Journal of Ayrtcultuft, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1917. 



conditious. Hence, they were attemptiug to produce by cross-breed- 

 ing new types which would combine in one variety the desirable quali- 

 ties required. A number of tliese new crossbreds were being tested in 

 competition with the best local varieties, and judging by the results a con- 

 siderable measure of success has been obtained. Three new crossbred 

 varieties growing in the selection plots attracted special attention. 

 These were Indian F x Federation, Clubhead x Yandilla King, and 

 Indian H x Comeback. 



The selection plots comprised fifteen varieties, grown from specially 

 selected heads obtained by repeate'd selection. It was explained that 

 the prolificacy ot a given variety could not be maintained over a period 

 of years unless systematic selection of the seed was practised. Consider- 

 able interest was maniiested in the forage plots. Plots of Egyptian and 

 Dun peas had done remarkably well, and were heavily podded. Both 



View of Stud Cereal Section. Experimental plots. 



College. 



Longerenong Agricultural 



rape and rye and vetches did remarkably well. These were very useful 

 crops to use in a rotation with wheat, especially where sheep were kept. 

 The barley plots had suffered considerably with the winds. Cape, 

 Oregon, and Short-head barley had made phenomenal growth, but por- 

 tions of each had lodged with the heavy winds. Of the malting barleys. 

 Prior was the earliest of all, whilst Kinver, Goldthorpe, Gisborne, and 

 Archer were quite green; the Prior was approaching maturity, and 

 looked a heavy yielder. 



Mr. Richardson stated that barley was one'of the most useful of crops 

 in Victoria, and in the future would play a larger part in our agricul- 

 ture than it had hitherto done. It was one of the best crops to grow 

 for green feed, either for milking cows or for sheep. It could be sown 

 late in the season, and would mature before wheat. It could stand 

 drought, and had a lower water requirement than either wheat or oats. 



