88 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo Feb., 1909 



situated together with windmills, troughs, &c., cannot be overestimated. 

 It is highly pleasing to note that such a good storage of water has been 

 provided for by all four competitors. Mr. Crouch has erected a new wind- 

 mill supplying troughs in paddock, stables, &c. Mr. Sanders' water 

 supply extends to orchard, piggery, sheep dip, stables, and paddoclcs, and 

 his two fine dams are well worthy of mentioning. Mr. R. Dickinson has 

 also a splendid supply of water for stock, each one of his paddocks being 

 provided with dams ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yards. In Mr. Allen's 

 case I have had to consider that in some of his paddocks, so far, no water 

 has been conserved. 



(I) The Best Arranged Dwelling and Outbuildings- — 20 points. — Ele- 

 gance and comfort for the dwelling and convenience for the outbuildings 

 are evidently the factors which guide the farmers in your district. I was 

 much impressed with the up-to-date conveniences in existence, not only in 

 the dwelling, but also in stables and wool-sheds. Mr. G. Crouch's new 

 well-ventilated galvanized iron stable, replete with the latest improve- 

 ments, installation of acetylene gas, and water pipes for troughs, ad- 

 jacent chaff -shed, &c., is indeed a model of construction and comfort. 

 Mr. W. Sanders' splendid wool-shed, with shearing machine, has also 

 much to commend it. Both these gentlemen make use of acetylene gas 

 in their commodious homesteads. Dwellings and outbuildings of the 

 other two competitors, Messrs. Allen and Dickinson, while perhaps lacking 

 in some conveniences, are no less substantial and comfortable, the well- 

 kept flower garden of INIr. Dickinson deserving a special word of praise. 



(J) Best Reserve of Fodder of Any Kind — 15 points.— ^\t\\ the ex- 

 ception of a little straw, no provision has been made by any of the com- 

 petitors, the prospects of a good season and the high prices ruling for 

 hay having induced them to part with their stocks. 



(K) Best Efforts in Direction of Tree Planting — 5 points. — Little 

 comment need be made in this direction, but, if anything, I think that 

 all four competitors err rather on the side of not having planted a sufficient 

 number of such quick-growing and ornamental trees as sugar gums or 

 pepper trees. 



(L) Farm and Stock Insurance — 10 points. — In three cases the rule 

 prevailed of insuring dwellings and stock, the exception being Mr. Allen, 

 who only insures his entire horse. 



After having very carefully considered the different points from which 

 a judge should look upon every detail, I have come to the following 

 conclusion : — 



Three-fourths of a Farmer's Wheat Crop on Fallowed Land. 



Ten entries were received in connexion with the competition. The 



principal point for comment this year is that most of the crops are dirty 



with wild oats, and are affected more or less with whiteheads and take-all. 



The vield in most cases must be considered a highly satisfactory one. 



