10 AvKir,, U>li). I (lorok-v Crop and Fallow Comprtitiofi. 197 



WjIEAT-(iRO\VING ON THE SiLTY SoiLS. 



Tt lias already been remarked that on the silty soils the effeot of th(? 

 puddling is serious alike to germination and growth. Puddling is 

 accentuated by frequent cultivation, and it, therefore, follows that this 

 working should be reduced to a minimum; but it is quite possible that 

 to do away with it altogether, as is the general tendency at present, has 

 other disadvantages. Two that may be mentioned arise primarily from 

 the complete lack of moisture in the fallow during the summer months, 

 which the ])resent practice has been proved to bring about. The first 

 of the two is that, in the absence of water, certain vital soil functions, 

 such as nitrate formation, do not proceed, and the second is that the 

 seeding time is then necessarily dependent on the incidence of the 

 autumn rainfall, which is generally light and uncertain. Dry sowing is 

 to be deprecated on these soils, as a heavy rain after seeding will set the 

 loose soil down like a cement, and the grain is, perhaps, partially or 

 totally destroyed. 



From these considerations, in the absence of practical tests, it would 

 appear that possibly at least two cultivations should be given at two 

 critical periods during the year, preferably with an implement that will 

 leave as nubby a surface as possible The conservation of a reasonable 

 amount of moisture would jjermit of advantage being taken of mid-April 

 rains, even though light, ro sow the crop with the certainty that it would 

 continue to do well. On these soils it might be well to use the cultivator- 

 drill, in this way doing away with one cultural operation, and, there- 

 fore, avoiding uunecess:iry pulverizing of the ground. If late maturing 

 varieties of wheat, such as Yandilla King and Penny, are sown thu.s 

 early, there is a much better chance of their resisting the usual wet 

 winter experienced, and, further, of the young crop actually reducing 

 the puddling which is lai'gely brought about by the beating action of 

 the rain on the bare soil. The effect of a young erop in sheltering the 

 surface is considerable. Furthermore, a crop well established is much 

 better able to resist excessive wet than germinating grain. Mid-April 

 sowing is most successful at Rutherglen. 



If the crop becomes too forward, as is likely in a favorable year, it 

 may be eaten oif. In other years this would not be necessary. Seeing 

 that the packed surface is so deleterious to the growing crop, a good 

 harrowing of the crop after it is well up should prove an advantage. 

 This practice on a somewhat similar, though heavier, soil at Tfutliprglen 

 Experiment Station has proved payable. 



On such land, seeing that the germination is likely to be low, heavier 

 dressings of seed than are usual in the wheat districts Avill probably 

 prove profitable. Possibly 60 lbs. would be the best amount with whicli 

 to start the April sowing, progressively increasing the quantity up to 

 Ij bushels to the acre as the season advances. 



It seems to be pretty well established that dressings of superphos- 

 phate, in the vicinity of 1 cwt. to the acre, are the most payable on this 

 class of soil. The residual effect of these heavy dressings of manure 

 on the grass is most im])ovtant. 



It should be noted thiit n dcfi-ieney of organic matter in the soil is 

 the root of the whole trouble. Anv well-thought-out system of farming 

 will aim at gradually reli(n-ini>- that. Wheat stubbles should be 



