06 



THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



Average Yields. 



" 'The yield of grain, under the same conditions, ranged from prac- 

 tically a failure with some varieties, to 19 bushels per acre with the 

 best. 



Durum Wheats. 



"It is interest.ng to note that the durum wheats have not proved 

 as satisfactory under the conditions at CoUabah as they have proved uq- 

 der semi-arid conditions in America. 



Soil Treatment. 



" 'The method of working is to have a summer fallow precede the 

 wheat crop. The fallowed land is worked or cultivated with- the peg 

 tooth harrow, or with the disc cultivator, to conserve the moisture, to 



Seeding. 



destroy weeds, and to obtain a good tilth. The seed is planted with a 

 drill at the rate of 30 pounds per acre; after drilling in the seed the 

 ground is rolled and then harrowed. 



Crop Rotation. 



" 'Provision is also made, by the rotation practised, to maintain the 

 supply of organic matter in the soil so as to have it in the best possible 

 condition to resist drought. The rotations which have proved the most 

 suitable and practicable are: (1) Cowpeas, fallow, wheat; (2) Rape, fal- 

 low, wheat. Both rotations extend over three years. 



Implements. 



" 'The implements used to work the ground are : A four-furrow disc 

 plough, a peg tooth harrow, and a one-way disc harrow or cultivator. 

 This last named implement is really a skim disc plow, and rs used 

 like one; it has the advantage over the disc harrow in that it does not 

 ridge the ground. It is, I believe, peculiar to Australians, and unknown in 

 America. Any details concerning it which you may care to take ov^^r 



Sub-Surface Packer. 



to America will probably prove of special interest. The sub-surface packer 

 is not found necessary, as the cultivation which the fallowed land re- 

 ceives compacts the sub-surface thoroughly and effectively. 



" 'If you desire it yiou can be supplied with, small samples of the 

 wheat, which has proved to be the best drouth resisters. 



" 'I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



*"C. C. ANDERSON.' ■ 



" 'Senator, the Honorable J. H. McColl, Quarry Hill, Bendrgo, Vic. 



"As showing the interest taken in our country, permit me to read 

 two short letters. The first from the Honorable Alfred Deakin who, 

 though not at present, has been Prime Minister of oar commonwealth for 

 the past six years, and who is the biggest man politically, in Australia. 



