568 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Sept., 1919. 



FARM NOTES FOR AUGUST. 



EXPERIMENT FARM, RUTHERGLEN. 



The farm manager, Mr. P. B., O'Keefe, reports that during the 

 month there has been an appreciable rise in the temperature, both of soil 

 and air, with corresponding increase in plant growth, though som© frosts 

 have occurred. The crops have made excellent growth, though the rain- 

 fall for the past three months has been considerably below the average. 

 The fall for August was 125 points. The fact that all crops were sown 

 early on well-prepared land accounts for their favorable condition. 



The general shortage of grass is causing owners of stock considerable 

 anxiety. Reserves of fodder in this district are fast disappearing. 



Farm operations for the montt embrace fallowing, sowing of fodder 

 crops, harrowing crops, discing for lucerne, inter-tilling hand plots, culti- 

 vating pathways, ploughing roadways and plantations in experiment 

 field, pruning orchard and ornamental trees, tree-planting. 



Cultural Opeeations. 



A further 50 acres has been worked up and sown with rape, making 

 the area under this fodder 100 acres. Ploughing, preparatory to sowing 

 millet, is proceeding. The lucerne area in the Wallace paddock has been 

 worked to a fin© tilth for seeding, which will take place during September 

 or October. A small area at the pig-sties has been worked up for sowing 

 artichokes. 



Crops and Pastures. 



Grass. — Pasture grass is very scarce, the limited rainfall and heavy 

 frosts preventing rapid growth. Stubble land was grazed very closely 

 before ploughing so as to spare grass areas as much as possible. The 

 pasture available for sheep is being supplemented with grazing furnished 

 by oat and barley crops. Cows and young stock, in addition to pasture 

 grass, are given access to the oat crops, and receive a ration of chaff and 

 bran. 



Cro/}s. — All crops look remarkably well. The evaporation being low 

 they show no ill effect from the dry conditions prevailing. The oat 

 crop in No. 14 was showing a fair amount of cape-weed. It was 

 trampled solidly on the surface by grazing sheep, and consequently had 

 to be double-harrowed, and this pulled out most of the weeds and 

 mulched the surface of the land. Fifty acres of rape in the same field 

 are showing well above ground, and with spring rains should provide 

 abundance of feed. 



Live Stock. 

 Horses. — Twenty horses are still in work, half of the number being 

 employed on permanent improvement, experiment field, and vineyard. 

 The balance are fallowing and rolling farm areas. 



Dairy Herd. — Seven cows are in milk at present, five being newly 

 calved, and the average yield of milk per cow for the month, up to date, is 

 25 lbs. per day, with an average test of 3.9. Milk, cream, and butter 

 to the value of £14 have been sold. All cattle are in good condition, 

 especially the young stock. Some of the heifers by our Ayrshire 

 bull are showing excellent dairy quality. All bull calves have been 

 castrated. Fodder supply consists of green oats and grass pasture, with 

 the addition of a ration of chaff and bran at milking. All silage has 

 been consumed. 



