10 Feb., 1919.] Minyip Crop and Fallow Competition. 



69 



The Rotations. 



The rotation followed is mainly wheat, oats, grass, and fallow — the 

 ordijiary Wimmera rotation. An average of five farms showed that — 



1 acre in every 3 was sown to wheat. 

 1 acre in every 10 was sown to oats. 

 1 acre in every 3.4 was sown to grass. 

 1 acre in every 3.3 was sown in fallow. 



Seeing that one-third of the farm at any one time is in grass, and 

 seeing that the herbage which follows the cereal crop comes as a result 

 of chance, it is evident that could a suitable plant for temporary pasture 

 be discovered, it would, if sown, prove the means of considerably 

 enhancing returns. 



The Judging. 



The prizes are awarded on points (enumerated below) calculated 

 to encourage good farming. In the crop section, points are alloted, 

 in addition to those for yield, for freedom from disease, absence of 

 weeds, and purity and trueness to type of the variety of wheat shown, 

 and for the level, even character of the crop. 



It should be noted that the figures for apparent yield are assessed 

 at the day of judging, and can take no account of the subsequent history 

 of the crop. In the fallow the main consideration is the conservation 

 of moisture, so this is tested by digging; and since the loose soil on top 

 assists in retaining that moisture, points are awarded for effective 

 mulch. Additional points are also allowed for freedom from weeds 

 and judgment displayed in cultivation. 



The Results. 

 Crops. 



Comments. 



The best part of Mr. Mackenzie's crop was sown on summer fallow. 

 The previous crop was wheat. The stubbles were burnt and the land 

 disced in March; it was skim-ploughed in August and scarified twice in 

 the spring; harrowed after rain in February; scarified in May; and then 



