246 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [25 April, 1917. 



amply demonstrated tliat the soils and climate in various parts of 

 Victoria are quite suitable for the growth of such crops to perfection. 



General Increase in Efficiency. 



A general increase in efficiency is urgently required in all branches 

 of primary production. Our average Avheat yield could certainly be 

 raised to 20 bushels per acre in favorable seasons, and we could, at least, 

 secure a 16-bushel average over a ten-year period if all the resources of 

 production were fully and properly used. 



A change is gradually coming over our farming community, and 

 finding expression in the desire for more technical knowledge, greater 

 interest shown by farmers in experimental work, a keener ajipreciation 

 of agricultural literature, and an eagerness to secure the most up-to-date 

 and efficient farm implements. 



Lack of capital is an important factor in retarding agricultural pro- 

 gress. The difference between the successful and unsuccessful wheat- 

 grower is frequently due to the superior technical agricultural knowledge 

 of the former, but is often due to the want of capital crippling enterprise 

 on the part of the unsuccessful grower. 



WHEAT EXPERIMENTS, SEASON 1916. 



By A. E. y. Richardson, M.A., B.Sc, Agricultural Superintendent. 



The past season has been remarkable for its heavy rainfall. Early 

 in the season there were several consecutive dry months, but later au 



Crop of Fecleiatiou Wheat on Experimental Plot, at Cowangie, 1916, sown on a 

 well-worked fallow. Yield, 41 bushels per acre. 



unprecedentedly continuous downpour completely changed the aspect. 

 From the Wimmera and Mallee Plots yields of over 40 bushels have 



