Life Sciences Commons^™

Dahlias - Lifting And Storing The Tubers, F Jackson

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

Now that the flowering season for dahlias has finished, arrangements must be made for lifting and storing the tubers. Many losses occur each year during the dormant period and most of these are due either to carelessness or lack of knowledge. While the storage provided for dahlias during the winter months may be thoroughly satisfactory, tubers are often lost because of the treatments received by the plants during the growing period.

Elephant Grass, H G. Elliott, L C. Snook

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

Elephant Grass, sometimes known as Napier's Fodder, is a hardy, palatable and nutritious plant which under good conditions will give heavy yields. When once established it will remain as a permanent stand so long as it receives good treatment. It grows well in many parts of Western Australia and up to date appears to be free from attack by pests and diseases.

* (Revised from Leaflet No. 600, by H. G. Elliott)

Tobacco Field Day, J A. Mallett

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

Undaunted by grey clouds and misty rain, about 75 people interested in tobacco culture attended a field day at the Tobacco Research Station, Manjimup, on February 15. Fortunately the threatened downpour failed to materialise and the visitors were able to enjoy to the fullest extent an interesting and highly instructive series of demonstrations and lecturettes.

*Secondary title: Successful event at Manjimup

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: Isotropis, C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

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

The genus Isotropis is restricted to Australia. Of the total of nine species six are recorded in Western Australia, two of them being known as "Lamb poisons" while the remainder have no common names. Three are known to be toxic to stock, but concerning the remaining three we have no definite information.

* Poison Plants of Western Australia is an ongoing series of articles. "Toxic Plants of the Genus Isotropis" is the subtitle and primary focus of this article.

Trees Of Western Australia - Tuart And Illyarrie, C A. Gardner

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

Early settlers of the Swan River Colony soon learnt to value the timber of a tree which the aborigines called "Tooart." It ranked with that of the jarrah in local importance and, because of its toughness, was used for keelsons, stern posts, bridge supports, shafts and wheelright's work—in short for all purposes where great strength, solidity and durability were needed.

Drill Spacing And Rate Of Seeding, I Thomas, H G. Carris

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

During the war, when superphosphate was in exceptionally short supply,a wheatbelt farmer experimented with a method of sowing a crop in which he had blocked each alternate drill run and in effect halved the rates of seed and super used on each acre. He expressed himself satisfied with the results and has since continued to plant the major portion of his crop in this manner.

Gas Storage Of Apples, S E. Hardisty

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

As the storage life of many popular varieties of apples is limited in England by their susceptibility to low temperature breakdown, gas storage was developed as an alternative means of retarding the ripening of the fruit. Although the method does not decrease the susceptibility to low temperature breakdown it does permit longer storage at relatively high temperatures (40 F). It is used extensively in Great Britain and America and it also has general application for storage at 32° F.

As the store is sealed off and no fruit is removed until the end of the storage period, it is essential …

Shrubs For The Farm Home, C C. Hillary

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

Shrubs are of value in every garden and, when carefully chosen and properly planted in suitable positions, a collection can provide beauty and interest at all seasons of the year.

Chart For Packing Apples

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

A chart giving details of the correct method of packing apples is now available at the Department of Agriculture, Perth, or from District Officers. This chart embraces packs for apples of various shapes, such as round, flat, long and medium long types with brief explanatory remarks. It is printed in two forms; a wall-type chart for packing-shed use and a small pocket-size folder.

The Composition Of The Dwalganup Strain Of Subterranean Clover, A B. Beck

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

Subterranean clover is now the major pasture species in Western Australia and according to Elliott (1948) nearly 90 per cent, of the sown pastures of this State have a subterranean-clover base or were originally sown with this species. In spite of its great economic importance, no data have been published showing the chemical composition of the clover growing in this State. In order to fill this gap in our knowledge, series of samples of the Dwalganup strain were collected from three localities. These have been analysed by the Government Chemical Laboratories and the results are presented in this paper.

Brown Rot And Collar Rot Of Citrus, W P. Cass Smith

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

Plant disease

Brown rot is a serious disease of citrus, which fortunately has proved to be readily controllable. It attacks both leaves and fruits causing partial or complete defoliation, and a rather characteristic fruit rot. The disease may also affect the bark of citrus trees in the basal trunk region resulting in "collar rot," or as it is sometimes called, brown rot gummosis. This phase of the disease will be referred to later.

New Arrivals In The Rose World, C. C. Hillary

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

More new roses have been introduced since the war ended than in any similar period previously. In the past, however, new roses have not always meant better roses, and what is most pleasing about this latest batch of novelties is that quite a number show a distinct improvement over the older sorts. More especially is this improvement apparent in the newer hybrid polyantha roses which are now available in a range of colours undreamt of only a few years ago.

Orchard Notes - March-April

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

Cover crops should be planted with the first winter rains to ensure satisfactory growth before the cold wet weather sets in. New Zealand Blue Lupins are the favourite crop, particularly amongst citrus orchardists. The lupin is a vigorous plant and produces excellent bulk. Tick beans may be used as an alternative crop and are useful in shaded positions. They are extensively used in commercial vineyards. Field peas may also be planted but the bulk of green material produced is much less than from lupins or tick beans.

Poison Plants - Pituri, C. A. Gardner, H. W. Bennetts

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

Only a few of the drug-yielding plants found on their hunting grounds appear ^* to have been known to the Australian aborigines. Among those used and valued was the plant called "pituri" by the Central Australian tribes. The leaves of this plant, after drying and suitable preparation, were chewed as a narcotic.

Diphenyl Wraps For Oranges, F. Melville

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

Diphenyl impregnated wraps have been successfully used on a commercial basis overseas for improving the keeping quality of oranges. Last year Mr. E. G. Hall, of the C.S.I.R.O. Laboratories, Homebush, kindly made available a quantity of diphenyl wraps of American origin and some of these were used in a small storage experiment with Washington Navel oranges.

Apples, Pears,And Stone Fruit, H. R. Powell

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

Disappointing settings of pome fruits have been a feature of this season's crop reports. Hail caused heavy losses in restricted areas and a lot of fruit was blemished by looper caterpillars. The setting of stone fruits was particularly good.

Trees Of W.A. Jarrah And Karri, C. A. Gardner

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

In commencing this series, in which a large number of trees will be dealt with, first place must be given to the species of Eucalyptus which include, besides the gum-trees, the various shrubs and mallees which make up a considerable part of the woody flora of South-Western Australia.