752 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Dec, 1909- 



are designed to ascertain the measure of a farmer's progress on modern 

 lines. A narrow rotation of cereals only, with no inclusion of legumes, 

 roots, rape, maize, sorghums, millets or grasses, means that the artificial 

 manure bill must be higher than should be the case on a well-managed 

 farm. 



The number of stock kept, provision for their water supply and the 

 care given to farm implements rank next in importance. The points 

 awarded under these headings will illustrate the ideas of the farmer on 

 stock management and economy. 



Of the remaining points, the manner of working the different paddocks, 

 the locality of dams, windmills, &c., the style and convenience of the- 

 dwelling and outbuildings, and the plan and maintenance of the same- 

 will afford farmers an opportunity of having a friendlv unbiassed criti- 

 cism. Tree planting, especially where needed in unsheltered open countrv. 

 is a matter well worth the attention of all land-holders. 



Crop Competitions. 

 Numerous societies will undertake crop competitions. In the majority 

 of districts these will be confined to wheat or oats, and in a few localities, 

 to maize for green fodder and roots. The points obtainable are as. 

 follow : — 



For cereal crojjs intended for grain — 



Freedom from wild oats and weeds .. ... ... ... 10 



Purity of type ... ... ... ... . . ... 10 



Freedom from wmut, rust, take-all or whiteheads ... ... 10 



Estimated yield per acre ... ... 1 point for each bushel 



For cereal crops intended for hay — 



Uniformity of growth ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 



Freedom from weeds of all kinds .. ... ... ..10 



Character of the straw and flag ... ... .. 10 



Estimated yield per acre .. ... ... 10 points for each ton 



For maize, sorghnm, or millet crops (jroirn for green fodder — 



System of planting ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 



Variety of seed used ... ... ... . ... .. 5 



Character and number of cultivations given ... ... ... 15 



Height of crops ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 



Estimated yield of green fodder per acie ... ."> points for each ton 



Boot crops, s9(c/i as sugar heet. maiigold'i. or turnipx — 



Sj'stem of planting ... ... ... ... ... .. 1<* 



Kind and number of cultivations given ... ... ... ... 10 



Estimated yield per acre ... ... ... ."> points for each ton 



If competitions embracing other crops, such as lucerne, rape, potatoes. 

 or legumes, should occur, special conditions will be provided. 



It is the desire of the Department of Agriculture that farmers shall 

 enter for district competitions of the above character. The intrinsic value 

 of the prize is worth much less than the credit of winning, and, more 

 over, the healthy spirit engenrlered by the competitions does much to pro- 

 mote progressive methods on the farm. 



