Journal of Agriculture . [8 May, 1908. 



of coping with Phylloxera, Locusts, Scale insects, and Aphides were given. 

 A lantern lecture was also given on Australian exploration. Whenever a 

 pest, insect or fungus, is in evidence, in the vineyard, orchard, nursery, 

 garden, or farm, it is made the text for an address on its life history and 

 means of controlling or eradication. The boys are keen on noticing any 

 new pest, and the awakening of this \igilance cannot be over-estimated as 

 -in educational factor. 



The ministers of Rutherglen regularly attend and conduct services. A 

 .harvest festival service was conducted by the Rev. C. Fowler, and the 

 variety and excellence of the products used in the decorations were highly 

 commended by the visitors who attended. 



During the Principal's absence on leave owing to a breakdown in health, 

 JNfessrs. Wilkinson (foreman) and Brooke (farm manager) excelled them- 

 selves in their loyal and energetic efforts. The successes achieved here are 

 largelv due to their unremitting attention throughout the year, backed up 

 bv the members of the staff. 



Mount Xavier Experimental Farm, Ballarat. 



A. Kenny, Manager. 



Crops. — Maize. — The maize crop turned out fairly well. Some of it 

 was very good, fully 6 feet high, whilst that in the clayey ground did not 

 do so well, but on the whole the crop was satisfactory, more especially 

 seeing that there was no rain of anv consequence during the quarter. Had 

 the rains that Ballarat generally gets in February or early in March fallen, 

 there w^ould have been a good crop. The maize was sown in drills 

 3 feet apart. The land between was kept well cultivated and the result 

 showed that good crops can be grown \\ithout irrigation if the land is well 

 broken up and kept open. 



Potatoes. — In consequence of the (-(jntinued drv weather the crop will 

 be similar to those in other parts of the State where no rain has fallen. 

 In fact the potato crop in the Bungaree district (especially those planted 

 earlv in .\o\-ember) will be very jDOor. The later planted potatoes will be 

 the best. The crop on the farm will be very fair in some parts provided 

 there are no frosts during April. The land will be much benefited by the 

 cultivation it received. 



Green Fodder. — Five acres have been sown with a mixture of barley, 

 rve. peas, l:)eans, and oats. The barley and rve are nicelv up and look 

 well. 



Ploughing. — In January all the land that had been cropped with 

 ha\ got a thorough good ploughing with the single furrow plough ;_ since 

 then it has been harrowed, disced, rolled, and cultivated with the cultivator 

 and is now in splendid tilth for cropping. The land that was cropped with 

 maize is being ploughed and will be similarly dealt with. About 30 acres 

 will be ready by the second w^eek in April for sowing wdth half oats and 

 half wheat. 



Sundry Works. — It was found necessary during the last two weeks to 

 put on three labourers to bevel off the sides of the main open channels and 

 to cart the soil that had been excavated from the channels into the low 

 places. This will add very much to the appearance of the farm. A drain 

 has also been cut to divert the flood water from the Railway into the 

 main channel. 



Stock. — The horses are doing very well. They are in excellent health 

 and working condition. 



