1 Fexz., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL a 99: 
WHEAT AND MAIZE IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS. 
We have received from Mr. 8, Hannay, of Hamlet Downs, Geera, Central district 
(N.), two samples of wheat grown by him on his farm on the Central Railway 
line. We have submitted the samples to expert examination, and the verdict is 
that both are excellent milling wheats, and exhibit a fulness of grain, lightness 
of bran, and gluten content which are remarkable considering the circumstances 
under which the grain was sown. In his letter Mr. Hannay says :— 
I take the liberty of sending you two samples of wheat, also of maize,* 
grown on my holding. TI send you these simply because of the place and soil 
and conditions under which they have been raised. Firstly, I may tell you, 
the land is what is known as“ desert country”—in other words, sand. The 
crops were raised by irrigation solely. Not a drop of rain fell between seed- 
time and harvest, and the maize had the additional disadvantage of being 
severely attacked by grubs as soon as it appeared over ground. Again, 
‘the frost cut it down, but it came on again, and the cobs I send you 
are about the average of a crop of two acres which I have not yet 
threshed. I sowed it on 28rd July, and pulled it on 20th December. 
I may say that, so far as tillage was concerned, I broke up the land about 
4: inches deep, cross-ploughed it at once at the same depth, and planted the: 
corn in every fourth furrow—i.e., 4: feet apart and 18 inches in the drill. The: 
land was irrigated previous to breaking up. I only irrigated it once after- 
planting, and that was when it was cobbing. I irrigate by drains 60 feet apart,. 
and the water percolates through in three days. The water is then shut off. 
The maize grew to a height of from 9 and 10 feet, and a strange thing is that 
small plants, not more than 8 fect 6 inches high, bore as good cobs as any of 
the tallest. There are two different varieties, as you will see, and one matures. 
much better than the other. I would like these samples named if you can do- 
it, for evidently the long grain is not adapted to the conditions of irrigation. 
It is quite possible, however, that other causes have to do with it, as I have- 
learned several points about the culture and irrigation of the crop here, which: 
J shall put into practice in the coming season. It is my opinion that giving 
the land a good irrigating before working and by ploughing deep, say 8: 
inches, and sowing at the same depth, that no further watering will be required. 
There is a subsoil here about 1 foot below the surface, and the growth is there 
also, It retains the moisture, whilst at the same time it is sufficiently 
absorptive to admit of good naturaldrainage. As to the samples of wheat,:the- 
dark-coloured heads are Allora Spring, grown under the same conditions as the 
maize. The wheat crop never saw a-drop of rain. The white heads were 
picked out of the field, and I would like the variety named if you can do it. 
The wheat was sown dry on Ist July, and reaped in October. I haye not 
threshed it yet, but I think it will run to four bags on the one acre planted. 
The sowing was late, but I had not my bore completed until the end of 
June, and I merely threw it in just to see if it would grow, and I am so 
satisfied with the result that I am planting 10 or 15 acres this season, and. 
have just landed a four-furrow plough to begin work. I had also 2 acres oats 
which turned out well, although it was late. However, this all served as an 
experiment with a view to future operations. I had also a very nice crop of 
English potatoes (+ acre). I may say, in conclusion, I intend to go in largely 
for farming here, generally, and any seeds the Department may have to dis-- 
tribute for experimental purposes I shall be glad to give the best attention to.. 
These samples, I may say, have a special interest in so far as they have been 
reared upon land hitherto supposed to be entirely useless, and, again, being: 
reared without rain, which is the great factor in the experiment. It also leads. 
to the supposition of a great future before this district, where there is a large: 
area of such land as mine—easily worked, easily irrigated, and artesian water: 
easily got. With practical men, I predict a great future for it. I may tell 
you that Iam not a newchum at farming, having been reared at farming, and. 
still have a farm at Pittsworth, Darling Downs. 
* We regret that the samples of maize have not yet reached us.—Hd. Q.4.J. 
