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.

Plant Disease - Early Blight Or Target Spot Of Potatoes, W P. Cass Smith, M Hardie, B N. Lowe

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

Early blight or target spot caused by the fungus Alternaria solani is a widespread disease of potatoes which in Western Australia is most prevalent in crops dug in autumn and early summer. The disease may attack both foliage and tubers, but the tuber rot phase of the disease has hitherto caused most concern to local growers because it causes obvious losses in storage. The less obvious but more serious effects of the foliage blight have generally been overlooked, chiefly because the disease usually develops late in the season when the crops are approaching maturity. However recent spray trials with new …

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:

Bracken Fern Control, F E. Ryan

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

Bracken fern occurs over a large proportion of the civilised world and is recognised in all countries as a serious pasture pest. Its control is a matter of great concern. In Western Australia large areas have been invaded by bracken, and recommendations for its control have been made from time to time. Generally speaking, control measures are aimed at the removal of the frond cover and stimulating pasture growth beneath.

Swill-Feeding Of Pigs, J F. Robinson

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

The feeding of food refuse (commonly known as "swill") to pigs is governed by regulations 1 under the Stock Diseases Act and any owner of pigs employing this method of feeding must be in possession of a license issued by the Chief Inspector of Stock. To obtain such a license, he must have installed an approved type of heat treatment plant.

Rearing Calves On Ten Gallons Of Milk, L C. Snook

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

Only a limited number of calves are reared on dairy farms which sell whole milk. At current prices, it is only a very good calf which is worth more than the milk it would consume, and as a result, the heifer calves from thousands of productive cows are each year slaughtered at birth. In the past the whole milk supplier was able to obtain his herd replacements from farmers in the more distant dairying districts who, of necessity sold butterfat and could rear calves on separated milk.

Crop Spraying With Hormone-Like Weedkillers, G R. W Meadly

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

Although a considerable amount of investigational work on various weeds was carried out during last season it is intended to devote this article to experience gained from large scale undertakings as distinct from experiments. A very successful aerial spraying project was undertaken against water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) at Lake Monger and pasture weeds such as thistles and Cape tulip (Homeria spp.) were treated with hormone-like preparations in a number of districts, but by far the greatest activity with these chemicals was associated with the selective control of weeds such as wild turnip (Brassica Tournefortii), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and mustard …

Layout Of A Dairy Premise, A E. Baker

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

As the average dairyman spends a large proportion of his working time in the milking shed throughout the year, careful attention to the layout of these premises will give good returns in time saved, and will enable the task of milking to be carried out efficiently and with a minimum of discomfort.

The Ceylon Crow

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

Specimens of the Ceylon crow occasionally reach Western Australia, having apparently "stowed away" on ships from overseas. Several have been shot in the metropolitan area in recent years.

Infectious Pneumonia Of Pigs, C R. Toop

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

Infectious pneumonia is by far the most common disease of pigs in Western Australia and 1 is a source of serious loss to the pig industry. It has a wide distribution, and evidence of its existence in one form or another may be found in a large proportion of piggeries throughout the State. It is largely confined to young pigs and is most frequently observed in weaners and slips. For the most part it occurs as a chronic disease with symptoms of coughing, unthnftiness and retarded growth, but it may occasionally assume an acute form accompanied by serious mortality.

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.

Disease Of Bees, R S. Coleman

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

All beekeepers dread the appearance of disease in their hives, for it means at the least a large drop in the honey crop and at the worst, complete destruction of whole apiaries and the beekeepers' means of livelihood. Quite apart from the economic loss, beekeepers are usually men who work with bees because they like them, and naturally they do not want to see whole colonies destroyed.

Dingo Destruction 2—Some Hints On Shooting, A G. Moore

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

These articles have been written to assist professional and amateur doggers, as well as farmers, to destroy dingoes or wild dogs (the term "wild dogs" is generally used to include both dingoes and domestic dogs which are running wild). The information given has been gathered from extensive experience in most of the areas of the State to the south of the Transcontinental railway line.

Schools For Farmers - Muresk Winter Courses Resumed

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

THE short instructional courses for farmers which were a popular feature of the Muresk Agricultural College in pre-war years will be recommenced during July next.

Two three-day courses have been arranged, one on sheep and wool extending from the evening of July 21, to the afternoon of July 24, and another dealing with pig husbandry lasting from the evening of July 28 to the afternoon of July 31. Farmers desiring to enroll in these courses should obtain an application form from the Principal of the Muresk Agricultural College, Muresk, W.A., or from the Department of Agriculture, St. George's Terrace, Perth.

Insect Pest - The Black Beetle, C F.H Jenkins

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

The black beetle (Heteronychus sanctae-helenae Blanchard) is a native of South Africa which seems to have first gained a footing in Australia in about 1930, for it was then recorded as a pest of maize in New South Wales. (Gurney 1934). The first reports of the beetle in Western Australia came from Albany in 1938 when some damage to potatoes was experienced. Since that date the beetle has gradually spread and it is now common in the metropolitan area where it infests golf greens, tennis courts and similar turf areas. It is also gradually increasing in importance as a market …

Plant Disease - Black Spot (Anthracnose) Of Grapes, W P. Cass Smith, H L. Harvey, W R. Jamieson

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

Black spot or Anthracnose of grapes caused by the fungus Elsinoe ampelina is a widespread and serious disease. In commercial vineyards it is often responsible for considerable reduction in yield and quality of fruit, and in home gardens also it may prove very damaging. Under commercial conditions the disease has proved difficult to control in seasons favourable for its development despite the routine application of accepted fungicides. Fortunately, preliminary results of recent spray trials indicate that greatly improved control is likely to result in future from the use of a number of new fungicides.

Seasonal Reminders

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

Tobacco Growing

In experiments which have been conducted for nine years at the Research Station, it has been found that, on light sandy loam soil, a lupin cover crop produces tobacco of the best quality during the following season. This applies especially to new land and the apparent reason is that lupins, when ploughed into the soil, produce a good bulk of organic matter which creates a better texture in the soil and a better moisture holding capacity. New Zealand blue lupins are recommended and it is advisable to inoculate seed before sowing, especially on new land. Application of fertiliser …

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.

Efficiency In The Apiary, R S. Coleman

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

Efficiency is a word that most people associate with factories and city life, but it is just as important, if not more important, for the primary producer. Reduced to everyday English, efficiency means more goods produced with less labour and with lower capital investment for the unit of produce sold. Efficiency can be called planned business commonsense designed to save time and money.

Plant Disease - Corm Rots Of Gladioli, Olga M. Goss

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

Several diseases of gladioli now present in Western Australia can be very damaging to the plants under certain conditions. The diseases referred to in this article attack not only the above-ground portions of the plant, but the corms also, and their introduction to new areas usually results from the planting of infected corms. When such corms are planted the disease spreads to the developing shoots and leads to inferior growth and flower production, and in some cases to the death of the plant. An even more serious feature of the disease is that the soil becomes contaminated with the organisms …

Worms In Sheep, C R. Toop

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

The parasitic worms of sheep are widely distributed throughout Australia and are a source of serious loss to the sheep and wool industry. This results from the loss of condition which occurs in infested animals as well as from the failure of young sheep to thrive and make normal growth, and there is a consequent reduction both in carcase values and in the quantity and quality of wool produced. Furthermore, heavy infestations with worms are frequently responsible for serious mortalities.

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.

A Note On Chronic Footrot Of Dairy Cattle

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

With the advent of treatment with ™ sodium sulphamezathine for footrot of dairy cattle, many of the troubles associated with this condition have largely been overcome.

However, the importance of early treatment is sometimes overlooked and Fig. 1.—Chronic footrot caused the ragged growth of new bone shown in the two lower pictures. At the top are the bones of a healthy foot from an animal of similar size. some farmers are inclined to blame the drug when treatment has been commenced after the animal has been affected for some time and a cure does not result. Why treatment is not …

The Farm Bookshelf

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

Dr. Josue de Castro, Chairman of Executive, Food and Agriculture Organisation, is a Brazilian, whose recently-published book "Geography of Hunger" presents an appalling picture of a world in which hunger is still the most potent source of social misfortunes.

The Shorthorns, J A. Mallett

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

Among "The Stud Farm of the World" the red, white and roan Shorthorns have always been given pride of place in the cattle section. They were the first of the popular cattle breeds existing today to be systematically improved, and at the present time approximately three-quarters of all the cattle in the British Isles carry a preponderance of Shorthorn blood.

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.

Free To Stockbreeders - Booklets On Genetics

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

Department of Agriculture has received from the C.S.I.R.O. about 1,000 copies of Dr. A. L. Hagedoorn's booklet, "A Geneticist Talks with Australian Animal Breeders." These are to be made available free of charge to stockbreeders in this State. Readers of the Journal who breed farm livestock, including poultry, should apply for copies without delay to the Director, Department of Agriculture, Perth.