Life Sciences Commons^™

The Preperation Of Rose Beds, C C. Hillary

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

Roses equal to the world's best can be produced almost anywhere in the south-western part of Western Australia with little more attention than is bestowed on most other flowers. It is essential, however, that suitable soil conditions should be provided for the plants.

List Of Certified And Approved Potato Seed Growers

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

The following list of certified and approved potato seed growers is submitted for the benefit of those growers who have not yet purchased seed for their early and mid-season plantings:

The Pruning Of Fruit Trees—Part 2. Framework Pruning Of Deciduous Trees, H R. Powell

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

The early prunings are very important for the reason that they determine the height of the trunk, and the number and spacing of the main and secondary arms and leaders. Mistakes made then are difficult to rectify later on.

Trees Of Western Australia - The Grey Box, C A. Gardner

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

In the grey box the rough bark extends to the ultimate branches, unlike that of the coolabah where the smaller branches are usually smooth. The grey box is the common tree of the basalt areas to the north of the King Leopold Range, but unlike the coolabah it is not found along the streams but is more typical of the stony hills and undulating country. Its occurrence is so closely connected there with basalt and andesite, that this particular soil type can at once be mapped by reference to the grey box trees.

Wheat Variety Trials On Research Stations, 1952, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

To test the suitability under local conditions of the newer wheat varieties, whether bred in this State or introduced from the Eastern States, variety trials are conducted each year on five wheatbelt research stations. The results of these trials indicate the varieties most suitable to the various areas of the wheatbelt and serve as a guide to the farmer in the choice of the most suitable varieties to grow.

New Cereal Varieties In Australia, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

During 1952 four new wheat varieties and one new flax variety were submitted and accepted for registration. Particulars of the new varieties as supplied to the Registrar are as follows:—

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: The Thorn Apples (Datura Species), C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

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

Many garden enthusiasts are familiar with a shrub or small tree known as the "Angel's Trumpet" or "Trumpet-flowered Brugmansia." Some nurserymen call it "Brugsmania." There is another garden favourite which does not appear to possess a common name but is an annual or perennial plant from one to four feet in height, of summer growth and carrying erect violet or white trumpet-shaped flowers succeeded by large bristly or prickly pods. Both these are species of Datura. Another species is native to Western Australia while four more are introduced noxious weeds.

Analyses Of Feeding Stuffs

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

Results of Analyses of Samples of Feeding Stuffs taken under the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1951.

(Published under section 9 of the Act.)

Trees Of Western Australia— The Coolabah, C A. Gardner

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

The coolabah and the grey box are two common tropical trees which closely resemble each other in bark, foliage and other characters, but which differ widely in their soil requirements and in their timbers. Both are numbered among the most valuable trees of the Kimberley district because of the strength and durability of their exceedingly hard timbers and their resistance to the ravages of the termite.

The Pruning Of Fruit Trees—Part 1. General Principles, H R. Powell

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

In this series of three articles, an attempt is being made to explain the principles of fruit tree pruning, together with some of the difficulties likely to be encountered. The subject will be treated under three main headings in the following order:— 1—General Principles; 2.—Framework Pruning; 3.—Pruning of various kinds of fruit trees with special reference to treatment of fruiting wood. This first section will be confined mainly to stating the reasons why pruning is considered necessary and will describe the terms used to indicate the various parts of the tree.

Prickly Pear - Declared Noxious Weed

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

Many householders and orchardists seem to be unaware of the fact that the Prickly Pear has been declared a primary noxious weed for the Armadale- Kelmscott, Darling Range, Mundaring and Swan Road Board districts.

The Testing Of Bacterial Strains Used In The Inoculation Of Legumes, Olga M. Goss

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

A part from their value as fodder plants, legumes such as peas, beans, clovers, vetches and lucerne play an important role in increasing soil fertility. Their value in the soil-enriching sphere has been recognised for centuries, but it is only comparatively recently that the reason for it has been fully understood.

Trees Of Western Australia— Coral-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

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

Among the more decorative small trees available for planting in the Eastern Agricultural Areas, there are few more suitable that Eucalyptus torquata. This tree, known also as the "Christmas Tree" of the Coolgardie and Dundas districts usually blooms during December, and its handsome drooping coral-pink blossoms make it a conspicuous object in the woodlands at that season of the year. It was first discovered by L. C. Webster near Coolgardie in 1901, on a stretch of stony dioritic country 25 miles in length and about a quarter of a mile in breadth. It is found at least as far south …

Fertilisers, H G. Cariss

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

The Fertilisers Act, 1928, requires that all fertilisers sold in this State be registered annually with the Department of Agriculture. A list of fertilisers registered for the year commencing 1st November, 1952, showing the registered brand and name and registered analysis, together with the person or firm by whom the fertiliser is registered and the price of the fertiliser at the time of registration appears in this issue.

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria For The Inoculation Of Leguminous Seeds

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

The Plant Pathology Branch of the Department of Agriculture can supply the cultures listed below. Owing to the time taken to prepare the cultures, however, and owing also to the fact that in the busy time of the year there is frequently a tremendous accumulation of orders, farmers are requested to lodge their applications together with the requisite payment at least a fortnight before they wish the culture to be forwarded.

Scald In Granny Smith Apples, F Melville, S E. Hardisty

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

The Granny Smith has been the most widely grown variety of apple in Western Australia for many years. In 1946 a survey showed that more than one-third of the apple trees growing in this State were Granny Smiths and new plantings and reworkings since then have been predominately of this variety. Production in 1947, a very heavy crop year, exceeded a million bushels, which represented about 40 per cent, of the total apple crop for that year. This decided preference shown by growers for the Granny Smith emanates from its suitability to West Australian conditions and the strong demand for …

The Glorious Gladiolus, F Jackson

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

Possessing a wide colour range and striking beauty of form, the gladiolus is one of our most popular and spectacular annuals. When grown in large numbers, the mass formations of varied hues make beds of gladioli a sight to be remembered, but the flower is probably displayed at its best when used as a home decoration.

Trees Of Western Australia— White Mallee, C A. Gardner

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

This species is usually found in mallee form, growing from 10 to 18 feet tall, but may at times possess a single stem, and is thus a small tree. Both mallee and tree forms have characteristically a broad 'base or stock, so that frequently in the mallee forms the individual stems arise well above the soil level from a large domelike base. As a tree the stem may be as much as 18 inches in diameter. The species is characterised in the field by its white or pink bark which is covered throughout externally with a white smooth talc-like powder. …

Trees Of Western Australia— Lemon-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

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

The Lemon-flowered Gum is one of the lesser-known trees of the Eastern Goldfields. Originally discovered by Richard Helms, botanist to the Elder Exploration Expedition, 60 miles to the south of Victoria Spring, in 1892, it was not rediscovered until specimens were collected by Henry Dean, consulting engineer for the Trans-Australian Railway, near Zanthus in 1909. In that year it received from Maiden, Government Botanist of New South Wales, the name which commemorates Bernard H. Woodward, then Director of the Museum and Art Gallery in Perth.

Daffodils For Everyone, C C. Hillary

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

For hundreds of years, poets and authors of renown in almost every country have extolled in verse and prose the loveliness of the daffodil. And well they might, since it is a floral gem of great beauty and one so widely grown that it might well be called everybody's flower.

Barrel Clover, F L. Shier

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

Results obtained with barrel clover in recent years at the Salmon Gums Re- Al search Station suggest that this legume will play an important part in improving the quality and quantity of the grazing on many farms in the district. It has shown its ability to survive and to build up from small sowings under average rainfall conditions and to produce a large bulk of feed in a wet year By comparison Dwalganup subterranean clover has not done nearly as well.

The Distribution Of Some Important Toxic Plants Of South-Western Australia, R D. Royce

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

From the earliest days of settlement in Western Australia, native species of J- plants have been responsible for stock losses. As early as 1837, the plant now known as York Road Poison, was apparently causing the death of cattle, sheep and goats in the Guildford area, although the cause of the losses was at that time unknown. By 1842, James Drummond, the earliest of the botanical workers in Western Australia, had identified at least three species of Gastrolobium and one species of Oxylobium as being toxic. Subsequent experience in the field, together with experimental evidence has proved that 25 species …

Poison Plants Of Western Australia - Cape Tulip, C A. Gardner

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

For countless ages the flora of Western Australia remained as a separate entity undisturbed by plant intruders, but following upon the arrival of the white man came a number of plants, some of which proved able colonists. These included useful plants such as the naturalised clovers; others such as the Cape weed developed here to an extent not to be observed in their natural home. Some of the plants now regarded as troublesome weeds were accidentally introduced by various agencies, while others were deliberately imported, but have since become widespread.

Trees Of Western Australia - Swamp Or Flat Topped Yate, Brown Mallet And Four-Winged Mallee, C A. Gardner

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

The two trees described here under may be readily distinguished when growing as they differ considerably in their barks and general appearance and grow under different conditions, but in common with some other trees of the Southwest each has the mallee form, and the mallee forms are very difficult to distinguish.

Lawns - Their Establishment And Management, H G. Elliott

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

It may be said that 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 a sufficiency of water and proper care and attention are available.

The Passion Fruit - Its Cultivation In Western Australia, F Melville

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

Passion fruit has been grown commercially for many years in Western Australia, A where its delightful flavour has made it very popular. It may be eaten fresh or as a component of fruit salads and preserves, is held in high regard by housewives for flavouring cakes and icing, and more recently has been extensively used in the production of a proprietary aerated beverage.

Pedigree Seed Of Wheat, Oats And Barley

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

Supplies of pedigree seed wheat, oats and barley will be available for distribution from the forthcoming harvest at the Department's Research Stations. The seed will be available on a cash basis only. Varieties available this season are listed below.

Growth Regulating Substances Used For Weed Killing, G R. W Meadly

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

Many discoveries of considerable importance to agriculture have been made accidentally while scientists have been working on other problems. The presence of a hormone, or growth-regulating substance, in plants has been known for many years, and in 1934 chemists were able to define the composition of this substance. With this information it was possible to prepare synthetically many related chemicals which were applied experimentally to plants, mainly for the purpose of stimulating growth, particularly with a view to promoting root development of cuttings.

Raising Japanese Plum Trees From Cuttings

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

Occasionally prunings from Japanese plums used as stakes for peas, root readily and in a number of instances have made good trees. This applies particularly to such varieties as Santa Rosa and Satsuma. Interesting evidence of the performance of another variety has recently come from a Bedfordale grower, Mr. J. E. Dowell. Last year, after pruning a new Japanese variety called Purple King, he planted 18 cuttings, each about nine inches in length, in moist black loamy soil.

Trees Of Western Australia - Gimlets And Pear Fruited Mallee, C A. Gardner

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

Next to the salmon gum, the gimlet tree is perhaps the best-known of the trees of the Eastern Agricultural Districts and the Eastern Goldfields. A thin reddish brown bark, and a fluted or spirally-twisted trunk (especially in the young trees), distinguish at a- glance the gimlet trees or fluted gums from all other Eucalyptus trees. This bark has a thin outer layer which when removed reveals a sappy pale green, inner bark, and sometimes this inner green bark is exposed when the trees shed their reddish-brown outer bark towards the end of summer.