410 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Dec., 1898. 
If our farmers would preserve their stacks from mildew, all they need do 
is to prepare a foundation on stumps in the same way as in the building of a 
cottage. If caps are put on the stumps so much the better, as the rats and 
mice cannot then get at the grain. 
A large quantity of the last year’s wheat crop is still on the farmers’ 
hands owing to the presence of the now pestiferous “ Hexham Scent” plant, 
which has impregnated the wheat to such an extent as to ruinously depreciate 
its value for the mill. 
Again, very little care is evidenced in thatching the stack. Many stacks 
have been left unthatched, with the result that much of the upper portion is 
rotted by the rain water finding its way into it. With moisture rising from 
below, and moisture pouring in from above, the losses sustained by such 
careless stack-building are enormous, and the farmer who neglects obvious 
precautions has no one but himself to blame, and can scarcely be a subject 
for sympathy. 
WHEAT AT EMERALD. 
Our frontispiece shows a splendid sample of wheat from the Central districts 
which has been forwarded to the Department of A griculture, but no particulars 
concerning it have been received. We learn that it was grown by Mr. Scott, 
of Emerald Downs. It would have been most interesting to have known in 
what month it was sown, how the seed was treated, the conditions of climate 
during the season, weight of grain per bushel, soil, &c. ; but as.we have failed 
to obtain such information we merely give an illustration of the sample ears, 
as we consider them remarkably good, and well worthy of a place in the 
Journal. If such wheat as this can be grown throughout the district, then 
the Central portion of the colony cannot fail to come to the front as a locality 
eminently suitable for close settlement by wheat farmers. 
renee ee a CT 
WHEAT IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS. 
A GENTLEMAN who has just returned froma visit to the Duaringa district (says 
the Rockhampton Bulletin) reports having visited the farm of the Messrs. 
Diamond Brothers, known as Blackmyre, situated about five miles out of 
Duaringa. There he saw some fine crops of maize, barley, and oats, and what 
pleased him most—a small patch of wheat. This is the first time the Messrs, 
Diamond have tried wheat, and they are perfectiy satisfied with the result. 
A sample of the wheat has been brought to this office. It is perfectly free 
from rust, though not quite matured. 
We (Rockhampton Bulletin) have received samples of wheat grown at 
Glenmore, North Rockhampton, by Mr. J.T. Harris. Mr, Harris furuishes 
no particulars respecting them. One sample is well grown; the ears are large 
_and full. Of the other the ears are small : it is an awny wheat. Both samples 
appear to be rust infested. Myr, W. Kimber, whose farm is on Scrubby Creek, 
on the road to Fairy Bower, and within the municipality of Rockhampton, has 
handed us a nice sample of wheat grown by him, and cut. Straw and heads 
appear to be quite healthy: the latter is fair-sized and plump. The variety 
is not known. It was sown in March, and Mr. Kimber thinks it would have 
done better if sown a little earlier. The plants were healthy and sound, 
but the crop was thin. The plants near the creek did best. The soil is light, 
but rich in organic matter. An acre and a-half was sown broadcast. We 
purpose sending these and other samples to the Department of Agriculture. 
We shall be glad to forward other samples at the same time, and we would like 
those who send them to state—variety of wheat ; when sown; yield per acre; 
character of soil; amount of rainfall, &c. By attending to such particulars 
farmers will be assisting our wheat experts to discover the best varieties of 
wheat for the various areas of the colony. It may be found that some of the 
Indian wheats will pay to cultivate in our coastal areas. 
