10 Feb., 1916.] Xhill Crop and Fallow Competitions, 1915. 87 



Fallow No. 4. 



As would be expected, the same competitors take similar positions 

 in this section, and it will be interesting to see next year how the effect 

 of these fallows will affect the succeeding crops. On the whole, the 

 fallow exhibits were good, and in this department of farming the 

 Wimmera farmer is hard to beat. 



Early fallowing means not only more moisture, but more available 

 nitrogen, and the release of greater amounts of phosphoric acid and 

 potash, a firmer and finer seed bed, and, given a normal season, bigger 

 crops. 



Working the land at the right moment has important effects ' 

 respect to fallowing, and with the red ground particularly, which if 

 allowed to bake, is difficult to cultivate, this applies with much force. 

 In fact, doing the right thing at the right time is one of the great 

 secrets of fanning generally. 



IjV a natural state, animals live on green fodder ; it is their natural food, 

 and, as a consequence, they thrive on it. But when animals, as in 

 present-day farming, have been domesticated, the case is a little different. 

 Care requires to be exercised in changing the diet from dry to green 

 food. It should not be done too suddenly. The green stuff should be 

 fed -in combination Avith old hay, the green fodder being gradually in- 

 creased and the proportion of hay reduced. 



Lucerne is one of the most nourishing animal foodstuffs, as is indicated 

 by the analysis of the plant. When it is coming into bloom it contains 

 the following percentages: — Albuminoids 18.47, fat 1.14, carbohydrates 

 64.04. . " 



Provide plenty of clean, fresh water for the calves during hot weather. 

 Those getting milk require water in addition to their other drink, and 

 il is surprising what a (luantity they will utilize. 



RoucniLY speaking, the number of sheep csiinKited to be in existence at 

 the present time is some 615,000,000. Of these, one-third at least are 

 found witliin the confines of the British Empire. 1'liis fact at once 

 shows the importance of the flock-owning industry to the welfare of our 

 own I'jii|iire and country. 



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