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THE I'aUMKKS II.VMJBOOK. 



From one and a half bushels of the cereal, and one half to one bushel of 

 peas per acre are usually sown. It may often be found advisable to alter the 

 proportions, and this can be settled only by trial. 



Experiments have been conducted at various centres on the North Coast 

 for the purpose of comparing wheat alone against wheat in combination 

 with field peas and with vetches. 



The following are the results of the experiments: — 



Of varieties. Huguenot, Thew, Warren, Firbank, Florence, Clarendon, 

 and Bomen are suitable rust-resisting wheats, and Algerian and Sunrise are 

 suitable oats for these combination crops of cereal and legume for coastal 

 districts. Rye gives heavy yields, and affords good feed while young, but it 

 should not be allowed to mature, as it becomes unpalatable. 



Cape and Skinless barley are excellent fodders, but on account of their 

 early maturity are not altogether suitable for sowing with peas or vetches. 



Varieties. 



The varieties which have been most successfully grown are the Grey field 

 pea and the Blue field pea. 



The Grey field pea invariably gives the heaviest yield of greenstuff. It 

 is later than the others, and is a very hardy and vigorous grower. In com- 

 parative trials at the Hawkesbury College the yields were as follows : — 



Grey Field Pea 

 Blue Field Pea 



9 tons 15 cwt. per acre. 

 4 tons 14 cwt. per acre. 



The Blue pea is largely grown in Tasmania and other cooler parts for the 

 production of seed. For fodder purposes it is hardly to be recommended, 

 as the yield is not great, and the variety is not very hardy. 



Several earlier varieties than the Grey and Blue peas are being tested, 

 some of which will be more suitable for the inland districts, but even for the 

 coast earlier varieties are often required. Canada and Suntop are the best 

 of these varieties. 



Harvesting for Seed. 



A special pea-harvesting attachment for the mower, which will Kft the 

 vines from the g.round in front of the mower blade, can be obtained from 

 most implement firms. A windrowing attachment is also desirable to pre- 

 vent, trampling by the horses and the consequent loss of seed. The crop 



