Life Sciences Commons^™

Wagin : A New Wheat Variety, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE name "Wagin" had been given to the wheat crossbred M.121, which was being released by the Department of Agriculture for sowing in 1964.

Rabbit Fumigation, C D. Gooding

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Not all poisons act by absorption from the alimentary tract or through the skin, the fumigants are a big group of poisons used in pest control which act on the animal after being absorbed through the lungs.

FUMIGATION as it is now used in Western Australia is not always an economical way of treating whole farm properties. It should only be used on its own in areas where it is impossible to use other more permanent methods such as warren destruction.

A Progress Report On Commercial Cotton Growing On The Ord River Project, William John Toms

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The recommendations given in this article have been built up from the experience of the author in growing 200 acres of cotton in the Ord River area during the 1962-63 season for the Department of Agriculture, from findings made by Kimberley Research Station, and from discussions with the present farmers in the area.

When a new form of agriculture is introduced into a new area techniques and ideas change rapidly as farmers become acquainted with their new environment and the new crops. The recommendations will therefore require constant revision.

Bracken Fern Poisoning In Cattle, P B. Lewis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ONE of the major problems facing farmers in the South-West of Western Australia is the hazard of bracken fern poisoning.

Progress In The Control Of Cotton Fireweed, Geoffrey A. Pearce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Cotton Fireweed (Erechtites quadridentata) is native to Western Australia and was first collected by Drummond before 1850. In its natural habitat it is quite insignificant and passes unnoticed.

Cotton fireweed, a native perennial plant, has become a serious weed in the south coastal districts and is now one of the most widespread weeds in the State.

Storage Of Yates Apples In Polythene Lined Boxes, Frank Melville

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Yates apples are subject to shrivelling and must be carefully stored to prevent undue loss of moisture.

Trials conducted in 1955 demonstrated that wilting can be prevented by cold storage in polythene lined boxes and this is now common practice in this State.

Black Leg Of Cabbage And Related Plants, G C. Macnish

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BLACK LEG is a disease which attacks many kinds of cruciferous plants.Under certain conditions it can cause serious damage.

In Western Australia it has been recorded on cabbages, cauliflowers and kales.

The dry rot form damages swedes.

Oxalate Poisoning. 1. The Effect Of Oxalate-Containing Plants On Ruminants, M R. Gardiner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Poisoning by plants which contain salts of oxalic acid may be a more common cause of stock losses in Western Australia than was previously thought.

This article describes the effects of these plants on ruminants and outlines an experiment in which the toxicity of soursob was examined.

An article in next month's Journal of Agriculture will describe the most important oxalate-containing plants found in Western Australia.

Foliage Diseases Of Lucerne, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Lucerne is subject to several foliage diseases in Western Australia, the more important being common leaf spot, rust and downy mildew.

These fungal diseases are all favoured by humid conditions and are especially prevalent in lucerne stands growing under irrigation.

Control Of Copper, Zinc And Manganese Deficiencies In Fruit Trees, N J. Halse

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE three elements copper, zinc and manganese are plant nutrients of the type often referred to as minor or trace elements.

Although essential elements for plant growth, they are required in comparatively small quantities.

Geraniums : Floral Beauty With A Camel Touch, B Giles

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THERE are about 30 different kinds of ivy geraniums alone which a geranium enthusiast can collect.

Variations In Cream Tests, J F. Brennan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DURING the year dairy farmers are often concerned about variations in the butterfat test of cream they supply to the butter factory.

Why do these tests vary? Is the variation the fault of the farmer or the butter factory?

The Mango In Western Australia, K S. Cole

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ALTHOUGH normally considered a tropical tree, the mango does well in the sub tropics of Western Australia.

The main commercial area in the State is Carnarvon but a few trees grow as far south as Perth.

Septoria Leaf Blotch Of Oats, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SEPTORIA leaf blotch is a relatively common disease of oats in the southern cereal areas of Western Australia.

In some seasons it causes severe lodging.

Sixth Random Sample Laying Test : 1962-63, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SIXTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1962-63

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 3rd MARCH. 1963,

FOR 10 WEEK LAYING PERIOD FROM 21 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS

Broiler Research. 1. Meat Strains For Broiler Production, P Smetana

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A broiler trial to compare the performances of three special meat strains and a group of first cross cockerels was conducted at the Poultry Research Station, Wembley, in 1962.

Although there was little difference in profit there are several factors in favour of the special meat strain birds for broiler production.

Spraying For Grasshopper Control, T J. Tozer

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A BIG increase in cereal growing in the "hopper" belt has brought a general improvement in the grasshopper situation over the past few years.

This highlights the emphasis entomologists have placed on cultivation as the best known way of controlling grasshoppers.

Pasmo Of Linseed And Flax, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Pasmo is a foliage disease which may cause severe damage to plantings of linseed and flax approaching maturity.

The disease is favoured by warm humid conditions and is especially destructive when crops have lodged extensively as a result of storms.

The Webworm. 1. The Webworm In Its Natural Environment, J A. Button

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MANY farmers are concerned about the apparent increase in webworm numbers in recent years.

It has been suggested that the problem is now more widespread and the outbreaks more regular than a few years ago.

Spraying Guide For Control Of Pests And Diseases Of Fruit Trees, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE guide for spraying fruit trees has been prepared as a ready reference for fruit growers and as a reminder of control measures needed to deal with orchard pests and diseases.

The charts have been kept as brief as possible consistent with supplying details of recommended materials, concentrations and time of application.

Growers should consult Department of Agriculture leaflets or departmental officers for more detailed information.

Swing Fence Flood Crossing For Creeks In The Kimberleys, A L. Payne

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FENCING is the basis of the regeneration programme on the eroded Ord River catchment area, and the fences constructed must cross numerous creeks.

But heavy downpours of short duration characterise the wet season experienced in this area.

Because the rain falls on to bare, compacted ground, run-off is intense and gullies and creeks rise rapidly, causing serious damage to conventional fences and flood gates across watercourses.

List Of Registered Stock Foods : 1963-64, H G. Cariss

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

All foods for stock sold in Western Australia are required by the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1951, to be registered annually with the Department of Agriculture.

A list of stock foods which have now been registered with the Department of Agriculture for the current registration year appears here.

Back Flushing On Milking Machine Teat Cups, G W R Scott, K. Needham

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE possibility of replacing the dipping of teat cups between cows with a system of back flushing with water has been investigated for some time by different workers.

Does Herd Recording Help Farmers Improve Husbandry, Maurice C. Cullity

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE proportion of the dairy herds throughout Australia that are being production recorded is low.

This is particularly surprising when the large amount of propaganda encouraging farmers to herd test is considered.

Sixth Random Sample Laying Test, 1962-63, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SIXTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1962-63

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

REARING RESULTS AT HOUSING (21 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS)

List Of Registered Fertilisers : 1962/63, H G. Cariss

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN accordance with the provisions of the Fertilisers Act, 1928-1955, it is required that—with the exception of bulk sales to a manufacturer and those made in accordance with the buyer's written prescription—all fertilisers sold must be registered annually.

The registration year is from November 1 to October 31 in the following year. The list of fertilisers registered for the year commencing November 1, 1962 is set out in the following tables.

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals. 4. Quality Of The Seed, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The importance of using fresh good quality grain for sowing wheat crops was emphasised by results obtained in recent plot trials.

Seedling emergence was less for broken, pinched and small types of seed than for large grain and was further reduced with ageing of the seed.

Recommended Wheat Varieties : 1963, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE State Wheat Advisory Committee has issued its official list of recommended wheat varieties for 1963.

The list includes the new rust resistant variety Gamenya. Two other new varieties—Mengavi and Claymore—are provisionally recommended for trial sowings on farmers' properties.

Only Gamenya and Mengavi are resistant to the races of stem rust now present in this State.

Powdery Mildew Of Apples : Results Of Recent Spray Trials, R F. Doepel, S. E. Hardisty

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Powdery mildew of apples is found in orchard districts throughout the South-West.

recent years a rapid build-up of the disease has occurred in some plantings as a result of changes in orchard practice.

Satisfactory control can be achieved by pruning out infected shoots and spraying with Karathane or Morocide

Precautions For Day Old Fowl Pox Vaccination, P Smetana

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DURING 1962 day old vaccination was widely adopted as a preventative measure against fowl pox.

From June, 1961, until mid-June, 1962, this procedure proved to be highly successful, but from this date onwards a proportion of treated flocks became affected by breakdowns accompanied by mortality and retarded growth.

In some cases the losses were disturbingly high.