62 Journal of Agriculture. [ii Jan., ipop^ 



BALLAN MIXED FODDER CROP COMPETITION. 



Report to the Secretary, Ballan Agricultural Society. 



H . Ross, Field Oficcr. 



I beg to report that 1 have inspected the forage field of JNlr. H. 

 Vaughan, Ballan, who was the only competitor who entered for the prize 

 offered b}- your Society. The area of the field is 5 acres and comprises 

 maize, rape, jjotatoes and prairie grass. The land is of poor quality and 

 is generally considered not to be fit for cultivation. It was ploughed this 

 year for the first time. 



Two acres were sown with maize, with the addition of i cwt. super- 

 phosphate, and the crop is ma,king fair progress. A mistake has been miade 

 in sowing the maize only about 8 inches apart, thus not allowing room 

 for any intertillage. The potatoes (snowflakes) look very well and are 

 superior in growth to most of the crops in the district ; J cwt. of super- 

 phosphate was used. Prairie and cow grasses have done well ; it would ap- 

 pear that this class of soil is well suited to the growth of imported grasses- 

 and clover. Two acres were sown in October with rape and thousand 

 headed kale ; 5 lbs. rape and 35 lbs. superphosphate were used per aJcre. 

 The kale is affected by blight, but the rape is making vigorous growth. 



The Ballan district being one in which dairying is carried on ex- 

 tensively, it is surprising to find how little provision has been made in the 

 shape of summer fodders. The idea prevails amongst the local farmers- 

 that the poorer class of soil will not grow summer fodders or potatoes. 

 With the view of determining for himself Mr. Vaughan has carried out 

 practical experiments in his field -which have haid very satisfactory results- 



The dressings of superphosphate appear to me to be rather light 

 and I think that, with a heavier dressing and the addition of a small: 

 quantitv of sulphate of ammonia, still better results would be obtained. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Dt'iiartment has been organized toalar,uf extent for the purpose of givirg information 

 to farmers, (.^»uestions in every branch of aj{ricnlture are yladly answered. Write a short letter, giviiiff as- 

 full particulars as )>!)s<ilile, of 'your local conditions, and state iirecisely what it is that you want to know. 

 All inquiries must be accompanied by the name and address of tlic writer. 



Se.\SONIXG Timber. — A.K.C. wishes to know the best and quickest way to 

 season timber. 



Answer. — To season timber rapidly, cut into as tliin pLmks as possibh", 

 stack so as to leave air spaces between, and keep in a warm place with a steady 

 current of air circulating through the pile. Very rapid seasoning (by superheated 

 steam, &c.) usually dam.iges the timber more or less, and needs special apparatus. 

 To rapidly season standing timber, cut when the leaves are on in summer, previously 

 removing a large ring of bark at the base of the stem and the outermost rings of 

 wood (usually i to 2 inches deep is enough). Complete the cutting soon after all' 

 the leaves on the tree have shrivelled and finish the seasoning of the timber in the 

 usual way. The Forest Department would probably give additional or more de- 

 tailed information on seasoning. 



Lemons going Bl.\CK. — H.H. wishes to know the cause of lemons going 

 black. 



Answer. — Tt is due to a fungus consequent upon the trees being attacked 

 by scale insects. Spray with red oil emulsion at a strength of i in 30. 



