130 Journal of Agriculture. [10 March, 1910. 



It will be remembered, that loose soil bonds more easily, than is the case 

 where the soil is 'separated by a layer of grass, or stubble from the bottom 

 of the furrow. 



The fallowing on the experimental plots has, in the majority of cases, 

 been done earlier and the soil mulch has been better maintained thrcughout 

 the summer, than is the case on larger areas. The fact that higher yields 

 have followed such improved methods is a strong argument in their favour, 

 and points the way for a reduction of the large areas grown bv some wheat- 

 farmers and the concentration of energy and implements on smaller areas. 

 The saving in seed, manure, and time is more than sufficient as a set off 

 against more frequent working of the land. 



Upon the question of graded seed, I can speak emphatically. Federa- 

 tion wheat is not a large grain and, during grading, a rather high propor- 

 tion goes away as seconds and thirds, but the first grade seed is a prime 

 quality and in every way capable of producing vigorous plants. I go so 

 far as to say that no farmer should sow any wheat seed which has not 

 been graded, and the same principle might be applied to other farm 

 seeds with profit. 



It has been observed that the wheat upon the experimental fields 

 germinated more imiformly and quickly than is ordinarilv the case and, 

 moreover, the young crops did not seem so liable to checks in growth by 

 unfavourable weather conditions. This, I consider, is directly traceable 

 to the vigorous qualit}' of the graded seed. Manure may influence both 

 germinatio'i and vigour of voung crops tc a large extent, bul the vegetable 

 processes slow down if the plant is not capable of maintaining its progress, 

 by a well developed root svstem. 



Three Crops in Five Years on the Same Land. 



Reference to the table of results will show that, for five consecutive 

 years, Federation wheat has been grown on some of the plots. The yields 

 have shown no falling off, which goes far to prove that the producing 

 power of the land is not impaired bv such heavy cropping, provided it is 

 helped by other conditions. The following are the vields of five crops of 

 Federation in the Wimmera, Mallee, and fringe, and noi-thern plains: — 



Wimmera. — - 



C. Xowatna, Jung, average for 5 vea.rs, 31.3 bushels per acre. 

 A. Boyd, Minyip, average for 5 vears, 22.1 bushels per acre. 



A. Hutchings, Lubeck, average for 5 vears, 19.5 bushels per acre. 

 Mallee and fringe. — 



B. Lavery, Watchem, average for 5 years, 19.8 bushels per acre. 

 A. Barber, Narraport, average for 5 years, 19.3 bushels per acre. 



D. B. Innes, Rainbow, average for 5 years, 17.6 bushels per acre. 

 W. Williamson, Boort, average for 5 years, 16.2 bushels per acre. 



North and North-Eastem Plains. — 



W. Sproat, Donald, average for 5 years, 28.8 bushels per acre. 

 Nixon Bros., Eddington, average for 5 years, 22.9 bushels per acre. 

 H. Pollard, Glenloth. average for 5 years, 12.0 bushels per acre. 

 Wheat Variety Yields for Last Season. 

 Federation wheat, like most other varieties, has shown a disposition 

 to favour certain soils and weather conditions. Other varieties with 

 reputations for prolificacy are constantly coming forward, hence the trials, 

 year after year, of varieties having good reputations against Federation. 

 A consideration of the returns which are grouped into districts, allows a 

 good idea to be formed of the suitability of varieties to particular districts. 



