10 March, 1919.] Nhill Farm Compctitiom^. 



137 



Mr. C. iH. Roedigcr is one of those who conduct their poultry depart- 

 ment on the right lines. The fowls are not permitted to stray and lay 

 anywhere, or to roost on the hinder reels. Proper yards are provided, 

 and a numher of fowls of tested strains have been purchased. Careful 

 attention is given to culling- unproductive ibirds and to the feeding. 



These few activities are quoted as thoroughly tested instances of 

 successful diversification. To express the matter in a nutshell, although 

 great improvenients in the future can be achieved by many in the returns 

 from the wheat crop, perhaps the biggest field lies in that part of the 

 farm which is at present allowed to take care of itself. 



An improved temporary pasture is badly needed for the sheep, while 

 in the direction of pigs or .poultry, &c., there are iliandsome suppile- 

 mentary returns awaiting exploitation. 



The Competition, 1918. 



The Nhill Agricultural and Pastoral Society is to be congratulated 

 on the successful completion of the 16th competition held since the 

 inauguration in 1903. That the interest has been well sustained in the 

 district is evidenced by what is stated to be a record entry of com- 

 petitors, and that it has spread to other districts is shown by the sprout- 

 ing up of competitions modelled on the lines of that at JSThill. 



The season was distinguished by a wet May, which delayed the pre- 

 paration of the seed ibed, and 'by a dry September, which severely tested 

 the crops. It was noticeaible that those croips grown on fallow, where 

 efforts had been made to conseiwe the maximum of moisture by effective 

 mulching, stood out by themselves. The lack of rain in September also 

 interfered with the preparation of many of the pres-ent year's fallow 

 with the result that, on the whole, they were not so good .as usual. 



Results. 



No. 1. — Best Exhibited Half of Wheat Crop not less than 



75 Acres. 



