J32 .lournul (>i Anrirnlini-f. \"icf(>ria. [10 MAKrii- IDli). 



of larger size, say, of 2,240 acres, i.e., an aggregation of seven of tlie 

 original Wocks, a fairly typical instance of the cropping system followed 

 is each year to sow about 470 acres of cereals, of which, say, 320 would 

 be Avheat, and 150 oats, while 820 acres would be fallowed. On the 

 rest, supplemented 'by the stubbles, &e., but Avithout any special effort 

 to improve the (piality or quantity of the natural feed, from 1,000 to 

 1.400 sheep would be carried. 



An analysis of the farming systems of rlic ton tyj)ical farms pre- 

 viously referred to as ipossessing an average of 1.500 acres shows that 

 on this average farm— 



1 acre in every 5.7 is annually sown to wheat, 



1 acre in. every 5.8 is annually fallowed, 



1 acre in every 14.5 is annually sown to oats. 

 The remaining 812 acres are under natural grass, and on it, j-oughly, 

 500 sheep are maintained. Two of these farms contain some mallee 

 land, lience the number of shec]) is probahly somewhat on the low side. 



Some of the Lines of Future Progress. 



Though the almost uniform dependence on the system of farming 

 mentioned, together AAnith the erops named, is most striking, the results 

 achieved by certain individual farmers are definite enough to point 

 the way in which ])rogress may be made in the future. 



.Vtte>;ti()>' to tue Fallows. 



From a wheat-growing point of view, the special attributes of the 

 most successful men and the points to which they find detailed attention 

 necessary have already been referred to. The same men regularly 

 obtain maximum yields, but among the rank and file there is plenty ot 

 room for improvement. 



Perhaps the direction in which the majority can easily effect refoiiu 

 is in the maintenance of the fallows; there is a tendency to trust too 

 much to the sheep to keep the fallow in order, which is frequently per- 

 mitted to set down for months, and a bare minimum of cultivation is 

 given. 



It is certain that this method, while it can be followed on large 

 holdings with (benefit to the sheep and with economy of labour, is not 

 the one that gives the maximum yields of wheat. On smaller farms, 

 where the unit of plant is sufficient to cultivate the fallow as often as 

 may he desirable, the greatest net profit can only be realized when the 

 whole of the necessary work is done and the maximum yield secured. 



An example, amoug a number of othei-s, of a large farm, where 

 considerable attention is ])aid to cultivation of the fallow, is that oi 

 Mr. C. F. H. Reichelt, at Woorak West. This farm of 1,300 acres is 

 on the " fringe " country, and also contains some mallee land. A 

 paddock of black soil, on which the winning crop this year Avas grown, 

 received the folloAving treatment: — It was ploughed in June and July, 

 and cross^harrowed after a rain. It was spring-toothed in September 

 and subsequently cross-harrowed. In October, it was cultivated Avith « 

 cultivating-scarifier, and then harrowed. In Feibiuary, after 120 points 

 of rain, it. was spring-toothed. Portion was again spring-toothed in 

 April after being sown Avitji ;i cultivator di'ill. 



