1908.] 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



535 



bse of Artificial Fertilisers in South Australia. — The Adelaide Correspondent 

 o the Board of Trade (Mr. J. Creswell), has forwarded an extract from the Advertiser 

 of the 4th July, relative to the use of artificial fertilisers in the State of South 

 Australia, from which it appears that their use has had such an unqualified success 

 that the quantity consumed has increased from 3,000 tons in 1897 to 65,000 tons in 1908 

 in regard to cereal cultivation alone. Thousands of acres, which a few years ago used 

 to be looked upon as entirely valueless for wheat growers, have been converted into 

 rich grain-producing areas by chemical manures. 



Mr. W. L. Summers, the Inspector of Fertilisers, estimates that between 68,500 

 and 69,000 tons of commercial fertilisers were used in South Australia during the year 

 which ended with June last. Of that quantity, at least 65,000 tons had been required 

 for the present season's cereal crops. Mr. Summers states that the imports from Great 

 Britain and the Continent represent a marked falling-off compared with the figures of 

 two or three years ago, while the inter-State imports have increased. {Board of Trade 

 Journal, 20th August, 1908.) 



Mortality among Live Stock in Germany. — The German Agricultural Society have 

 published {Mitt, der Deutschen Landw. Gesellschaft, nth April, 1908 some figures 

 based upon the average results from 133 farms over four years of the number of deaths 

 occurring among the various classes of live stock, as follows in percentages : — Riding 

 and carriage horses on estates, 1 '50 ; riding and carriage horses on farms, 2*08 ; farm 

 horses, 3*47; foals, 5*6o; draught oxen, 1*28; bulls, 0*89; cows, 1 * 10 ; feeding 

 cattle, 0-72; young cattle and calves, 10*95; sheep, 3*74; lambs, 7 * 55 ; pigs, 

 6*58; young and sucking pigs, 48*12 ; poultry, 15*54; goats, 9*26; asses, 2*51. 

 Some similar figures for France, Germany and Denmark were given in this Journal, 

 November, 1907, vol. xiv, p. 488. 



Harvest Weather Forecasts. — During the four months June to September, 1907, 

 harvest weather forecasts were sent by the Meteorological Committee to 71 persons 

 residing in various parts of the United Kingdom. The results of a comparison 

 between the forecasts issued and the weather actually experienced showed that 92 per 

 cent, of the forecasts were sufficiently correct to be of practical value to the farmer ; 

 7 per cent, were classed as partial failures, but less than 1 per cent, as total failures. 

 In the course of the season applications were received on two occasions from a 

 Cornish firm as to the probability of a spell of fine weather of sufficient length to 

 enable them to secure a portion of their crops. The applications were responded to 

 by the Office, and in each case with complete success. The opinions of the recipients 

 with regard to the value of the forecasts may be judged by the following extracts from 

 letters to the Office. On 21st July they wrote :— " We have now cut and secured 

 over 60 acres of prime clover hay, and our success is due to you in a great measure. 

 You have always been right in your forecasts." On 22nd September they again 

 wrote : — " Thank you very much for the forecasts. You have saved us a very large 

 amount of money by them, and anxiety also. You were never once incorrect in any 

 forecast, and this last spell of fine weather we have secured over 70 tons of hay." 



Admission of Scottish Cattle into Argentina. — The Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries desire to make it known that they have received a copy of the official 

 decree of the Argentine Republic withdrawing the restrictions imposed by the decree 

 of the 10th February last, on the importation of cattle from Scotland into the 

 territory of the Republic. 



After the 30th September, horned cattle, sheep, goats and swine may be shipped 

 from Scotland for the purpose of being imported into the Argentine Republic. 



Destruction of Rats. — The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries are informed by the 

 Incorporated Society for the Destruction of Vermin that their inquiries as to the 

 damage done by rats, to which reference was made in this Journal, August, 1908, 

 p. 383, have resulted in a very large number of applications for schedules for the supply 

 of information. In consequence the expenses for printing and postage are assuming 

 very large proportions, and the Society appeals for funds to assist them in their 

 undertaking. 



