Life Sciences Commons^™

The Insect Vector In Relation To Myxomatosis, J A. Button

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

The rabbit is undoubtedly the greatest single pest with which agriculturalists in this country have to contend. It is, therefore, not surprising that any new and promising method of controlling the pest should be greeted with considerable interest. Although a great deal has already been written regarding the myxomatosis virus a brief and co-ordinated summary of the situation as it now exists in Australia, with particular reference to this State, should prove of value as a guide to the wider establishment of the disease next summer.

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.

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.

Farm Fencing Hints - Gates And Gadgets, J A. Mallett

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

Apart from the fact that they add immeasurably to the appearance of a property, good gates are permanent assets—sound investments which pay generous dividends over the years, both in peace of mind and in the saving of many man-hours of valuable time.

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.

Checking Run-Off On Cultivation

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

Many people passing Mr. S. C. Leonard's property in the Perenjori district have been puzzled by the unusual patterns left on his cultivated paddocks (see right hand photograph). They are the result of an interesting experiment to check runoff.

Plant Disease - Crown Gall Of Fruit Trees, W P. Cass Smith

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

Crown gall is a widespread bacterial disease which affects many different plants. It is most frequently noticed on fruit trees particularly pome and stone fruits, but it also attacks grapes, berry plants, and ornamentals, including roses.

Disease Of Dairy Cattle - Warts And Eye Cancer, J Craig

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

Papilloma or warts are by no means uncommon in dairy cattle in Western Australia. In maturing cows, they usually occur on the udder, while in young stock they may be found on the head, neck, and shoulders. In bad cases, a large proportion of the body area may be covered with the warts, forming large cauliflower- like masses which often bleed easily.

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.

Seasonal Reminders

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

Now that the plant is fully grown and leaves are maturing, growers should be on the way towards commencement of harvesting and curing. These operations can seriously reduce the value of a good crop if handled carelessly. If you have an even crop and are using inexperienced labour, it is possible to go around the crop the day before harvest and say how many leaves are to be picked from each plant. There may be from two to five. In an uneven crop this is impossible.

Here's The Answer

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

Recently we had to dismantle and rebuild a Sunshine harvester main wheel. We managed to complete the job fairly satisfactorily but probably a few hints on the correct procedure would have enabled us to do the work with only a fraction of the expenditure of time and labour. Could you publish any notes that might help?

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.

Wild Dog Investigations, A R. Tomlinson, C K. Blair

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

Following the information gained during the expedition to the north of the Nullabor plains in 1951, which indicated that dogs were moving along well defined "leads" on to the Plains from the direction of the Warburton Ranges, the Agriculture Protection Board authorised a further expedition by the Vermin Control Branch to endeavor to trace the origin of the migrations. Large sandhills had prevented the Nullabor Plains expedition from following the "leads" as far north as planned.

Sheep Dipping

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

The dipping of all sheep in the Southwest Division of the State, as well as in the Dundas, Esperance and Westonia road districts and those portions of the Merredin, Narembeen, Lake Grace and Phillips River road districts situated east of the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence is compulsory, and is required to be carried out within six weeks of the date of shearing.

Storage Of Onions

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

The importation of onions at high prices during periods of scarcity may be avoided entirely as a result of some successful cool storage experiments recently undertaken by the Vegetable Branch of the Department of Agriculture.

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.

A Simple And Effective Cow Bail, L C. Snook

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

While visiting the property of Mr. R. Burke, Cowaramup, I saw in use a type of cow-bail which made an immediate appeal because of its simplicity, effectiveness and ease of working. Mr. Burke is obviously skilled at setting up practical time-saving devices but there seems to be no reason why other dairy farmers should not make use of the principle he employed.

List Of Stock Foods

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

The following stock foods have been registered with the Department of Agriculture under the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1951, for the year commencing 1st July, 1952

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.

Water Erosion Control - 5, B A'B Marsh

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

working holds rainwater where it falls; as a result erosion is reduced, and the effectiveness of rainfall is increased. Contour working is the working of the land in such a way that a large proportion of the furrows are fairly close to the contour. In short, furrows are level and will hold water.

Plant Disease - Black Rot Of Stocks, R F. Doepel

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

Stocks are easily grown plants deserving of a place in every garden. They are adapted to a wide range of cultural conditions and a colourful show of flowers can be obtained by planting suitable varieties. Black rot is a serious bacterial disease (causal organism Xanthomonas incanae) of these plants and is responsible for heavy losses in some plantings.

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Thinning Of Deciduous Fruits, F Melville, T F. Herlihy

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

In the absence of any artificial control of the crop, most varieties of fruit trees will set much more fruit than it is possible for the trees to bring to marketable size and this is particularly the case with stone fruits. Even under good cultural and weather conditions the trees are often unable to bring the fruit to satisfactory size unless thinning is practised.

Insect Pest - Aphides, C F.H Jenkins

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

The members of the aphis family are remarkable creatures both in structure and habits. They are practically world-wide in their distribution and despite their small size and apparent fragility they thrive under a wide variety of conditions and are among the most prolific breeders in the animal kingdom.

The Hughes Memorial Gateway At Muresk

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

A large gathering of past and present students and members of the staff attended a ceremony at Muresk Agricultural College on Visitors' Day, September 7, when a handsome gateway erected to the memory of Mr. Hugh Jason Hughes the first Principal of the College was officially opened by his widow.

New Flax Variety

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

The Minister for Agriculture (Sir Charles Latham) announced recently that a new flax variety developed in this State has been accepted for registration and released for commercial cultivation.

Teaching Chickens To Perch, R H. Morris

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

The important managerial practices in the successful raising of healthy birds. Each year, many good chickens have their growth seriously retarded and in some cases are even trampled to death, by being permitted to remain on the floor until they are 10 or 12 weeks of age. Through faulty husbandry, some chickens, especially heavy breeds, never learn to perch and, as laying hens, camp on the ground in preference to perching

Shearing Shed Design, W L. Mcgarry

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

As the returns from sales of wool represent a large proportion of many farmers incomes at the present time, it is essential that the fullest consideration should be given to any factors affecting the lifting and preparation of the clip for market. Foremost among these is the provision of adequately-designed sheds with plenty of light and sufficient space for shearing and classing and for the wool tables, bins, press and other equipment.

Water Erosion Control - 4, J E. Watson

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

Run-off water must be expected at some time or other from most agricultural land in Western Australia, where high intensity rains are likely to occur both in winter and summer. This run-off water will tend to concentrate in the natural drainage depressions of the slopes, and flow down to the main creeks. Running water is a principal agent of soil erosion, and it is essential that all channels where water flows must be protected if our lands are to be saved from the ravages of severe gully erosion.