lo Sept., 1908.] 



.4 Prolific Pumpkin. 



SIS 



I am satisfied from my own observation that a great amount of the 

 non-success and low yields in potalo growing is due not so much to 

 insufficient or ignorant fertilisation as to indifferent methods of soil pre- 

 paration. There are few farmers who realise that ploughing, although 

 well done, if carried out at the wrong period discounts the chances of the 

 crop grown upon the land. Fertilisers also cannot be expected to operate 

 to the maximum if the soil conditions are below what they should be. 

 I offer this word of warning because, unfortunately, there are some who 

 believe that any deficiencies of cultivation can be made up bv the use of 

 fertilisers. This is not so, and can only inevitably discourage the farmer 

 who attempts it. 



The Field Branch projects a continuation of the experimental work 

 with potatoes and hopefully anticipates the solution of some of the diffi- 

 culties now so manifest through official figures concernmg this industry. 



A PROLIFIC PUMPKIK 



The prolific nature of the iron-bark pumpkin is well exemplified by the 

 yield of one plant grown by Mr. W. Loveland, of Marong. Twenty pump- 

 kins were gathered, fourteen of which are shown in the illustration. The 

 total yield of the plant was conservatively estimated at 900 lbs., and while 

 the grower is confident that 150 tons to the acre could be produced with 

 the treatment given, he approximates the yield at 120 tons. The plant was 

 grown on fallowed brown sandv loam, which was of fair fertility, and had 

 not been previously cropped. The land was worked to a depth of 14 mches, 

 the surface soil being kept on the top ; bonedust at the rate of 6 cwt. to the 

 acre was added. After providing for hou.sehold requirements the balance 

 of the crop was fed to stock which took to them well. The estimated vield 

 is based on 300 plants per acre. 



"The ini'ldlf one on the Iunncsi inw 

 about 75 lbs. ; and the smaller ones about 40 lb 



lir.l S; lbs 



the other large oiies 



