170 



Journal of Ai/ririilfin-f , Victoria. [10 March, 191^ 



and potash, a better and more compact seed bed is made, and weeds 

 and rubbish are eradicated to a greater extent. 



In one instance a strip of summer fallow was observed between two 

 others of winter fallow on the same kind of soil, all sown with the 

 same ssed and manure, and at the same time — the early fallow being 

 cleaner and heavier, freer from disease, and the difference in appear- 

 ance very noticeable directly the boundary line between the areas so 

 treated was reached. 



Heavier applications of manure also showed to advantage, 75 to 

 80 lbs. being used with good effect. Dead-heads were less plentiful 

 where heavier dressings were used, and the crops further forward 'n 

 condition. 



On one farm, and that a small one, four nice stacks of self-sown 

 hay aggregating about 200 tons were conserved awaiting their t\irn 

 to establish a reputation for saving life and money. 



Mr. David Bone, senior, was visited, and cannot be too highlv 

 recommended for pioneering the way to introducing lucerne plots under 

 irrigation. Four acres had been sown, and a nice stand of young 

 lucerne was in evidence ; this is to be extended to 10 or more acres 

 later on. A dam with a storage ca,pae:tv of 180,000 cubic feet had 

 been constructed on the edge of a large swamp, from which the water 

 supply can be augmented by pumping with a 3-inch pump as required, 

 commanding the lucerne plot. 



There are many places in the Nhill district similarly situated, and 

 with the aid of bores the water supply could be further supplemented. 

 No better insurance against less of stock in times of drought can be 

 imagined, while in times of plenty the increased numbers of sheep 

 and cattle carried will add to the .profits of the farmer in normal sea- 

 sons, and pave the way for the production of intense culture as applied 

 to new agricultural industries which can be made highly profitable on 

 smaller farms than are now necessary. 



Crop Competitions. 



• This competitor had only 135 acres of crop altogether, half of which amounted to less than the 

 stipulated 75 acres. 



