lo Dec, 1919.] Ouj/cn Farm Competition. 721 



shoots and but few snags, fire-breaks 20 feet wide had been ploughed 

 round each paddock. 



CONCLUSION. 



To sum up, there is no doubt that Victoria has a splendid asset i« 

 her new Mallee Settlements. The next decade is sure to witness 

 immense strides in this unique district. 



The history of numbers of the settlers has shown that wheat-growing 

 there is highly profitable when sound lines are followed. Some of 

 them have been indicated in this report. It is likely to be still more 

 profitable in the era of high prices for primary products now entered 

 upon. 



Two things hinder advancement — they are lack of capital and 

 lack of knowledge. Many unfortunately lack the necessary capital to 

 immediately put their ideas into practice; others, with or without 

 capital, are still wedded to unsound methods. 



To-day the Mallee is suffering from a harvest failure, which could 

 have been largely minimized had proper methods been followed. The 

 immediate i^roblem is, therefore, one of reconstruction. The necessity 

 for the provision of adequate reserves of fodder and water is once more 

 sharply impressed on those who unfortunately lack these vital sup- 

 plies. And the extreme importance of carefully-worked fallows has 

 again been conclusively demonstrated. There is no doubt that the 

 present dry spell will, just as did the drought in 1914, cause thousands 

 to flock to the banner of " Better methods." 



I have to thank the Acting Secretary, the gentlemen who acted as 

 stewards, and those who provided their cars, for their assistance and 

 courtesy during the work of judging, and also the various competitors 

 for their acceptable hospitality. 



HOW TO GROW WATTLE. 



The following is the best method of germinating wattle seed and 

 ] laiitirig out the seedlings:— 



1. Collect and clean the seed; label and put away in a dry place. 



2. Sow the seed during the spring months (not when collected). 



3. Sow in a shallow box, flower-pot, or in open ground. 



4. The soil for the box, &c., should consist of a mixture of sand, 



a quarter to a half of alluvial soil, and a quarter of broken 

 charcoal. 



5. Sow the seed thinly and press fii-mly into the receptacle used, 



covering over to the thickness of the seed with fine sifted 

 soil. 



6. Water copiously and afford ishade at the early stages of ger- 



mination. 



7. Finally, pot singly in flower pots, or in positions in open 



ground, selecting a dull or rainy day for the operation. 

 • The young plants should be about 3 to 4 inches long when planted 

 in their permanent positions. — -J. PI. Maiden (Agricultural Gazette of 

 New South Wales). 



