11 A LIU., 1919. J 



Fa/rm Kotas for July. 



495 



The green crops of barley and oats are growing strong, but the rape 

 seems to have come to a standstill with some of its leaves turning to a 

 purple colour. The plots to be fed off this year were, therefore, stocked 

 with sheep on 26th July. Small insects — resembling red spiders — known 

 as pea mites have done considerable damage to the rape on the experi- 

 mental plots this year. In the manurial field the plots which were given 

 a dressing of farm-yard manure, and those which received superphos- 

 phate look the best at present. Similar results are apparent on the plots 

 which were sown with a conJbination crops of oats and peas without 

 manure to test the residual effect of the fertilizers used in previous 

 years. 



Summer Forages. 



Ten acres have been ploughed preparatory to working to a fine tilth 

 and seeding to experimental summer forage crops. The value of amplft 

 reserves of fodder is fully recognised at Werribee and at the present 

 juncture the growth and conservation of fodder crops is well worth the 

 serious consideration of all stock owners. The absence of good winter 

 rains over a considerable area of the stable and the possibility of a 

 short dry spring brings into prominence the question of providing 

 sufficient feed to carry the increased number of stock through the com- 

 ing summer. Lucerne has undoubtedly maintained its reputation as 

 " King of Summer Fodder Crops " at Werribee. Maize is also a good 

 summer crop under irrigation. The following list affords a comparison 

 of the average yield of some of the best of the other irrigated forages 

 giown during the past two yeai's : — 



Crop. 



1. Imphee or Planter's Friend 



2. Early Orange Cane 



3. Early Amber Cane 



4. Sorghum Saccharatum 



5. Yellow Branching Mile Maize 



6. Sudan Grass 



7. Japanese Millet . . 



8. Pearl or Egyptian Millet . . 



Remarks. 



Weights recorded late in the 

 autumn, and to some extent 

 indicate the varieties which 

 have kept green and succu- 

 lent the longest. 



Imphee or Planter's Friend is generally a heavy yielder, has a softer 

 stem than Sorghum or Amber Cane, and not only withstands dry con 

 ditions well but being som.ewhat resistant to cold and early frosts it 

 carries well into the autumn and early winter. 



Early Orange Cane is somewhat similar to Amber Cane, but has 

 given a better yield. Sudan Grass resenJbles a miniature Sorghum,, 

 and has fine stems. Tho'is'h it looked well it did not weisfh uo as well as 

 the other forages. All the sorghums require to be left till well in flower 

 or else cut a day or so before being fed to stock. Japanese Millet, how- 

 ever, can be fed off ^t any tim© without danger, and is probably the 

 mast suitable millet for this purpose. 



