Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Heavy Rains Show Need For Soil Conservation Practices, G H. Burvill

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

Autumn 1953 will stand out in the weather records for the widespread heavy rains in the pastoral areas and wheatbelt. The rains which came from the cyclonic storms of March 22-25, totalled five to 12 inches in many pastoral areas and two to seven inches in the Northern and Eastern Wheatbelt. The steady rain soaked the land, but where the falls were heaviest, runoff to lower parts caused flooding and local inconvenience. All in all, it was a very welcome rain, especially where the previous winter had been dry. In the wheatbelt, ploughing and cultivation were soon in full swing …

The Soil Our Basic Asset, J E. Watson

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

Contour furrows increase pasture growth

Good pastures on steep slopes will give profitable returns from grazing, and will also reduce erosion risks. Water needed for pasture growth on such slopes must not be allowed to run off and erode lower slopes. The use of contour furrows is a readily applied erosion control measure which can be very effective in increasing the amount of water held and absorbed on steep slopes.

Wind Erosion Control—I, D J. Fleay

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

Desserts have been formed in some parts of the world by the action of wind on once productive soils. This could happen to the light land areas of Western Australia if we do not profit by the lessons of the past and manage these soils with great care.