25 April, 1917.] Wheal Experiments, Season 1916. 247 



been obtained, but in tlie Nortliern and Noilii-eastern districts tlisre 

 lias been an excess of rain, whicli in many cases has militated against 

 good returns. 



Bearing in mind the season, the most striking results brought about 

 by the year's work have been the value of heavier dressings of super- 

 phosphate than are normally used, and the promising appearance of 

 certain of the new crosshreds rai.'sed on the exjieriment farms of the 

 llejiaitment. The returns from the Mallee show tlial dressings ol 

 F.n}>erpliosphate up to 60 lb. per acre have this season given increasingly 

 profitable returns, while at Warracknabeal and Lougerenong dressings 

 from li cwt. to 2 cwt. per acre have shown the highest net profit per 

 acre. At these places, however, it is probable that in normal years 

 1 cwt. per acre would show the highest net return. 



Variety Wheat Trials. 



The results from the five centres show several of the later maturing 

 wheats to advantage, but at Longereuong and Warrackuabeal Federa- 

 tion more than held its own. A striking feature of the returns was 

 the excellent performance of several of the new crossbreds originated by 

 this Department. These crossbreds will be again tested this season on 

 the State farms, and if the yields are satisfactory, will then be made 

 available for distribution. 



One new variety. Major, produced by Mr. Pye at Dookie College, 

 has done well in the tests. It is a late maturing variety, and should 

 be particularly suitable for the cooler districts of the State. 



On Government farms the tests show that the difference in the 

 yields of a number of varieties sown under the same soil conditions is 

 more than sufficient to pay rent and interest on the land on which the 

 crop is grown. The farmer should, therefore, select such types as are 

 suited to his district, and endeavour to keep the varieties productive by 

 systematic selection. 



Experiments conducted over the past five years have demonstrated 

 that the yield of any variety may be improved by at least 15-20 per 

 csnt. by systematic seed selection. 



Following are the results of the various tests: — 



Seed, 60 lb. Super. 1 cwt. 



\VYfN.\ Farm. 



rusiifis. 



Xew crossbrefl (Iiuliiin II. x ouiiipliark I .. 37.7 



Viiiidilla King . . .30.4 

 .Major .36.4 



Xew crossbred (Stanley x Yanililla King) 34. S 



Xew crossbred (Bobs x Federation I 34.3 



.\rarsliairs Xo. 3 .. .33.!) 

 Federation . . . . 30.2 



Dart's Imperial 28.t! 



Connnnnwealtli . . 2S.5 



I'enny 28.0 



Warden . . . . 2.5.0 



King's Karlv . . . . . . . . Barlly biagcd. 



