499 



is Svli'i'stris M'd^iii'ii. This at one time much -boomed 

 fodder plant is a variety of vetch, and is said to grow from afoot to 

 eighteen inches high, but has never attained any reputation in 

 Australia. The seeds germinate badly, and the plant takes a long 

 time to reach maturity, and though great claims are made for it, in 

 the opinion of the Editor of the GUIDE, who has experimented with 

 it no\v for the past eight years, it is better left alone. 



Er.viTiAX, OK IV.AkL MILLET (Pcnicilliiriti sf>if(ila). A very 

 productive and useful forage plant, which has been grown in the 

 driest districts with great success. It is a strong grower, and yields 

 a great amount of green fodder. When the plant first comes up 

 the stems are prostrate, but assume an upright position when two 

 feet long. Stock eat it with great avidity. It can be cut three or 

 four times, sprouting readily, and growing rapidly after each cutting. 

 It should be sown in drills, dropping two or three seeds two feet 

 apart in the drill ; the drills should be three feet apart Four 

 pounds required to sow an acre. The Editor of the GUIDE has 

 cultivated this plant for the past six years and has found it to be one 

 of the most valuable and drought-resisting fodder plants ever intro- 

 duced to his notice. It, like all plants, flourishes best in rich soils, 

 but will give a profitable return in poor soils and really under the 

 most disadvantageous circumstances, and stock eat it readily in all 

 stages of its growth. 



NEW DAKOTA MILLET. This new American variety, according 

 to Mr. William Adamson's catalogue, has proved itself, in experi- 

 ments, to be an immense yielder. It was tried at the Ontario 

 Agricultural College, with twelve other varieties, and yielded a crop 

 averaging 8J tons to the acre, being far ahead of all the other varie- 

 ties, excepting the " Pearl." It is a very strong grower, producing 

 an immense amount of foliage stands the hot, dry weather well, 

 and makes excellent hay, which is greatly liked by cattle. It was 

 tried last season in Xew r South Wales by the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment, and gave every satisfaction. Sow in drills, three feet apart, 

 about 4 to 6 Ibs. to the acre, or 10 Ibs. broadcast. 



CHICORY. The culture of this root should not be attempted 

 unless the soil is of first-class quality, otherwise the expense of 

 preparing the soil, keeping it clean, and digging and harvesting the 

 crop, would exceed its value. The soil should be prepared as for 

 carrots, and the seed dropped at intervals of nine inches, in shallow 

 drills eighteen or twenty inches apart. The end of September and 

 beginning of October is the best time to put in the seed. The 

 young plants should be carefully singled as soon as large enough to 

 handle, and the soil must be regularly cultivated throughout the 

 season. 4 Ibs. required to sow an acre in drills. There is a limited 

 demand in this colony for the root, which is used in a dried state 

 for adulterating coffee. 



. LINSEED, OR FLAX. This should be a profitable crop to grow 

 in the Blackwood and South-western districts, where the soil is 



