Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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.

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.

Land Preparation For Border Irrigation, B Swan

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

LARGE amounts of water may be lost through excess run-off and deep percolation.

Proper preparation of irrigation land can help to minimise these losses.

This preparation is done by grading or levelling so that the original ground surface is shaped to allow for a more uniform distribution of water.

Hints On Irrigating Citrus With Saline Water, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

IN the past few years a number of citrus orchards near Perth have shown signs of damage caused by excess "salt" (chloride) uptake. All have been irrigated either from the Canning River or from private bores or dams.

Senior Soil Research Officer S. T. Smith describes glasshouse experiments which have given some useful guides to minimising "salt" damage in citrus trees irrigated with low-quality water.

Water For Agriculture. 5. Salt Poisoning In Livestock, J Craig

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

LIVESTOCK need a plentiful supply of good, fresh drinking water for normal health and high production.

Over large areas of Western Australia the water from bores, springs and wells contains varying but appreciable amounts of salt and special care may be needed to ensure that the stock water supply is satisfactory.

Water For Agriculture. 6. Control Of Algae In Water Supplies, R C. Gorman

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

ALGAE are primitive forms of plant life that are common and normal in surface waters. They are fonnd in every water supply exposed to sunlight.

Their presence is not normally detectable until there are enough of them to make their presence obvious.

The Quality Of Groundwaters In The Central Wheatbelt Of W.A, Eric Bettenay, F. J. Hingston

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

IN south-western Australia permanent rivers are virtually absent and the larger drainage systems such as the Swan-Avon, Murray and Blackwood, which have their headwaters in inland low rainfall areas, are generally saline.

A Practical Guide To Building Contour Banks With A Road Grader, J E. Watson

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

THOUSANDS of miles of contour banks have been built in Western Australia, and most of this earthmoving has been done by tractor and disc plough* or by road grader.

This article describes the technique recommended for bank construction with the road grader.

Farm Dams In The Wheatbelt, J E. Watson

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

MANY new farm dams are sunk each year in the wheatbelt and much money is spent on them.

With continued development of new land, and increasing stock carrying capacity of older land under legume pastures, the need for more water supplies will continue for a long time.