132 Journal of Agriculture. [10 March, 1910. 



Northern Plains. — Federation exceeds all other varieties by a bushel 

 per acre. Yandilla King, however, produced nearly 4 bushels per acre 

 more than Federation on the same plot (W. Sproat's) at Donald. Another 

 variet} which has yielded consistently well is Australian Talavera. Of 

 the other two varieties, College Purple Straw did well, but in no case 

 did the yield exceed that of Federation. It has decided advantages as a 

 hay wheat. Jumbuck is reported as liable to shell, and the low returns 

 in some cases are due to this loss. 



Wijnmera. — In no place in the State has Federation vielded so con- 

 sistentlv well as in the Wimmera. The magnificent average vield of 28.8 

 bushels per acre, with a maximum crop of 35 bushels, constitutes a record 

 in experimental field work. Yandilla King has yielded 5 bushels per acre 

 less on the average than Federation. Australian Talavera is 3! bu.sbels 

 per acre behind Yandilla King, the next varieties in order of yield being 

 College Purple Straw and Jumbuck. 



Mallee and fringe. — In the Mallee and fringe. Federation sustains its 

 first defeat for the premier position as a grain wheat. Under identical 

 conditions at Watchem, Xarraport, and Boort, Y'andilla King gave superior 

 returns. At Nhill, Rainbow and Jeparit, Federation gave the better 

 returns. While it is far too early to form a definite conclusion upon the 

 matter, I must point out that, in the western portion of the Mallee and 

 fringe country, Federation has vielded consistently better than on the 

 eastern side. Especial efforts will be made to confirm this fact next 

 season. 



Australian Talavera again holds third place to Yandilla King and 

 Federation. It is evident that this is approximatelv its true comparison 

 as a grain producer. Jumbuck occupies fourth place for the Mallee 

 group in place of College Purple Straw. It is curious that few, if anv. 

 cases were reported from the Mallee fields, of Jumbuck shelling its grain. 

 It is just possible that a rather earlier harvesting escaped the heavv winds 

 prevailing at that time, hence a greater proportion of grain harvested. 



The general averages for each variety, regardless of locality, entirelv 

 confirm the order of precedence as grain producers. Federation has fairlv 

 won and worthily maintained the hia:h opinions formed of it, when intro- 

 duced into Victoria bv the writer five years ago. Upon a wide range of 

 soils, and under a variety of weather conditions, it has vielded consistently 

 well, and may, with al>solute certainty, be recommended as a grain wheat 

 in anv district in northern Victoria. 



Conclusion. 



The writer takes this opportunitv to state that, from henceforth, new 

 duties will occupv him elsewhere, and the continuance of the experimental 

 field work will be in other hands. It is difficult to adequately express 

 the obligations the writer is under to those farmers who have so whole- 

 heartedly and sympathetically assisted him in carrying on these wheat 

 experiments during the past five years. That they have served a useful 

 and practical purpose, and have added largely to the wealth of the State, 

 is evidenced by the universal popularity and extensive growth of Federa- 

 tion wheat. 



The work of improving the State vield of wheat is laid down with a 

 considerable amount of personal regret which is tempered by the knowledge 

 that the wheat-grower is now sufficientlv alive to the fact that the work 

 must go on without interruption. \ further acknowledgment is due to 

 the patience, loyalty and co-operation of the officers of the Field Branch, 

 through whose efforts the field operations were carried into effect. 



