26o Journal uj AgnciiUiirc. [lo April, 1909. 



indicating that tlie number of ears on each plant affected with the flag 

 smut fungus would l)e reduced, on an a\erage, about one-half. But when 

 we come to consider the grain produced in each case, then it is found 

 that the yield from the healthy plants is fully three times that of the 

 diseased plants, as shown in C and D. 



Other experiments in pots and in plots proved that the smut of rye 

 and of wheat are not mutually infective, so that the name given to flag 

 smut of wheat b\ Koernicke in 1877, who received specimens from R. 

 Schomljurgk in South Australia should be retained, viz., Urocystis tritici. 



During the forthcoming season there will be special experiments carried 

 out at Burnlev, Dookie, and Longerenong in connexion with the treatment 

 of the seed for smut with various substances, in order to arrive at the 

 cheapest, most effecti\e, and most easilv applied. In each case the ner- 

 centage of germination will he observed. Smut-resistant varieties will 

 also receive attention. The rust-free varieties will again be tested and 

 Triticujn monococcum. will be tried, as it is said to be exceptionally immune 

 to rust. 



It is always well to have high ideals, even although they may seem 

 distant of realization, and who knows but a serviceable wheat mav vet be 

 evolved resistant to both rust and smut? 



ALEXANDRA FODDER CROP COMPETITION. 



-4. V . Becker, Dairy Supervisor . 



Report to the Secretary, Alexandra Agricultural Society 



The crops (maize) were, on the whole, considering they were sown 

 broadcast, exceptionally good, and speak volumes for the quality of the 

 soil on the Goulburn flats. Thev might have been even better, had they been 

 sown at the rate of about f-lnishel per acre, instead of, as in three or four 

 instances, 2 bushels. 



Nearly all the competitors failed in the Varieties they chose for 

 sowing, the majority sowing Flat Red and Ninetv Day — the two 

 worst varieties on the market for fodder. The difference in colour, 

 growth, and .strength of plant was most marked in those plots containing 

 White Horse Tooth and in one good plot of Hickory King. 



The general dirtiness of the land impressed me more than anything, 

 manv ^•arieties of weeds being strongly in evidence on all the headlands 

 and around the edges of the crops; docks, fat hen, thistles, wild mustard, 

 Bathurst burr, and .several other prolific seeders were seen all over the 

 flats. The majority of the plots could be considerably improved by re- 

 moving the stumps, instead of ploughing around them and leaving them 

 to harbor the weeds enumerated, and letting them seed in the centre of 

 the cultivation. 



Some of the competitors lost ]X)ints by allowing stock to wander 

 through their plots; and in one inst.nnce se\eral calves were to be seen 

 roaming through the maize during the inspection, whirh shows bad fences 

 or careless management. It is a .short-sighted j)olicy to grow a good fodder 

 crop, and then, for the sake of a few hours' work in straining up the 

 wires or repairing the fence, perhaps, waste a ton or two of good fodder. 



The winning crop was an exceptionally fine one, being evenly and 

 lightlv sown (:^-bushel per acre), and evfn in growth. The land was 



