Life Sciences Commons^™

Plants For Saltland : Samphire, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE photograph shows two bushes of "samphire" (mainly Arthrocnemum spp).

This common name is ascribed to several plants, all of which occur naturally in the agricultural areas in Western Australia.

Plants For Saltland : This Is Bluebush, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Bluebush occurs naturally in the 12-16 inch rainfall belt in Western Australia.

It provides very productive and nutritious fodder.

Insect Pests Of Cotton In The Ord River Irrigation Area, K T. Richards

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

COTTON is grown in the Ord Valley of north Western Australia, mainly as an annual, irrigated crop during the hot summer months of the "wet season".

It is usually planted in November-December and harvested March-May.

This period of growth corresponds closely to that of maximum insect activity.

Roses : The Ideal Garden Flower, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE popularity of roses is increasing year by year and there is no need for any comment on the virtues of these flowers.

Apart from isolated areas right on the coast and similar extremely windy locations, roses can be grown with confidence, and you will be rewarded with a wealth of choice blooms.

A Chemical For Doublegee, Geoffrey A. Pearce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DURING the past two years, finance has been made available from the State Wheat Research Fund for an intensive study on doublegee.

A newly-developed herbicide has been shown to give complete control of growing plants, while ecological studies have started to yield valuable information about seed behaviour.

Docks, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Some very encouraging results have been obtained by spraying docks with a solution containing Dicamba.

This herbicide was previously known as Banvel D and is distributed under the trade name of Banex, which contains 20 per cent, active ingredient.

Why Not Take Another Look At The Loquat?, W J. Hart

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Loquats were introduced to Australia in New South Wales in the early days of the colony.

Although they hare since been established throughout the country, loquats have never found a prominent place in the horticulture industry.

In this article W. J. Hart of the Horticulture Division says Why not take another look at the loquat ?

Broom Rape, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BROOM RAPE (Orobanche australiana) is a parasite which becomes attached to the roots of other plants.

It is not very selective regarding hosts and has been found parasitising many species, but particularly clovers.

Lawns : Their Establishment And Management, H G. Elliott, F. E. Ryan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THERE is nothing more pleasing to the eye than a well kept lawn, be it in a home garden or covering a sporting area, and under Western Australian conditions there is no reason why a good lawn or turf cannot be developed and maintained—always provided that there is enough water and proper care and attention.

Creeping Knotweed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Creeping knotweed (Polygonum prostratum) is a native perennial species which has exhibited weed tendencies, especially on land which retains moisture during the summer.

Saffron Thistle, B J. Quinlivan, H. A. Pearce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Saffron thistle is a declared primary noxious weed in Western Australia and is especially troublesome in the northern agricultural areas.

Field trials aimed at finding the cheapest and most effective method of controlling the weed have shown that 2,4-D applied at the correct stage is the best chemical to use.

The Pruning Of Fruit Trees : Deciduous Fruit Trees (Apricots), H R. Powell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

APRICOTS are grown in this State mainly for the fresh fruit market. Varieties commonly grown include Newcastle Early, Royal, Ouillins Early, Blenheim, Moorpark, Trevatt and Tilton.

In some orchards the trees are regularly pruned, but in others they are left unpruned. Unpruned trees are given some renovation pruning from time to time.

Continuation of an illustrated series on pruning fruit trees, by H. R. Powell, B.Sc. (Agric), Chief, Horticulture Division.

Lucerne Establishment On The West Midland Sandplain, J W. Gartrell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WEST of Dandaragan and the Midland line from Watheroo to Mingenew there are four million acres of scrubplain commonly called the Western Sandplain.

All virgin soils in this region are acutely nitrogen deficient so that the agricultural future of the region depends on how successfully legumes are grown.

Weed Control Around The Yard, Geoffrey A. Pearce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MANY farmers and city householders have weed problems around houses and sheds which can be readily overcome by treatment with appropriate herbicides.

The risk from fire through weeds and unsightly growth can easily be removed and an area free of any plant growth can be maintained with little effort for a considerable period.

Crabgrass, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Crabgrass growing in lawns can be controlled by spraying with a solution containing D.S.M.A. (dosodium methyl arsenate).

Linseed Growing In The Ord River Valley, D F. Beech

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Experimental work with linseed at the Kimberley Research Station began in 1952 and has been intensified in the last four years.

Fertiliser requirements and methods of land preparation, sowing, irrigation and weed control have been established.

Suitable varieties have been selected. Farm-scale crops have been grown in the area and, although cotton is very much more remunerative as an establishment crop, it is expected that linseed will ultimately have a place in the Ord irrigation scheme.