WHEAT IMPROVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA. 29 



During recent years a small wheat-testing mill has been installed, which 

 will enable new crosses to be tested for their milling qualities, and 

 so save the waste of time in cultivating varieties which later are found to 

 be useless on account of their poor milling quality. An interesting investi- 

 gation has been recently carried out by Mr. E. A. Mann, the Government 

 Analyst (who is in charge of the testing mill), in conjunction wtih Mr. 

 Grasby, on the effect of manuring on the milling quality of wheat. The 

 results obtained would seem to indicate that the addition of potash, and, in 

 a lesser degree, of lime, to the crop increases both the gluten content and 

 also the water-absorbing power of the flour obtained. 



Of the experiment farms under the control of the Department of Agri- 

 culture, those at Chapman, Narrogin, and Merridin are especially devoted 

 to wheat culture. 



The functions of these farms are defined as follows by Mr. G. L. Sutton, 

 Agricultural Commissioner for the wheat belt, under whose control they 

 are: 



1. To conduct reliable and systematic experiments and investigations,, 



having special reference to the requirements of Western Australian 

 conditions. 



2. The production in commercial quantities of pure seed-wheat of the 



standard varieties, for sale to farmers. 



3. The production, by cross-breeding, of new and improved varieties of 



wheat specially suitable for the various climatic and soil conditions 

 of Western Australia. 



Field trials and stud-wheat trials to determine the most suitable varieties 

 are also in operation. 



In connection with 3, the production of new cross-breds, Mr. Sutton 

 remarks that " the greatest consideration will be given to the production of 

 prolific varieties, but at the same time no effort will be spared to produce 

 varieties that are also disease-resistant, drought-resistant, and of high 

 milling quality. Before a new variety is made available for general culti- 

 vation, it will have to pass very severe tests." 



When Mr. Sutton entered upon his duties as Commissioner in Western 

 Australia, two years ago, he found that the most urgent work was the 

 production of pure seed-wheat, of which there was practically none available. 

 He is now able to report that he has for distribution this year from 10,000 

 to 12,000 bushels of clean, graded, pedigree seed. 



QUEENSLAND. T>l 



The Agricultural College at Gatton and the State Farms at Roma, 

 Hermitage and Gindie are all engaged in wheat culture, the farms at Roma 

 and Hermitage being more particularly devoted to the production of wheat. 

 At these farms variety tests, manurial trials, and seed-wheat plots are all in 

 operation, and seed-wheat true to type is grown to supply farmers. 



