10 Makoh, 1919. J Nhill Farm Competitions. 



143 



Comments on No. 3. 



The rainfall received at Nhill this season since wanter was a con- 

 siderable divergence from the nonual, thus — 



Tihe dry Septemlber and November rendered the task of determining 

 just how to treat the fallow a difficult one. None can tell how long a 

 dry spell will continue, so that the average season must always be 

 catered for. 



Those who place large dependence on the sheep in keeping the fallow 

 in order were rewarded with a firm seed bed, but at the cost of the mulch, 

 the sole guardian of the moisture during the summer months. Those 

 who depended on frequent workings as well as sheep, have found it 

 difficult to effect the necessary consolidation underneath, but they can 

 face the summei; well satisfied that the whole of the moisture will be 

 retained, and that consolidation will improve. The most successful 

 method this year has been a judicious combination of the use of sheep 

 with moderate working. Messrs. H. Reiehelt, Crouch Bros., and C. F. 

 FT. Reiehelt exhibited fallows whioh showed practically a maximum of 

 moisture. In the case of the two last-named the subsoil was of a par- 

 ticularly retentive clay. This had assisted in a somewhat defective 

 Jiulch, in retaining a full water content up to the present. The mulch 

 in the one case was too shallow, and in the second had been allowed to 

 form a surface skin. In the absence of rain and subsequent working 

 these two fallows may be expected to dry out wdth increasing rapidity 

 as the season advances. 



Mr. H. E^ifthelt's fallow, besides possessing a high percentage of 

 moisture, was eifectively mulched with an even 2^ inches of loose soil, 

 yet it was nicely consolidated. The best part of the fallow was ploughed 

 in April, and harrowed subsequently, and received three light soarify- 

 ings with the object of destroying weeds. Another portion was ploughed 

 ill June and harrowed; it was scarified in September. 



Ml'. Blackwood's fallow, which did not contain so much moisture 

 and somewhat lacked consolidation, was nevertheless well mulched, and 

 .should come throiigh either a wet or dry summer equally well. 



Mr. Peter Bone and Messrs. D. R. McKenzie and B. Petchell and 

 Mr. J. T. Duthie showed fallows that indicated care and cultivation, 

 but which were deficient in some other respect. 



