5^8 Jonnial of Agriailtitrc, Victoria. [lo Sept., 1912. 



Summary. 



I. A well-workfd falldw i)revents much loss of soil -moisture during" 

 (Irv wt^ather. 



J. A fallow may O/.y little good if neglected. 



3. A crop leaves the soil extremely dry in the autumn. 



4. This lack of moisture must affect the succeeding crop unless the- 

 winter he exceptionally wet. 



5. The Australian climate indicates in a special degree the need for 

 fallowing. 



6. Land growing a crop may contain only a trace of nitrates. 



7. This deficiency may starve a crop. 



8. Xitj-ate formation stops when the surface .«oil becomes too dry. 



9. A growing crop dries up the surface soil. 



10. It is desirable, therefore, that a crop should start with a ready- 

 formed nitrate supply In the soil and sub.soil. 



II. Such a nitrate supply will also favour a downward development of 

 the roots. 



12. A well-worked fallow meets the nitrate retjuirement of the succeed- 

 ing crop. 



13. Fallowing serves the doul)le purpose of storing soil-moisture and' 

 .supplying nitrates. 



LUCERXE PLANTS. 



Sam[)les of lucerne plants obtained from a paddock sown nine months- 

 previously in the Rochester irrigation district. They show most eft'ectivelv 

 the prolific growth possible on suitable land under proper methods of 

 irrigation. 



