438 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 1919. 



FARM NOTES FOR MAY AND JUNE. 



RESEARCH FARM, WERRIBEE. 



The Eesearcli Farm is situated in the well-knowu hay-growing 

 district of Werribee, about 20 miles from Melbourne. The average 

 rainfall is about 21 inches annually. 



The farm manager, Mr. H. C. Wilson, in his report on the operations 

 for May and June, states that the farm teams were able to commence 

 cultivation early this year, thanks to the exceptionally heavy rains in 

 Febniary and early March, when nearly 9 inches were recorded. 

 Subsequently, however, no rain fell until 23rd May, so that the two 

 critical sowing months of the year were dry. During June, 119 points 

 were registered. 



The oat crops sown during the dry spell have germinated rather 

 patchily, particularly on the clay land. In the " shandy " crops of 

 Algerian oats and Warden wheat, intended for hay, it was noticed that 

 the oats germinated much better than the wheat during the dry spell. 

 Rape sown immediately after the March rains suffered during the dry 

 spell, but freshened up considerably with the inch of rain which fell 

 in May. 



Owing to the persistent dry weather experienced during the nonnal 

 sowing months, farmers in the district were faced with the prospect 

 of either sowing wheat dry or of holding off till rain fell, in which 

 case they took the risk of having to sow late under conditions un- 

 favorable alike to germination and effective and continuous work. 



At the Research Fann, in view of the large area to sow, it was 

 decided to risk the possible malting of the grain and to sow dry, and 

 the sowing of wheat was, therefore, commenced on 16th May on a dry 

 seed bed. The rain which followed a week later has resulted in an 

 excellent germination. 



• During the present season 805 acres have been sown on the farm, 

 comprising: Wheat, 220 acres; oats, 140 acres; "shandy," 210 acres; 

 barley, 100 acres; rape, 60 acres. In addition, 75 acres have been sown 

 in the experimental plots. 



The farm manager finds that the hay made from Algerian oats 

 and Warden wheat sown together, or " shandy," as it is called, is 

 superior to that from either of the cereals sown by themselves. It is 

 found to be very palatable, to retain its colour, and to weigh heavily. 



The following varieties of wheat have been sown in bulk areas for 

 distribution to farmers in 1920 : — Federation, Penny, Yandilla King, 

 Dart's Imperial, Warden, Currawa, Major, Canberra, and the new 

 crossbreds, Gallipoli and Graham. 



On the irrigation area 190 acres are now in lucerne, and 45 acres 

 in permanent pasture. The total area seeded in cereals, forages, and 

 irrigated crops amounts to 1,040 acres. Sixty acres have been fallowed 

 in preparation for next season's sowing. 



The general condition of the live-stock on the place is excellent; 90 

 head of cattle and 1,174 sheep are being maintained on the pastures and 

 forage crops. 



