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Late Or Irish Blight Of Potatoes, W P. Cass Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Late or Irish Blight, caused by the fungus Phythophthora infestans, is the most destructive disease of potatoes in many countries. Fortunately it has proved to be uncommon in the main potato areas of Western Australia as suitable weather for its epidemic development seldom occurs for sufficiently long periods. The disease is encouraged by periods of warm muggy weather during the day, followed by relatively cool night temperatures.

Bacterial Cultures - Price Increases Announces

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Prices of bacterial cultures prepared by the Department of Agriculture for the inoculation of legume seeds have now been increased. The new prices are 2s. for a 1 oz. bottle; 3s. for a 2 oz. bottle and 7s. 6d. for the 8 oz. size. Old prices were Is. 6d., 2s. 6d., and 5s. respectively. Owing to the heavy demand for these cultures it has been found necessary to employ larger laboratory staffs and purchase extra equipment. Postage and materials cost far more today than when the service was inaugurated, and it is felt that a price increase was justified in …

Season Reminders, T G. Haney

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Now that the sales are over, growers should be ready to take good care of the tobacco seedlings for next season's crop. A good stand of healthy seedlings goes a long way towards an even crop, and is the first step towards better tobacco.

The Farm Bookshelf

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

C. A. Gardner, Government Botanist of Western Australia, is the author of a recently-published 400-page work on the native and introduced grasses of this State. The book is the first part of a projected "Flora of Western Australia" which is expected to comprise at least six volumes.

Raising Queen Bees, R S. Coleman

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Most beekeepers are constantly seeking new and better methods of raising good queen bees and these suggestions, while capable of many refinements, will give good results for small-scale beekeepers when they wish to re-queen their hives. Most commercial apiarists have their own favourite methods incorporating variations of these ideas.

[One of an ongoing series of articles, collectively titled: Bees and Honey]

Water Erosion Control - 3, J P. Fallon

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Contour Bank is the name applied to a ridge or bank of earth built across sloping ground between points of equal or nearly equal heights. The basic function of a contour bank is "interception of run-off water is then either absorbed or conducted slowly from the land, depending on the condition of the soil conservation work contour banks are not a substitute for, but supplementary to, suitable plant cover and careful land management.

Pet Rabbits

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

A number of inquiries have recently been received by the Department of Agriculture concerning the legality of keeping rabbits as pets. The Chief Vermin Control Officer (Mr. A. R. Tomlinson) states that anyone keeping or purchasing rabbits as pets should note that the Vermin Act provides a heavy penalty for the keeping of live rabbits unless a permit has been obtained. This applies to all types of rabbits. The permits allow domestic breeds of rabbits to be kept as pets conditional upon them being confined in hutches within rabbit proof enclosures. They must not be permitted to roam loose on …

A Hospital Paddock

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Wherever many head of stock are kept on a farm there are two things that will always pay very handsome dividends— a loose box and a small hospital paddock.

Cattle-Working Yards, Grant A. Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The diagram accompanying this article shows a set of yards with an overall size of 50 yds. x 40 yds. through which about 300 cattle may be worked with a minimum of effort. It will be noted that corners have been eliminated wherever possible, and cattle may be worked right round the outer fences with all gates closing behind them as block gates irrespective of whether they are worked in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

Seasonal Reminders For July-August

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Recently, mortalities from tetanus involving the loss of a large number of sheep have occurred as a sequel to the inoculation of flocks with entero-toxaemia vaccine and other biological products.

Water Erosion Control - 2, L C. Lightfoot

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Earthworks are frequently used to help to control or prevent soil erosion where the adjustment of farming methods—as discussed in the March-April issue—is unlikely to be sufficient. Contour earthworks have proved extremely valuable in many cases and incidentally have caused much less inconvenience than most farmers anticipated. Landowners in need of advice on contour earthworks should get in touch with the Soil Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, Perth, and arrangements will be made for an officer to visit their properties.

Incubator Hygiene, J E. Peterson, A R. Wright

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The rapid expansion of the poultry industry is due in no small measure to the introduction of the cabinet type of incubator. However, the widespread use of these machines in which large numbers of chickens are confined, for a period, to a very small space, has also favoured the spread of many diseases, and unless steps are taken to prevent the introduction of these diseases to the newly-hatched chickens disastrous losses are likely to occur.

Departmental Leaflets And Bulletins

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Departmental publications listed here under may be obtained free of charge (except where a price is indicated) on application to the Officer in Charge of Departmental Publications, Department of Agriculture, St. George's Terrace, Perth.

Here's The Answer

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Tobacco growing. What are the main conditions suitable for growing tobacco in Western Australia? All the tobacco produced in Western Australia at the present time is grown in the lower South-West of the State, in areas around Manjimup, Northcliffe and Karridale.

Strainer Posts And Fence Patterns, J A. Mallett

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Good fences have long been regarded as the sign-manual of the good farmer. A VF taut, well-constructed and well-maintained fence does more than merely add to the appearance—and cash value—of a farming property; it makes a priceless contribution towards the owner's peace of mind. He knows that his stock will "stay put" instead of disporting themselves in his own or his neighbours' crops—and the fence which keeps his own animals in will keep straying stock out, and so save both time and temper.

Oriental Fruit Moth, C F.H Jenkins

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

In recent weeks a new insect pest for Western Australia has been recorded. This -•- is the Oriental fruit moth, sometimes known as the Oriental peach moth and the peach tip moth, both names indicating that peaches are the most susceptible of a wide variety of host fruits.

Planning Boosts Poultry Profits, K D. Giles

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Amazing as it may seem, the time and labour expended in the ordinary everyday chores on a poultry farm carrying 1,000 birds can be reduced five times by adopting modern efficiency methods. This will appeal to poultry farmers in this State who know that low labour costs are closely linked to high profits.

Actinomycosis And Actinobacillosis, J Shilkin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Actinomycosis and actinobacillosis, commonly known as "lumpy jaw" and "wooden tongue" respectively, are chronic infective diseases which are most commonly encountered in cattle, occasionally in pigs, and much less frequently in the other domestic animals and man. They are characterised by the presence of tumour-like swellings and exude pus containing yellow sulphur-like granules. These swellings are commonly found in or on the jawbones and tongue, but may be found on occasions, in other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, spleen, etc.

Control Of Swarming, R S. Coleman

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

It has often been said that the secret of getting a high yield of honey is to have a large field force of young bees in every hive at the beginning of the nectar flow. The colonies should not have to build up numerical strength when they should be collecting nectar. It is just as important for the apiarist to have a large proportion of field bees compared with hive bees as it is to have well-bred queens, efficient equipment and all the other factors which make for success in beekeeping.

Vibriosis (Vibrio Foetus Infection) Recorded In South-West Herds, J Craig

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Vibriosis of dairy cattle was recently diagnosed for the first time in several herds in the South-West part of this State. This disease is not a new one, since Vibrionic abortion has been recognised for some considerable time in Europe and America, while within recent years it has been identified as causing abortion and sterility in cattle in the Eastern States of Australia.

Novel Farm-Made Spray Outfit, L G. Hayward

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

When it became apparent that their power spray unit was unable to spray all the trees in their area in accordance with the pre-arranged baiting schedule, the committee of the Eastern Hills Fruit Fly Baiting Scheme called a meeting to discuss ways and means of augmenting the service. Following upon the discussion, three of the committeemen evolved the cheap and effective spray plant described below.

Cobalt, L C. Snook

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Cobalt is one of the most interesting of the so-called "trace" elements. Particularly is this so to West Australians as the use of cobalt has permitted farmers to rear healthy sheep and cattle where previously this was impossible. Also, it was in this State that Filmer and Underwood carried out much of the fundamental work which led to the discovery of the vital importance of cobalt.

Preparing Beeswax For Market, R S. Coleman

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Beeswax is an extremely valuable commercial product in these days, and no apiarist can afford to neglect this important by-product of the honey industry. Apart from the large quantities needed within the industry for the manufacture of foundation comb, beeswax has a wide variety of industrial uses. It is an important component of polishes and is widely used as a waterproofing agent and in the insulating of delicate electrical equipment.

[One of an ongoing series of articles, collectively titled: Bees and Honey]

The Farm Bookshelf

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Some reviews of current publications of rural interest.

[One in a series of ongoing article series, publication reviews]

Fertiliser Registrations

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The following Fertilisers have been registered at the Department of Agriculture under the Fertilisers Act 1928, for the year commencing 1st November, 1951.

Bees In Box Hives, A Kessell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The keeping of bees in other than properly appointed hives with standard frames is illegal in Western Australia as such hives make it almost impossible to inspect the swarms in order to check for disease. Nevertheless, beekeepers occasionally encounter swarms which have established themselves or have been established in fruit cases or other types of boxes or containers.

[One of an ongoing series of articles, collectively titled: Bees and Honey]

Muresk Agricultural College

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The Muresk Agricultural College was founded in 1926 and is situated at Muresk, near Spencers Brook. The standard for admission is the Junior Certificate or its equivalent, and students with suitable advanced qualifications may be exempted from the first year classes of either of the following Diploma Courses:—

Grade Herd Recording: Increase In Fees

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The Superintendent of Dairying (Mr. M. Cullity) has announced that from March 1, 1952, onward, dairy farmers whose herds are included in the Grade Herd Recording scheme will be asked to pay a fee of 5s. per cow, instead of 3s. 6d.

A Reminder

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Have you registered your orchard? One fruit tree or a single vine is an orchard for the Purposes of the Plant Diseases Act and must be registered accordingly. The registration fee for less than one acre of trees or vines is 1s. Apply Department of Agriculture, Perth.

Here's The Answer

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Fowl pox: Could you please advise me how to cure a disease which has affected many birds in my flock of pullets during the past two weeks? The birds were hatched in July last and commenced laying three months ago in December when they were 5 1/2 months of age. They reached a 60 per cent, lay three weeks ago and I thought I was set for a good season but now their production has dropped to a 30 per cent, level, presumably as a result of this disease. Several birds have died and many more are looking very sick …