lo March, 1909.] Experimental Wheat Fields, 1908-9. 



137 



EXPERIMENTAL WHEAT FIELDS, \\m-\). 



Report on the Seven- Year Fields. 

 /''. E. Lee, Agricultural Superintendent. 



The present report deals witli the resuhs of the fourth year's crops upon 

 the experimental wheat fields conducted under agreement with the Depart- 

 ment for a term of 7 years. The endeavour has been made from year to 

 \ ear to investigate soil problems under practical conditions, and at the same 

 time to afford the owner of the land an opportunity to test the suitability 

 of a number of selected wheat varieties under local conditions of soil and 

 climate. In the carrying out of this policy the inspecting officers have been 

 able to familiarize themselves with the methods and prejudices of the wheat- 

 grower throughout the north. As the result of the mutual exchange of ideas, 

 I have formed the opinion that a great number of wheat-growers do not 

 give the necessary attention they should to seed selection, nor does there 

 appear to be much attempt made towards differential cultivation in soils of 

 widely dissimilar character. 



These facts are stated not in any disparaging spirit, but simply because 

 they seem to be logical reasons why the average yield of wheat in Victoria 

 remains stationary. The want of uniformity in the character of many of 

 the soils in northern Victoria largely increases the difficulty of recommend- 

 ing any specific course of soil treatment which would meet all cases. It 

 must be patent, however, to any observer that the red cla^- soils throughout 

 the Wimmera differ widely from the black friable loams and sandy soils ; 

 this difference is not only in texture but in plant food constituents as well. 

 The moisture holding capacity of each type of soil also varies considerably. 

 To illustrate the necessity for a different method of cultivation to suit each 

 class of soil, where such is in sufficiently large areas, the following samples 

 were selected in the Echuca district, representing fairlv extensive areas of 

 each type. The samples are surface soils only. 



Soil Analyses, Echuca District. 



Mechanical Aiialvsis. 



It is not difficult to understand that soils of the sandy, sandy loam, and loam 

 types, containing from 46 to nearly 90 per cent, of sand, are not only easv 

 to work but are also easy to preserve in that loose surface condition wherebv 

 the loss of moisture is checked. The clay loam and clay types, which con- 

 stitute such a large portion of the Wimmera and northern plain country, 

 on the other hand, are made up of much finer particles. After rain, these 

 soils run together and bake easily ; hence they require to be cultivated at a 

 different time or in a different manner to those containing a greater propor- 

 tion of sand. Clay soils are no less well furnished in the elements of plant 

 food, but their physical comlition or texture prevents them in many ca.ses 

 from producing maximum results. It mav also be said that clav soils 



