1 Aprit, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 233 
What is the consequence of this crowding of the plants? They have to 
fight each other for moisture and plant food, and thus become stunted and do 
not stool out properly. Far better to drill in only 20 Ib. of seed. 
When harrowing, harrow crosswise to the direction in which the land 
was ploughed. ‘The work will be more effective, and it will be better for the 
crop. Rolling the wheat, even when it is over 1 foot high, is also productive 
of good. I know of a case where a field of oats was attacked by the wire 
worm, and to stop their underground working the crop was rolled—at least, 
half of it was, because wet weather came on and stopped the work. The oats 
were G inches high when rolled. Just four weeks before the harvest the value 
of the rolling was proved. Heavy downpours of rain smashed down the oats 
where no rolling had been done, but on the rolled half not a straw went down. 
Tt was the same with wheat rolled when it was 8 inches high. The rolling pre- 
vents “lodging ” by consolidating the soil, and thus, by decreasing its power to 
supply overmuch nitrogen to the plants, results in the production of a less 
luxuriant plant, with roots which have a firm hold on the consolidated soil. 
In this way the danger of lodging is avoided. 
- Should the great enemy of wheat—rust—make its appearance, do not be 
in too great a hurry to cut it all for hay, as you might be sacrificing a really good 
grain crop. If it goes too far, then cut it, for it will pay as hay, whereas it 
would be worth nothing for grain. 
The time to sow wheat in the Southern part of this State is from April to 
June. Further North, March is considered a good time to sow. 
Remember that wheats vary greatly in their adaptation to different soils 
and climates, so watch what successful growers in your neighbourhood are doing, 
and also make experiments for yourself. Neither sow too early nor too late ; 
but, if you find it necessary to sow early, sow thin ; if late, sow thicker. 
I will now give you an estimate of what it will cost you to grow an acre of 
wheat, and will begin by reckoning the interest on the cost of your farm at 10s. 
peracre. Then we have the following calculation :— 
Dr. 
Interest (or rent) tt i en non 20) KO 
First ploughing 0 4 0 
Second ploughing 0 3 0 
First harrowing @® @ 
Drilling... : ® ut @& 
Second harrowing _ 0 O & 
Rolling ... - Xe ©» © © & 
Reaping and binding ... Oman O 
Stooking +n eg ae din aa, OO IL oO) 
Stacking oe ax C20 a: oe O 8 © 
Threshing Pes . @ 8 
Carting to marke @ ia 
Bags ae 0 2 6 
tattle na 0 4 0 
‘Balance. 3. 1 4 1 
£3 10 O 
Cr. 
Value of wheat—20 bushels at 8s. per bushel £3 0 O 
Value of straw... um 32) oe on O a O 
Value of chickwheat ... so: hy a WOW & & 
£3 10 O 
Thus you see that the net profit on an acre of wheat, at 8s. per bushel, is £1 4s. 1d., 
and wheat sold this year—1902—at 2s. 7d. and up to 3s. 24d. per bushel. Conse- 
quently you will have to grow other crops, and add pig-rearing, dairying, and 
poultry-raising to the wheat business. You cannot reckon on an average crop 
