1 Noy., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 459 
Questions on Lesson 4. 
Name some of the methods of restoring the fertility of an exhausted 
i 
soil. 
Ts a soil ever entirely exhausted ? 
What are soils composed of ? 
What ingredients of plant food first disappear by constant cropping ? 
What is the simplest method of supplying humus to a soil ? 
Name the plants best suited for green manuring. 
What are the organic and inorganic constituents of farmyard manure ? 
What do you understand by “long” and “short” manure? ‘To which 
soils is each best adapted ? 
9. What is the meaning of a volatile element ? 
10. Name some of the artificial manures, and state what you know of 
their ingredients. 
11. How do nitrate of soda, ammonia, dried blood, hoofs, and horns act 
on a crop ? 
12. What property does gypsum possess ? 
HID AR ow 
REPORT ON WORK, QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, 
SEPTEMBER, 1901. ' 
Farm.—During the month a great deal of work has been carried out in 
this department. Six and a-half acres of Kafir corn were harvested for a 
return of 220 bushels, but, owing to primitive appliances, at least 5 bushels per 
acre were lost. This crop may be considered a very profitable one, the grain 
being valuable food for cattle, pigs, and fowls, and under ordinary condi- 
tions a good yield may be obtained. Four and a-half acres of Giant sorghum 
were harvested, giving a return of 12 bushels per acre; a loss also occurred in 
harvesting this crop owing to primitive machinery. One acre of Amber cane was 
harvested, and, with the exception of a small quantity saved for seed, was fed 
to stock. ‘The above crops were cut by the Osborne Harvester, the heads cut 
off by means of sickles, and threshed by the ordinary peg-drum thresher. 
Twenty-six acres of lucerne were cut and converted into hay, the average being 
19 ewt. of hay per acre. Experimental plots of potatoes, area 1 acre, containing 
seventy-six varieties, were planted. five acres of maize were planted, the 
method adopted being the “check-row” system—viz., in 4 feet check—thus 
enabling us to work the cultivator each way. The seed, consisting of “ Piasa 
Queen,” “Golden Heauty,” and “Teaming,” was planted 4 inches deep. 
Forty acres were ploughed and made ready for maize-planting. Three acres on 
the hill, near the Principal’s house, were also ploughed and prepared for planting 
with sweet potatoes. A great deal of hoeing, scuffling, and cultivating was done, 
besides chaffcutting, woodcutting, haulage to and from Gatton. All the crops 
on the farm are now looking well, and promise high returns, especially the 
Cape and malting barley. The lucerne crops are also making vigorous growth, 
» especially those recently planted. The root crops planted early in the season 
are now being harvested; the Swedes are the best I have seen growing in any 
part of Australia, the yield being at the rate of 48 tons per acre, many single 
turnips weighing as much as 18 Ib. each. 
Garden.—A. large amount of work has been done in this department. 
Good progress has been made with both garden and orchard, and both are now 
in a most creditable condition. 
There is also an enormous crop of white Belgian carrots ready for 
harvesting ; 16 acres of land, known as the old pig paddock, are being cleared, and 
should be ready for the plough within the next few weeks. About 20 acres of 
land, adjoining the orchard on the hill, are being cleared by the students in the 
early morning. The rainfall for the month was 1:16 inches for five days, the 
heaviest fall being 0°56 on 25th September. 
