Life Sciences Commons^™

New Insecticides For The Control Of The Argentine Ant In Western Australia, P N. Forte, T Greaves

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

The Argentine Ant (Iridomyrmex humilis Mayr), has been the subject of much investigation in Western Australia. Jenkins (1943), Jenkins and Forte (1946, 1951), Jenkins (1948) and Forte (1949) have reported results of extensive work on the control of this pest. The results of the investigations have shown that effective control can be obtained by the use of DDT sprays but that large scale eradication was not possible with DDT.

Prickly Pear - Declared Noxious Weed

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

Many householders and orchardists seem to be unaware of the fact that the Prickly Pear has been declared a primary noxious weed for the Armadale- Kelmscott, Darling Range, Mundaring and Swan Road Board districts.

Wild Dogs

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

The Agricultural Protection Board has again pointed out that the time being spent by the Government doggers in hunting Individual wild dogs in farming areas was seriously hampering the more important work of destroying dogs by large-scale poisoning and trapping in their outback breeding areas.

Analyses Of Feeding Stuffs

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

Results of Analyses of Samples of Feeding Stuffs taken under the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1951.

(Published under section 9 of the Act.)

Have Your Journals Bound!

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

Books are expensive in these days, but any farmer can acquire a useful agricultural library at trifling: cost by keeping- his copies of his "Journal of Agriculture" and having each year's issues bound

Fruit Fly

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

Report from the Department of Agriculture's fruit fly inspectors indicate that satisfactory control of the pest is being maintained in commercial orchard areas, but heavy infestations are still being reported in some suburban districts. Among the host fruits recorded this season are citrus, apricots, peaches and mulberries. Fruit fly infestation in mulberries is of particular interest as until last year no official report had been made of fruit fly infestation in mulberries picked from the trees. On rare occasions, maggots have been found in masses of ripe fruit accumulating under the trees.

Dingo And Wild Dog Destruction, A G. Moore

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

It has often been said that poison is the best means of destroying dingoes and wild dogs. Poison acts silently and does not have the frightening effect of trapping. When used properly—on a well-planned system and at the right times— poisoning has given excellent results in controlling the pests.

The Citrus White Fly, C F.H Jenkins, D G. Shedley

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

For the first time in Western Australia the citrus white fly was recorded on lemon trees at Maddington in 1950 and since then it has been found to be widely distributed in the Maddington-Gosnells area and in scattered situations in the Darling Range, Middle Swan and Perth suburbs. It is also of interest to note that the insect appeared in Mildura citrus orchards in Victoria (Anon 1952), about the same time as it was reported from Western Australia, although there appears to be no explanation for its sudden dispersal over the continent.

The Testing Of Bacterial Strains Used In The Inoculation Of Legumes, Olga M. Goss

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

A part from their value as fodder plants, legumes such as peas, beans, clovers, vetches and lucerne play an important role in increasing soil fertility. Their value in the soil-enriching sphere has been recognised for centuries, but it is only comparatively recently that the reason for it has been fully understood.

Thin-Shelled Eggs, R H. Morris

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

Thin-shelled eggs are responsible for a loss of thousands of pounds annually to the West Australian poultry industry. To a very large extent the flock owner can control the percentage of thin-shelled eggs laid by his flock and this article outlines how this control can be exercised.

Seasonal Reminders

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

Poultry Notes

The March-April period affords the poultry farmer an opportunity to prepare the A ground for sowing greenfeed crops such as oats, barley, rape and lucerne. Brooder houses and rearing quarters should be cleaned out, floors disinfected with a 2% solution of caustic soda (1 lb. caustic soda to five gallons water), and all woodwork and lappings in the house sprayed with creosote. This gives the creosote a chance to soak into the woodwork long before the chickens are received.

Trees Of Western Australia— Lemon-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

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

The Lemon-flowered Gum is one of the lesser-known trees of the Eastern Goldfields. Originally discovered by Richard Helms, botanist to the Elder Exploration Expedition, 60 miles to the south of Victoria Spring, in 1892, it was not rediscovered until specimens were collected by Henry Dean, consulting engineer for the Trans-Australian Railway, near Zanthus in 1909. In that year it received from Maiden, Government Botanist of New South Wales, the name which commemorates Bernard H. Woodward, then Director of the Museum and Art Gallery in Perth.

Trees Of Western Australia— White Mallee, C A. Gardner

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

This species is usually found in mallee form, growing from 10 to 18 feet tall, but may at times possess a single stem, and is thus a small tree. Both mallee and tree forms have characteristically a broad 'base or stock, so that frequently in the mallee forms the individual stems arise well above the soil level from a large domelike base. As a tree the stem may be as much as 18 inches in diameter. The species is characterised in the field by its white or pink bark which is covered throughout externally with a white smooth talc-like powder. …

The Glorious Gladiolus, F Jackson

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

Possessing a wide colour range and striking beauty of form, the gladiolus is one of our most popular and spectacular annuals. When grown in large numbers, the mass formations of varied hues make beds of gladioli a sight to be remembered, but the flower is probably displayed at its best when used as a home decoration.

Pigs And Poison Plants

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

Farmers have frequently asked Departmental officers whether pigs could be grazed with safety in paddocks carrying growths of toxic plants such as York Road Poison (Gastrolobium calycinum) or Box Poison (Oxylobium parviflorum).

[Contributed by the Veterinary Branch - Department of Agriculture]

Here's The Answer

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

TICK FEVER

" I am experiencing trouble with young pullets losing the use of their legs, with accompanying form of diarrhoea. Most of the affected birds have dark coloured combs and die within two days of showing the first symptoms of being diseased. I have searched for tick but am unable to locate any trace of them. Can you assist me in this matter?"

Pullorum-Tested Flocks

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

The following Is a list of poultry flocks which have been regularly tested under the Voluntary Pullorum Disease Control Scheme conducted by the Department of Agriculture, and which have compiled with the requirements set out therein.

The breeds of poultry are indicated as follows:—A—Australorp; WL—White Leghorn; RIR—Rhode Island Red; XB—First Cross; BL—Brown Leghorn.

Black Spot Or Early Blight Of Tomatoes, R F. Doepel

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

Black spot disease is one of the most important limiting factors to tomato production in the Geraldton district of this State. All above ground parts of tomato plants are affected and, under weather conditions favourable to the disease, serious defoliation and reduction of fruit yields are experienced.

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria For The Inoculation Of Leguminous Seeds

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

The Plant Pathology Branch of the Department of Agriculture can supply the cultures listed below. Owing to the time taken to prepare the cultures, however, and owing also to the fact that in the busy time of the year there is frequently a tremendous accumulation of orders, farmers are requested to lodge their applications together with the requisite payment at least a fortnight before they wish the culture to be forwarded.

Suppurative Otisis In Pigs, C R. Toop

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

Suppurative otitis, an inflammatory condition involving the deeper structures of the ear, is commonly met with in young pigs. Affected animals show characteristic symptoms the most prominent of which is the abnormal carriage of the head which is constantly held on one side and this may be accompanied by difficulty in maintaining balance and direction.

An Open Letter To Dairyfarmers, H P. Schapper

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

As dairyfarmers, you are part of one of Australia's major industries—an industry which, according to the 1947 Census employed 106,526 persons in dairyfarming alone. As dairyfarmers, you contributed to the 1,200 millions of gallons of milk produced last year which incidentally was worth something like £80,000,000 net at the farm gate. Viewed from the nutritional standpoint, you are even more important. You contributed to the supplies of butter, milk and milk products which on a per head per day basis were the source of 21% of the total calories, 16.4% total protein, 44.6% total fat, 76.5% total calcium, 49.5% vitamin …

Trees Of Western Australia— Coral-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

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

Among the more decorative small trees available for planting in the Eastern Agricultural Areas, there are few more suitable that Eucalyptus torquata. This tree, known also as the "Christmas Tree" of the Coolgardie and Dundas districts usually blooms during December, and its handsome drooping coral-pink blossoms make it a conspicuous object in the woodlands at that season of the year. It was first discovered by L. C. Webster near Coolgardie in 1901, on a stretch of stony dioritic country 25 miles in length and about a quarter of a mile in breadth. It is found at least as far south …

St. John's Wort - Beetle Parasites Imported

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

Some hundreds of thousands of Chrysomelid beetles, which attack St. John's Wort, were recently forwarded to this State by air freight from the C.S.I.R.O. Division of Entomology, Canberra, and have been liberated at Greenbushes and Forestgrove.

Beekeepers' Field Day

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

About 80 beekeepers, attended the first apicultural field day organised by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Beekeepers' Section of the Farmers' Union of Western Australia. The field day was held at the Government Apiary, Yanchep, on December 13, and hot, sunny weather made it a successful and interesting innovation.

Fertilisers, H G. Cariss

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

The Fertilisers Act, 1928, requires that all fertilisers sold in this State be registered annually with the Department of Agriculture. A list of fertilisers registered for the year commencing 1st November, 1952, showing the registered brand and name and registered analysis, together with the person or firm by whom the fertiliser is registered and the price of the fertiliser at the time of registration appears in this issue.

Caked Superphosphate

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

Farmers who have experienced difficulties in handling superphosphate which has caked hard during storage may be interested in this method of reconditioning employed by Mr. J. Trott, of Corrigin, and described hereunder.

Scald In Granny Smith Apples, F Melville, S E. Hardisty

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

The Granny Smith has been the most widely grown variety of apple in Western Australia for many years. In 1946 a survey showed that more than one-third of the apple trees growing in this State were Granny Smiths and new plantings and reworkings since then have been predominately of this variety. Production in 1947, a very heavy crop year, exceeded a million bushels, which represented about 40 per cent, of the total apple crop for that year. This decided preference shown by growers for the Granny Smith emanates from its suitability to West Australian conditions and the strong demand for …