lo April, 1909.] Maize Grozciiig for Milk Production. 



213 



average farmer, simply because he has not tried it. To be the most 

 effective, these stirrings of the soil should take place directly after each 

 rain, provided the ground will permit. Experiments have proved that 

 a mulch 3 inches deep prevents a loss of ^6 per cent, of the moisture 

 which occurs when no mulch is used. The average saving by means of 

 mulches ranges from 25 per cent, to 50 per cent., varying with the par- 

 ticular depth culti\'ated. A delay of one week in spring or after a 

 good rain will result in a loss of moisture by evaporation equal to if 

 inches of rain, ov enough to tide a crop over a couple of weeks' severe 

 drought. The farmers in the northern areas and the Mallee country 

 are fast realizing this important method of conserving the moisture in the 



12. MR. GEORGE HOPE S PLOT. 



(i) Little Yankee, 6 ft. 6 in. ; (2) Funk's Yellow Dent, 7 fr.. 6 in. ; (3) Boone County Special, 8 feet. 



soil by a system of summer fallowing of their lands, thereby conserving 

 enough moisture in the ground before sowing the seed to tide the young 

 plants over a spell of dry weather next season. 



Photograph No. i shows a plot of Yellow Moruya which was sown 

 14th October, and germinated on the 21st; 11 ft. 4 in. high. It stooled 

 freely, one stool of three shoots, weighing 15 lbs. (See page 200). It is a 

 vigorous rank growing variety, comes to maturity rather late, and has 

 abundance of flag. On the 5th February, it weighed 55 tons 19 cwts. 

 per acre, and was just starting to cob. 



