318 T1J3 farmers' handbook. 



Federation is liable to rust, Hag-smut and bunt. It also seems specially 

 susceptible in the spring, chiefly in the cooler and moister districts, to 

 attacks of powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis), which, however, does not 

 seem to exercise an injurious effect upon the yield. 



Because of its short, stiff straw and brown colour, it is not a hay variety, and 

 cannot, be recommended for that purpose, especially if the hay is intended for 

 market. Farmers use it for their own stock with very satisfactory results, and 

 the stock are said to eat it readily and with relish. The yield is also very 

 much greater than appearances would indicate, 2 tons per acre being quite 

 common ; even heavier yields are frequently obtained. 



Hard Federation. — See page 322. 



Firbank. 



Firbank is a tall, erect-growing variety, which stools rather scantily. 

 The young plant carries a moderate amount of foliage of good colour. The 

 leaves are broad, long and limp. The ripe straw is fairly stout, and white in 

 colour. The ears are long, open and tapering, and are slightly tip-bearded. 

 The chaff is white, smooth, and inclined to be close. The grain is large, 

 white, and rather plump. 



Firbank is a half-sister to Bunyip, both varieties having the same sire. It 

 was produced by mating Zealand with Maffra. Its pedigree is : — 

 Blount's Lambrigg x Hornblende 



Unnamed x King's Jubilee 



Zealand x Maffra 



Firbank 



This variety is very early, being about a fortnight earlier than Steinwedel, 

 and a few days later than Bunyip. It is specially suitable for hay, the 

 straw being sweet, soft, and of excellent quality. It is green right to the 

 base, with little or no dry flag. 



It should be sown about mid-season or late. Early-sown crops are 

 subject to frosting and become ready for cutting before the weather is hot 

 enough to cure the fodder properly. But if sown early the crop will be 

 ready to cut for ensilage or hay before the black oat falls, and if utilised in this 

 way it will prove a very valuable aid in profitably ridding dirty paddocks of 

 that pest. Its earliness and sparsely stooling habit enable it to thrive in dry 

 soils, and for this reason it should be a valuable wheat for the Western 

 Plains. As a hay wheat for sowing headlands and tracks it may be 

 recommended on account of its early maturity. 



After it is fit to cut for hay the straw becomes brittle, and should rough 

 weather be experienced at harvest time a good deal of loss may occur. 



As a milling wheat it is placed in the " Medium Strong " class. It is, 

 however, a good flour yielder and easy to mill. 



Florence. 



Florence is a very early variety, of medium heignt. It stools fairly well. 

 The young growth is of a good, dark colour, vigorous, erect, and compact. The 

 foliage is of medium quantity, with rather stiff, narrow leaves. When ripe 

 the straw is white and rather slender. The ears are slightly tip-bearded, of 

 medium size and tapering. The spikelets are not set very closely together. 

 The chaff is white, smooth, and rather open. The grain is good, rather horny, 

 of average size, and inclined to be plump. 



