4IO Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo July, 1912^ 



A LAND OF SMALL HOLDIKGS— 



Japan is a country of which the agricultural system consists chiefly of 

 small holdings. As many as 55 per cent, of those who make a living out 

 of the soil cultivate less than 2 acres each, 30 per cent, less than 3 acres, 

 and 15 per cent. 4 acres or more. Few of the small farmers own horses or 

 other traction animals, and their implements are of a very primitive 

 description, but as large quantities of manure are used, and the soil is 

 cultivated to a good depth and frequently, the yield obtained is very- 

 abundant. Usually two or three crops are taken off in the course of twelve 

 months. Rice is the principal crop, and occupies about two'-fifths of the 

 arable land of the country, although the mulberry and tea are also largely 

 grown. Most of the farmers have some subsidiary occupation, such as 

 breeding silkworms and weaving silk. They are a hardy, contented 

 people, and do well except in times of severe drought, which in some seasons 

 causes great suffering. — Mark Lane Express. 



EFFECT OF DROUGHT ON THE QUALITY OF STRAW— 



In Europe cereal straw, especially oat straw, forms a considerable 

 and useful part of the winter rations for cattle. Last year owing to a 

 remarkably dry summ.er the straw in many districts took on a peculiar- 

 violet tinge, and farmers were anxious to know whether it could be fed 

 to animals without danger. The matter was investigated by Professoi 

 Menard, who has communicated his views to the Journal d^ Agriculture 

 Pratique. He says that the discoloration of the stalks is due to gro\vth 

 having been suddenly checked by drought, and that the organic matter 

 formed in the foliage, instead of passing as usual into the heads to fill the 

 grain, has remained in some measure in the stalks. From this it appears 

 that not only is the straw safe, but that it is of better quality than the 

 straw of normal seasons. Analyses showed that the albuminoids, which 

 normally formed about 3 per cent, of the straw, were nearly doubled 

 (5.8 per cent.) by the dry weather. This finding arouses speculation as to 

 the possible value of Victorian straws compared to those of wetter 

 countries where threshed straw forms a staple article of fodder. The 

 matter is worthy of investigation, and has possibilities of application in a 

 greater use of mixed rations and the sacrifice of a smaller part of the 

 cereal area for hay purposes than is at present the fashion. 



EARLY FALLOWING— 



Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Northern Branches of the 

 Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, the Director of Agriculture (Pro- 

 fessor Lowrie) gave good advice, which is equally applicable to the drier 

 districts of this State: — "A subject round which tliere had been con- 

 siderable controversy was the time of the year at which to begin working 

 the fallow. If year after year farmers would note the returns per acre 

 from the land that they fallowed in June, and compared the results 

 with those from land which they fallowed in late August or September, 

 it would very nearly convince them that it would pay to procure an extra 

 team in order to'get the fallowing done in good time. It was also neces- 

 sary for the benefit of the next year's crop to get on to the fallow as early 

 as possible, and so gather the moisture and get it down into the land." 



