302 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria, [10 May, 1917. 



If we go back t» 1907 and compute the percentage increase in 

 price over a period of ten years, we find the following: — Bone dust 15 

 per cent., superphosphate 28 per cent., dried blood 38 per cent., sodium 

 nitrate 36 per cent., ammonium sulphate 56 per cent. 



The wheat farmer has certainly received a higher price during the 

 war for his wheat, but this is not so apparent in the case of oats, 

 barley, potatoes, and onions — drought year excluded. Higher prices 

 have certainly been received for beef, lamb, mutton and wool, but only 

 a small percentage of these increases can be accredited to artificial 

 manuring. 



The fact remains the farmer is at present paying increased prices 

 for artificial fertilizers, but he may possibly find the bird returning to 

 its nest after the war. Let us hope so. 



EAR-MARKING OF SHEEP AiND CATTLE. 



Limitations Imposed by Soutli Australian Legislation. 



B// F. R. Temple, Slock Lnspector. 



The Government of South Australia prohibits the introduction into 

 that State of what is known as cropped-eared sheep and cattle, and 

 seeing that South Australian buyers of stock (especially sheep) will not 

 purchase stock in Victoria if the ears of the animals are not in accord- 

 ance with the requirements of the regulations of their State, stock- 

 breeders should be made aware of what really constitutes " cropped 

 ears " in the neighbouring State. A cropped ear on stock in South 

 Australia is not only tihat which in Victoria is understood as an ear 

 cut square across, but comprises a definite amount of mutilation allowed, 

 which is as follows : — 



Clause 51, section B, of the South Australian Brands Act^ — In the 

 case of sheep, no ear mark shall exceed three-quarters of an inch in 

 length or half an inch in width or diameter, unless such an ear mark 

 is a slit, which may be 1 inch and a quarter in length from the tip of 

 the ear (the tip being the only point specified from where a slit can 

 commence), and in no case, either of cattle or sheep, shall an ear mark 

 be made by means of a crop. 



Section 60e provides that any person who has in his possession any 

 cattle or sheep with its ear mark contrary to the provisions of section 51, 

 or in the case of cattle with any part of the dewlap cut off, shall be 

 guilty of an offence against tie Act, &c. 



My desire in drawing attention to this matter is to point out to 

 our graziers the loss of would-be South Australian purchasers through a 

 want of knowledge of these matters, as on several occasions I have known 

 where prospective buyers have declined business through this fault, 

 where otherwise the animals would have been saleable at shillings per 

 head more than could be obtained here. 



