'2^2 Journal uf Agriculture, Victoria. [25 Ai'ml, lUiT. 



Taking the average for the four-year period, which included the 

 flrought year; tiie average return from the no-manure plot was 22.83 

 bushels. The land is sufficiently fertile to yield by good cultivation 

 and bare fallow alone nearly 23 bushels per acre. The application of 

 i cwt. of phosphates in the form of super, raised the yield to 28.97 

 Imshels — an increase of 6.16 bushels, worth at 4s. per bushel, 24s. 6d. 

 per acre, thus showing a net profit of 22s. per acre. This increase in 

 yield was obtained by the expenditure of 2s. 6d. per acre for fertilizer. 



Superphosphates applied at the rate of 1 cwt. per acre at a cost of 

 OS. per acre, gave an increase over the unmanured plot of 7J bushels, 

 worth 31s. per acre, leaving a net profit of 26s. per acre. The 2 cwt. 

 application costing 10s. per acre, gave an increase of 9.62 bushels per 

 acre over the unmanured plot, representing a net profit of 28s. 6d. 

 per acre. 



Last year the application of 10 tons of farmyard manure par acre 

 gave a yield of 6^ bushels per acre more than any combination of 

 artificial manure. This was to be expected in a cool, wet season. The 

 average return over a four-vear period, however, is approximatslv the 

 same as that from a dressing of 1 cwt. of superphosphate. 



These returns show that wheat yields in the Winimera may be 

 maintained at a high level by bare fallowing, judicious cultivation and 

 the liberal use of phosphates. 



Manurial Trials in the Mallee. 



The Department of Agriculture for the past three years has con- 

 ducted variety and manurial wheat tests at Ouyen and Cowangie to 

 determine the most suitable of wheat and manure for these areas. This 

 year Carwarp was included in the tests. The results of the 1916 test 

 demonstrate the fertility of these mallee areas when favorable climatic 

 conditions are combined with good farming. The manurial tests con- 

 sisted of trials of no manure against heavy and light dressings of super- 

 phosphates sown in plots of 1 to 2 acres each in area. 

 The results of the 1916 tests were as follow: — 



Qiia!itity ]»-t acrc. 



No manure 

 30 lbs. super. 

 00 lbs. super. 

 90 lbs. super. 



Carwarj). 



llusli. lb*. 



7 29 



16 59 



19 40 



21 58 



Ouyon. 



Bush. lbs. 



24 10 



25 49 

 25 57 

 24 5 



Average of .ill 

 centres. 



Bush, lbs. 

 26 27 



29 6 



30 24 

 30 39 



The most striking differences were observed at Carwarp, where the 

 soil was of a light sandy character. Here the application of 30 lbs. of 

 superphosphate, costing Is. 3d. per acre, gave an increase of 9i bushels 

 in the yield, worth in normal times XI lis. 8d. per acre. The applica- 

 tion of 60 lbs. resulted in an increase over the unmanured plot of 12 

 bushels 11 lbs.; whilst the 90 lb. dressing gave an increase of 14 

 bushels 2 lbs. per acre, worth £2 8s. 4d. per acre, gained at a cost of 

 4s. 6d. per acre. 



