276 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo May, 1 910. 



Oats and Baric v. — The AmarilU Oat closely resembles Algerian but 

 is reputed to be a heavier grain-yielder. 



Oat No. 136 is a cross between Carter's Royal Cluster and Algerian 

 and appears to yield quite as heavy a crop of hay as Algerian, and almost 

 as much grain as that variety. It should replace the white oats where 

 these are grown, as it produces a plumper sample of grain than the New 

 Zealand and Tasmanian oats when grown in this State. 



Some 120 rows were sown with a number of varieties obtained 

 from Mr. Peacock of the Bathurst Experiment Farm, N.S.W. ; also with 

 crossbreds which grew here last season. Algerian oats succeeded test 

 on an average. This variety was planted in every fifth row foj comparison 

 with the others. 



The barley yielded a good sample of grain, but this is not a certain 

 crop in the district and, except on soil of very uniform character, does 

 not ripen evenly. 



Varietv trial. — In the second week of June. 139 rows were sown as a 

 " varietv trial " with Pederation in every fifth row, the remainder being 



CROSSING WHEAT. 

 (An anther containing ]iollen is suspended from the end of the forceps.) 



planted with a different varietv in each. It is necessary to have check 

 rows of a standard variety at regular intervals so that accurate comparisons 

 mav be made. A number of plants selected from field crops in the 

 Wimmera were sown in this section ; a few of them exceeded Federation 

 in vield and will be further used in crossing. In consequence of the 

 crab-holey or uneven nature of the soil, it is found that more reliable 

 results are secured by comparing the yields of a given number of the test 

 plants in a plot, than bv weighing the produce of entire plots. 



