304 Journal of Agriculture. [10 May, 19 10.- 



well, and were developing nicely ; and tlie crop in this stage would weigli 

 about 18 tons per acre. 



In order of inspection, the next farm was that of Mr. Wildes, of 

 Lang Lang, on the opposite side of the creek. Mr. Wildes' 4 acres of 

 maize were included in a crop of several acres that was being cut and fed 

 to the milking stock. It was of Hickory King, sown broadcast in the second' 

 week in October at the rate of 2 bushels to the acre. It came up thinly, 

 probably not more than one-third of the seed germinating ; but it came 

 fairly evenly, and made excellent growth. It was the best quality maize 

 inspected, being fairly well cobbed throughout, about 8 feet high, and 

 running 20 tons 6j cwt. to the acre. 



Pumpkins and mangolds made up the other acre of fodder here. Both- 

 these crops were sown at the end of October, and the rows had been kept 

 clear of weeds till the end of the year. The pumpkins were the most 

 forward crop .seen; a good proportion of the fruit was very large and well 

 matured, and they showed equal to 38I tons per acre. The mangolds 

 were the Long Red variety, sown with 3 lbs. of seed to the acre, in drills 

 about 3 feet apart, thinned, and kept clear of weeds. In places, the 

 sowing might have been a little more even ; but the plants were making 

 good growth, the crop being equal to lof Ions per acre. This paddock 

 had been in grass for some six years past, and was broken up for this 

 season's cropping. 



From the condition of these fodder crops. I would consider that they 

 could be sown earlier than is the rule in this district. Maize sown in drills- 

 parly in October, at the rate of about 35 lbs. to the acre, and kept clear 

 of weeds, would have every chance of cobbing out well before the autumn 

 frosts. Several maize crops have already been slightly affected by frosts, 

 and few of them are showing cob. 



The last crop to be inspected was that of Mr. Priestly of Yannathan^ 

 This maize was in drills 26 inches apart, and was sown by a lad dropping, 

 it by hand from a potato-planter. The amount used had not been noted,- 

 but it was far too heavy a seeding, for the plants were crowding each other. 

 It was put in on 22nd November, with i cwt. of bonedust and super- 

 phosphate to the acre. It had been horse-hoed once, and hand-cleaned' 

 ^wice ; and it was the cleanest and best cared for crop of maize inspected. 

 Notwithstanding its being too thickly sown, there was still a fair propor- 

 tion of cobs showing. It was about 8 feet high, and weighed out equal 

 to 20 tons 13 cwt. per acre. 



The acre section was in mangolds, turnips, and field carrots. The 

 first two were splendid crops ; but the carrots were somewhat unevenly 

 sown, and not very forward. This ground was sown with onions in 

 September; but as they did not show up well it was ploughed again, and' 

 Ae several crops sown with a hand-drill. It previously had been given 

 a good dressing of farmyard manure. 



The mangolds were a very even crop of Long Red. well cleaned, and 

 fairly well grown ; and were estimated to yield at the rate of 29 tons 13 cwt. 

 per acre. Two kinds of turnips were sown. Purple Top Swede and' 

 Purple Top Aberdeen, the latter producing the larger and more even roots. 

 However, both were good, and the crop was estimated to yield at the rate 

 of 35 tons 8 cwt. per acre. Two^ kinds of carrots also were sown, white and 

 yellow, and they gave every promise of a good crop. All the crops on 

 this acre were kept clean, and well cultiwited ; and had a very attractive- 

 appearance. 



The points awarded in judging each section are given herewith. 



