Life Sciences Commons^™

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:—

Tobacco Field Day, J A. Mallett

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

Undaunted by grey clouds and misty rain, about 75 people interested in tobacco culture attended a field day at the Tobacco Research Station, Manjimup, on February 15. Fortunately the threatened downpour failed to materialise and the visitors were able to enjoy to the fullest extent an interesting and highly instructive series of demonstrations and lecturettes.

*Secondary title: Successful event at Manjimup

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: Isotropis, C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

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

The genus Isotropis is restricted to Australia. Of the total of nine species six are recorded in Western Australia, two of them being known as "Lamb poisons" while the remainder have no common names. Three are known to be toxic to stock, but concerning the remaining three we have no definite information.

* Poison Plants of Western Australia is an ongoing series of articles. "Toxic Plants of the Genus Isotropis" is the subtitle and primary focus of this article.

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 …

More Beef From The Kimberleys, Grant A. Smith

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

Beef production in the Kimberleys is an industry which has eked out a precarious existence for many years. Today it is offered an unprecedented opportunity for expansion on sound economic lines, and it is the purpose of this article to offer some suggestions as to how this may best be achieved.

[Part 1 of ongoing series of articles]

Editorial - His Work Endures

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

In presenting the first issue of the "Journal of Agriculture" in its new form, it is with profound sorrow that we chronicle the passing of the Hon. Garnet Barrington Wood, M.L.C., Minister for Agriculture and the North-West, who died suddenly during a Cabinet meeting on January 2. The change of policy in the presentation of this Journal was keenly supported by the late Minister, and only a few hours before his death he had promised to write a foreword to the first issue, which was to have appeared on this page.

More Windmill Shut-Offs, "Martingale" .

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

Since we printed the description of a type of automatic windmill shut-off used on Abydos Station, Port Hedland, in the issue of December, 1951, several readers of the "Journal" have written to describe alternative methods of pulling a mill "out of the wind" when the tank is filled. In a number of cases there were variations of the same idea, and in this article the main principles are described, together with some other ingenious gadgets which the author has encountered over the years.

Poison Plants - Pituri, C. A. Gardner, H. W. Bennetts

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

Only a few of the drug-yielding plants found on their hunting grounds appear ^* to have been known to the Australian aborigines. Among those used and valued was the plant called "pituri" by the Central Australian tribes. The leaves of this plant, after drying and suitable preparation, were chewed as a narcotic.

Some Instructive Field Days, "Martingale" .

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

Although fully conversant with the old newspaperman's adage which states that "Yesterday's news is the bath-heater fuel of today," we make no apology for including these reports of field days held after our December issue had gone to press. It is felt that they contain some useful lessons which, even at this late date, are deserving of emphasis.

Aids To Better Shearing, W. L. Mcgarry, J. Reilly, M. Butler

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

The demonstrations and instructional work in shearing that have been carried out in the farming areas have revealed the universal difficulty among learner-shearers in "getting a cut." Experience has shown that this absence of good cutting in handpieces has been due in large measure to the general lack of knowledge regarding grinding and the correct adjustment or "setting up" of the combs and cutters on the handpiece. Poor cutting has also resulted from the common practice of using combs and cutters that do not match, together with faulty handpiece maintenance. These and other factors leading to such poor results will …

Diphenyl Wraps For Oranges, F. Melville

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

Diphenyl impregnated wraps have been successfully used on a commercial basis overseas for improving the keeping quality of oranges. Last year Mr. E. G. Hall, of the C.S.I.R.O. Laboratories, Homebush, kindly made available a quantity of diphenyl wraps of American origin and some of these were used in a small storage experiment with Washington Navel oranges.

Apples, Pears,And Stone Fruit, H. R. Powell

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

Disappointing settings of pome fruits have been a feature of this season's crop reports. Hail caused heavy losses in restricted areas and a lot of fruit was blemished by looper caterpillars. The setting of stone fruits was particularly good.

Orchard Notes - March-April

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

Cover crops should be planted with the first winter rains to ensure satisfactory growth before the cold wet weather sets in. New Zealand Blue Lupins are the favourite crop, particularly amongst citrus orchardists. The lupin is a vigorous plant and produces excellent bulk. Tick beans may be used as an alternative crop and are useful in shaded positions. They are extensively used in commercial vineyards. Field peas may also be planted but the bulk of green material produced is much less than from lupins or tick beans.

North Of The Nullarbor Plain, A. R. Tomlinson, C. K. Blair

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

For a few hardy dingo-trappers—experienced bushmen able and willing to endure the rigours pf a nomadic existence in a waterless country - the area to the north of the Nullabor Plains has long been a favoured watering ground. In the 1949-1950 season bounties were paid on about 3,000 dingo scalps from this area.