WHEATGROWING IN AUSTRALIA. 



35 



In regard to the work on the farm, the following figures are 

 approximately the prices for different classes of work when it is 

 done b) contract: Ploughing new ground, $1.68 per acre; old or 

 fallowed ground, $1.45 per acre; harrowing, 18 cents to 24 cents per 

 acre; cultivating, $0.50 per acre; drilling, 36 cents per acre; har- 

 vesting with stripper-harvester, 72 cents per acre ; cutting with 

 binder, 84 cents per acre ; stooking, 24 cents per acre ; carting and 

 stacking hay, $1.35 per acre. 



Superphosphate is the main fertiliser used. Australian wheat 

 soils are naturally strong in nitrogen and potash, but in many cases 

 are deficient in available phosphoric acid. Superphosphate costs 

 about $1.20 per cwt, and may be reckoned at 48 cents to 60 cents 

 per acre. Seed wheat runs from 96 cents to $1.20 per bushel; 

 sowing 45 Ibs. to the acre represents 72 cents to 84 cents per acre. 



It is reckoned that if the same work is done by weekly-paid 

 labour the cost is reduced by fully 30 per cent, all round. 



HARVESTING SCENE, DARLING DOWNS, QUEENSLAND 



In common practice it is considered that it costs $4.80 to $6.00 

 per acre to put in and take off an acre of wheat. The following 

 figures are reliable estimates of the actual cost of production by 

 official experts, and also actual figures supplied by working farmers. 



