1 Sepr., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 297 
THE EFFECTS OF ROLLING ON THE POWER OF CEREALS TO 
RESIST “LODGING.” 
The results of some interesting research conducted by Dr. Von Seelhorst 
at the Experiment Station of Gottingen University have just been published 
in the Journal fiir Landwirthschuft. The experiments consisted in discovering 
what immunity from “lodging,” the act of rolling young grain crops was able 
to give. In 1898 a certain field of about 2 morgen* had oats put in after 
roots. The oats were drilled on 7th April; 150 lb. (G.) + of basic slag per 1 
morgen were applied, and on 14th May a top-dressing of nitrate of soda, 50 Ib. 
to the morgen, were put on. The young crop suffered badly from wireworm. 
In order to restrict subterranean movement, and thus as much as possible 
minimise damage to the crop, a heavy smooth cylinder roller was set to work. 
Whilst rolling was proceeding it started to rain, and interrupted the operation. 
Wet weather continued for some time, and prevented the rolling being com- 
pleted. About half the field remained unrolled; the crop at the time was 
about 15 ¢c.m.{ high. 
About four weeks before harvest the utility of the rolling became clearly 
evident. Heavy downpours of rain smashed down the oats where no rolling 
had been done. On the rolled half of the field not a straw went down. In 
spite of the “lodging” of the unrolled oats, a very. high yield was obtained : 
25°25 centners§ per 1 morgen. Unfortunately, through an oversight, the 
separate determination of the two halves of the field was not made. But it 
was obvious, without measurement, that the rolled portion contributed con- 
siderably more than its proper share to the result. 
In reflecting on the result of this experiment, the influence of the roller 
in curtailing the damage done by the wireworm should not be left out of 
mind. 
Last year (1900) the experiment was repeated, and carried out in greater 
detail. On another field, also about 2 morgen in extent, wheat followed 
otatoes. Seed to the quantity of 78 lb. (G.) per 1 morgen had been put in 
on 11th October, 1900. ‘Two centners of Peruvian guano were applied. The 
wheat wintered well. It was rolled on 2nd April, and twice harrowed on 28rd 
April. On 15th May, when the wheat was about 20 ¢.m. high, one half of the 
plot was again rolled with a medium-weight “Crosskill.” A short time pre- 
viously a top-dressing of nitrate of soda, at the rate of 50 lb. (G.) to L morgen, 
had been so put on that the field was now divided as follows : — 
Plot A. Rolled, without top-dressing. 
» 3B. Rolled, with top-dressing. 
» C. Unrolled, without top-dressing. 
» D. Unrolled, with top-dressing. 
Although no real damage had accrued to the plots A and B (they reared 
themselves immediately after being rolled), they were soon left behind by C and 
Din growth and development. Plot A remained backward throughout the 
entire period of growth ; whilst plot B, which had received a dressing of nitrate, 
gradually caught up with plots C and D. 
Heavy rains came. On 29th July plot D went down; plot C followed 
suit the day after. Eventually, on 4th August, plot B “lodged” slightly ; plot 
A remained standing. It is stated-that the “lodging” of the wheat, as also of 
the oats, was due, not to beating down of the straw (7.e., to no debility in the 
haulm), but to the softening of the water-sodden soil, which was then no longer 
able to give the root-base of the plant sufficient hold. 
* 2 morgen = 1 hectare = 2°47 acres. 
+ 11b. (German) = 3 kilogram = 17102 Ib. (English), 
tlem. = zj5th metre = 0°397 in. 
§ 1centner = 100 1b. (G.) = 110°2 Ib. (E.). 
