Life Sciences Commons^™

Internal Parasites Of Cattle, J Craig

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

Worm infestation (Parasitic Gastro-Enteritis) is frequently a cause of serious economic loss both in calves and yearlings. It is unfortunate, however, that stock owners do not realise until too late the full extent of the effects of these worm parasites—for the cost can be counted not only in the actual deaths sustained, but in the resultant check in the animal's growth and development.

Better Dairying Competition, H G. Elliott

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

The success of the Better Dairying Competitions in previous years prompted the Western Australian Pasture Improvement Committee of the Australian Dairy Produce Board to again sponsor a similar competition during 1951-1952. The committee which receives funds from the Australian Dairy Produce Board and the Rural Credits Branch of the Commonwealth Bank, offered substantial cash prizes in the six zones as detailed below.

Farm Fencing Hints - Straining The Wires, J A. Mallett

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

Having erected the posts and run the wires, the next task is that of straining the wires and—where barbed wires are used—tying them to the posts. Where wires have to be joined in the fence, the "figure eight knot," or "fencer's knot" as it is often called, is probably the best of all. It is easy to make, once one has mastered the knack, holds safely under strain, and may be pulled through a hole in a fence-post if the points are bent over.

Tree Lucerne, L C. Snook

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

Perhaps the greatest need in our agricultural areas is for a hardy legume which year after year will provide palatable green fodder during the late summer months. In the white-flowered Tree Lucerne (Cystisus prolifer) such a legume is available. Surprisingly enough, this hardy perennial shrub has never been exploited. Tree Lucerne is so hardy that self-seeded thickets can be seen growing on virgin land in the Darling Ranges and I have seen seedlings in the streets of Corrigin healthy and robust after six months without rain. The foliage is so palatable that cattle and horses will break down quite large …

Evicting Bees From Houses, A Kessell

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

Every year, the Apicultural Branch receives a number of inquiries from harassed householders concerning methods of evicting bee colonies which have taken up their abode in houses. Cavity walls often provide cosy quarters for swarms seeking accommodation, while others establish themselves in chimneys, ventilators and under floors.

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

Alsatian Dogs

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

Because of their size, intelligence and potential ferocity, if they become sheep-killers, Alsatian dogs may not be kept in Western Australia unless they have been effectively sterilised.

The Wedge-Leaved Rattlepod, C A. Gardner

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

During the last two years, work has been in progress near Fitzroy Crossing (West Kimberley) upon an investigation to determine the cause of Kimber- Iey Horse Disease, commonly known as "Walkabout Disease." The investigations are still in progress, and the findings when completed, will be published elsewhere, but the discovery that Crotalaria retusa L. is a cause—and probably the major cause —of this disease is of considerable importance. Because of this it is considered advisable to assist pastoralists to recognise the plant and by providing information on its habit, occurrence and distribution, to enable them to take steps to minimise …

Grain Silos For Muresk

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

On September 7, two grain silos, each with a capacity of 2,000 bushels were formally handed over to Muresk Agricultural College by representatives of the Trustees of the Wheat Pool of Western Australia.

A Successful Method Of Spraying Against Looper Caterpillars And Other Springtime Pests, J C. Rowbotham

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

Description of a method which has proved successful over the past two seasons on the orchards of Messrs. J. L. Parke and W. Parke, of Donnybrook, should prove of interest to the large number of apple growers who during past seasons have suffered losses due to excessive blemishing of fruit by looper caterpillars (Chloroclystis lacticostata) and other spring pests.

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.

Season Reminders For November-December

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

The main cultivation of orchards and vineyards should now be completed and any further working of the soil should be restricted to the control of weed growth. Continuous cultivation of clean ground serves no useful purpose but can be very harmful by accelerating the loss of organic matter from the soil.

Mastitis, J Craig

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

Mastitis, or inflammation of the udder, is responsible for tremendous losses to the dairying industry throughout the world. The disease may be caused by several different types of bacteria, the most common of which, the Streptococcus, is responsible for about 80% of all cases of mastitis. The Staphylococcus is involved in about 10% of cases and the remaining 10% are caused by other micro-organisms.

Here's The Answer

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

Having read with interest the articles on roses which have appeared in the Journal I am inquiring if you can supply some advice on the rooting of Fortuniana cuttings. I have grown two Fortuniana bushes with the idea of striking some cuttings for stocks. I already have some nice roses but all are growing on briar stocks which were obtained by taking up some of the suckers. This query was received in a letter addressed to the author of the rose articles (Mr. C. C. Hillary) but unfortunately you omitted to sign the letter. Fortuniana cuttings are best taken

Gascoyne Research Station Field Day

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

About 100 banana-growers and local residents were present at the Gascoyne Research Station, Carnarvon, on May 28 when the station's first field day was opened by the Deputy-Director of Agriculture (Mr. A. L. McKenzie Clark).

Shearing Time, M Butler

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

Shearing time on the farm with its attendant worries will soon be coming: around. Now is the time to see that everything is in readiness so that there shall be no hold-ups during the shearing. Any stoppages during shearing are costly to the farmer, and represent a waste of valuable time for the shearers. In order to ensure smooth shearing it is the farmer's responsibility to see that nothing over which he has control is left undone, particularly in regard to his machinery and shed equipment.

The Prevention Of Sucker Growth Of Tobacco After Topping, T G. Haney

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

Experiments conducted overseas and elsewhere in Australia have shown that the application of mineral oils to the cut surface of the tobacco stem after topping (removal of the flower head) have reduced the amount of sucker growth of tobacco plants. Previous experience in Western Australia has shown that the most appropriate time for topping of tobacco crops has been after the first leaf has been harvested. This operation has the effect of putting more body and width into the tip leaves, which, without topping, tend to be narrow and comparatively light in weight. With late planted crops, however, crops are …

The Control Of Mealy Bug On Vines In Western Australia, P N. Forte

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

The mealy bug (Pseudococcus maritimus Ehr.) was first recorded on vines in Western Australia in 1898 (A. M. Lea, 1898). Since then it has been reported present in certain years in large numbers with consequent loss of quality in the vine products.

Foreword, A L. Mckenzie Clark

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

The soil is a nation's heritage —a rich legacy from past generations of pioneers who laboured and endured hardships in order that the land should produce for the nourishment and clothing of mankind. We

Farm Fencing Hints, J A. Mallett

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

Boring the fence-posts to take the wires is an important operation in fence construction. Unless the holes are well aligned and running parallel with the fence-line and the ground, the task of "running" the wires will be made very difficult, and the appearance and effectiveness of the finished fence will suffer.

Training A Sheep Dog, E G. Riley

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

An untrained sheep dog pup doesn't cost very much, even in these days of inflated prices, but when he is properly trained he will perform in a few minutes, work that ten men could not accomplish in as many hours. That is a point worth remembering when training a dog—you are developing an asset, that will save you a hundred times his cost in time and temper—so it is well worth your while to train him properly.

Hints On Chicken Rearing, R H. Morris

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

The ultimate profit to be made from poultry farming depends largely on how successfully each year's chickens are reared. A bird can be made or marred during its growing life and many aspects must be considered in rearing chickens successfully, some of the more important of which I will treat very briefly today.

Trees Of Western Australia - Salmon Gum And Scarlet Pear Gum, C A. Gardner

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

The name salmonophloia, meaning salmon-barked, was given to this tree in 1878 by Ferdinand Mueller, the famous Australian botanist. The title of "Salmon- Barked Gum-Tree" had already been bestowed upon this tree by the early settlers, a name which apparently referred to the colour of the bark in fracture when it resembles the colour of cooked salmon flesh. The external colouration varies from a brownish pink at the end of summer to almost white in winter, usually with greyish-purple patches.

The Winter Pruning Of Roses, C C. Hillary

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

Next to picking armfuls of blooms, I doubt whether any phase of rose growing gives the gardener greater pleasure than pruning. To cut off a misplaced branch, or to relieve the plant of worn-out wood which has already produced its share of flowers; to snip away the spindly growths and twiggy bits which overcrowd the centre of the bush; to stand off and visualise just how lovely the plant will look when covered with flowers in three months' time, only to return again and cut off an inward-growing shoot which threatens to upset the symmetry of the bush; all this …

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: Toxic Plants Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium, C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

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

Since the early days of settlement in Western Australia very heavy stock losses have resulted from the many poisonous species of the two closely related genera, Gastrolobium and Oxylobium which, with two exceptions, are widely distributed throughout the southern areas of the State. They constitute the largest groups of native poisonous plants and have been responsible for a large proportion of the economic losses due to plant poisoning.

Plant Diseases - Entyloma Leaf Spot Of English Marigold, R F. Doepel

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

The English marigold or calendula is a hardy ornamental which is widely grown in gardens throughout Western Australia. With the exception of eelworm attack on the roots it is seldom troubled by diseases and this feature has no doubt contributed to its popularity.

Here's The Answer

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

Bulk super storage

We are thinking of storing superphosphate in bulk next year, and in order to assess the quantity of storage space likely to be needed we would appreciate some indication of the number of cubic feet required to house a ton of super.

Wheat Crop Competitions, I Thomas, H G. Cariss

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

The last issue of the Journal gave a review of the results of the 50-acre wheat crop competitions sponsored by the W.A. Flour Millowners' Association in 1948/49, 1949/50 and 1950/51, together with the championship awards for 1951/52 In this issue are set out the results for the individual zones in the 1951/52 competition, together with the judges' reports and details of each competitor's cultural operations.

Peach Leaf Curl, W P. Cass Smith

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

Peach leaf curl caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans is a very common disease in this State during the spring and early summer. In addition to attacking both edible and flowering peaches, the fungus also attacks nectarines, almonds and apricots. When preventive measures are neglected the disease may be anticipated yearly commencing in spring.

Hormone Weedicide Injury To Grape Vines, W P. Cass Smith

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

During the present season, serious injury to grape vines from 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, proprietary weedicides, has been noticed on two occasions. In each case the damage, which included killing of vines outright, was brought about by spraying weeds between the rows or on headlands.