Life Sciences Commons^™

Hold On To Your Egg Profits, J A. Hoy

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

IN recent years, much sound advice has been made available to poultry farmers to assist them in developing their properties and operating them on profitable lines.

Much of this advice has been utilised to good advantage, but there are still many properties on which the profits are being reduced by feed wastage, damage by rats and mice, lack of sufficient attention to egg quality, unnecessarily high labour costs and failure to keep farm records.

Famous Sheep Breeds : The Merino, J A. Mallett

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

THE Merino breed has often been described as "the Royal Family of the Sheep World" and this title was never more applicable than in the case of the presentday Australian Merino—a sheep which, in addition to producing the world's most valuable wool is so staunchly-constitutioned that it will thrive under a wide range of conditions and has survived droughts in which the hardy native animals perished in thousands.

Lupinosis, H W. Bennetts

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

LUPINOSIS is a disease which has caused severe mortalities in West Australian sheep flocks in recent years, and one which—because of the important role which lupins are playing in light land development—must inevitably continue to be a matter of serious concern.

Vermin Control In W.A, A R. Tomlinson

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

THE annual report of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. for 1958-1959 indicated that while vermin control had continued at a relatively high standard throughout the State, most of the animal and bird pests were at the lowest level within the memory of most people.

However, there were ample warnings that any relaxation in control work could have rapid and serious consequences.

Commercial Vegetable Growing In The Perth Metropolitan Region, L T. Jones

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

MARKET gardening with sprinkler irrigation on deep sandy soils around Perth is really a commercial application of hydroponics or sand culture principles.

Provision of a continuous and adequate supply of nitrogen is the major problem. Peat swamps scattered among the sandy areas have higher natural fertility. However, their common problems are drainage, acidity ("sourness"), salt and various special soil deficiencies. Over-liming of acid swamps can cause new problems.

Pulpy Kidney Is Still A Sheep Killer, F C. Wilkinson

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

ALTHOUGH considerable publicity has been given to methods of control by vaccination, numbers of sheep are lost every year in outbreaks of infectious enterotoxaemia— the disease commonly known as "pulpy kidney."

Cattle Lice : Spray Now For Prevention, F C. Wilkinson

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

ALTHOUGH lice infestation can occur in any season of the year, the heaviest infestations are found during the winter.

This build up of lice infestation normally starts in the autumn but if the cattle are treated by spraying at this period, the majority of the lice are killed and the build up is prevented.

Thus the old saying "Prevention is better than cure" certainly applies with regard to cattle lice.

Honey Flora Calendar For June, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available in June

Control Of The Red-Legged Earth Mite And Lucerne Flea : Treatment Of Seed With Systemic Insecticides, M M H Wallace

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

THE red-legged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tuck.), and the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (L.), are at present controlled effectively, cheaply and safely by a combined DDT/malathion spray (Jenkins, 1956, 1957) and this continues to be the general recommendation for farmers.

However, this combination has some disadvantages. The DDT in the spray ensures some residual control of the earth mite but has the unfortunate property of toxicity to the bdellid mites which are useful predators of the lucerne flea.

The malathion in the spray assists the DDT to control the earth mite and provides a good, quick kill of the lucerne …

What's Wrong With That Plant?, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EACH year several thousand inquiries are received from people who want to know "What's wrong with that plant?" The plants range from common fruit, vegeable and pasture plants to rare ornamentals.

In most cases, the inquiries can be answered satisfactorily by Departmental officers who specialise in the study of various plant troubles.

Some Factors Affecting The Baking Quality In Wheat, A R. Egan

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

ALTHOUGH between 10 per cent, and 15 per cent, of wheat consumed in Australia is used in feed for domestic animals, the primary usage in home consumption is for bread-making.

Exports, which account for roughly 75 per cent, of the normal Australian crop, are also mainly used in bread-making.

The Use Of Seed Inoculum For Subterranean Clover In The Jerramungup, Gairdner River Areas, William John Toms

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

IT is unlikely that benefits will be obtained from inoculating Dwalganup or Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover seed sown in the Jerramungup or Gairdner River districts other than on the fine sands of different geological origin (Miocene) occurring in some southern areas of the Gairdner River District.

Sclerotinia Rot Of Beans, S C. Chambers, M. Hardie

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

INVESTIGATIONS over the past three years suggest trenching is the most important practice for controlling Sclerotinia rot in market gardens.

None of the remaining measures under test gave satisfactory control of the disease, although some reduced its incidence significantly.

Bulk Handling Of Superphosphate, H G. Cariss

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

A MAJOR factor in our agricultural production is the outlay for fertilisers, including the cost of their application to the land.

Any means which can be employed to reduce these costs are therefore of extreme importance to the State's agriculture.

The bulk-handling of fertilisers could be one way of reducing these costs to the farmer.

Lamb For Good Living, H M. Gloster

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

LAMB is at its best in the spring. With careful planning the housewife is able to serve it in a large variety of ways.

The favourite meal is Roast Lamb, or to be more correct baked lamb. Usually the forequarter or leg is baked. For a small roast, a piece of loin or part of the leg may be cooked.

Milk Fever (Hypocalcaemia) Of Cows, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE condition known as milk fever is almost essentially a disease of highly productive adult milking cows at the time of calving.

It is characterised by a low blood calcium level causing a sudden general depression of consciousness of the cow and muscular paralysis.

Without treatment most cases result in the death of the cow.

Bitter Pit : A Progress Report On The Use Of Calcium Nitrate Sprays For Its Control, Frank Melville, S. E. Hardisty

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

FREEDOM from serious pests and diseases such as Black Spot and Codling Moth and relative immunity from storage rots has greatly simplified apple growing in Western Australia.

However, what has been gained in this respect is often countered by pre-harvest and post-harvest physiological troubles which are rather common to apple growing in this State.

Bacterial Wilt Of Potatoes, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EACH season, Bacterial Wilt causes heavy losses to individual growers in several of the potato districts throughout the South-West of the State.

The disease is incited by the bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F.Sm. and is most prevalent in the districts of Donnvbrook. Pemberton and Manjimup as well as in the area between Waroona and Dardanup.

It is a tuber-borne disease which is extremely difficult to eradicate, once it has been introduced on to a property.

The Fruit Industry In Other Lands. 3. The United States Of America, Frank Melville

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

MY visit to the United States extended over a period of ten weeks and in this time fruit areas in New York State, Washington State and California were seen.

In addition, certain other activities were covered in other centres. Contact with Research and Extension personnel was made.

How Efficient Is Your Drenching Gun? Does It Deliver Sufficient Drench To Kill The Worms?, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE drenching gun pictured certainly doesn't. It is set to give two fluid ounces of drench (60 ccs approximately). However, when tested by squirting the fluid into a measuring cylinder, instead of down the sheep's gullet, it delivered only 30 ccs.

Animal Division Moves To South Perth, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE Animal Division of the Department of Agriculture — which includes the Veterinary Branch, the Animal Health and Nutrition Laboratories and the Poultry Branch—was transferred to new premises at Jarrah Road, South Perth, early in July.

Autumn Lambing Means Autumn Feeding, C J. Spencer

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

MANY Merino flocks in the agricultural areas Iamb down in the autumn months.

This means that the lambs are being developed and reared when paddock feed is at its worst, and this in turn means that a well-planned supplementary feeding programme is essential.

Famous Sheep Breeds. 4. The Border Leicester, J A. Mallett

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

ALTHOUGH the Society of Border Leicester Sheep Breeders was formed only 62 years ago and the first volume of the Border Leicester Flock Book appeared in 1899, surprisingly little authentic information is available concerning the origin of the breed.

Renovate Last Season's Shoes : Sukiyaki : Oya Ko Domburi : Chawan Mushi : Hamburgers : A Book Carrier, H M. Gloster

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

HAVE you a pair of worn leather shoes, perhaps a pair of gold or silver kid evening shoes that are "rubbed" on the surface?

Here is good news for you! Your shoes may be renovated and made to look like a brand new pair by the application of a coat of "Leather Lacquer" which is now available in a wide range of colours including gold and silver.

The Geraldton Strain Of Subterranean Clover, A J. Millington

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

THE cereal-growing areas of Western Australia form a narrow triangle extending about 700 miles from north to south, gradually increasing in width towards the south to about 150 miles.

Honey Flora Calendar For May, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available in May

Studies In The Mulga Pastoral Zone. 1. The Grazing Of Wandarrie Grass Associations, D G. Wilcox

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

THE establishment of the Wiluna office of the North-West Branch marked the commencement of a series of investigations into the pastures of the mulga zone.

Unlike the agricultural areas where a fund of knowledge exists on the growth habits of the pastures, the pastures of this area were completely unknown.

The preliminary investigations had to be aimed at forming an understanding of the reactions of the various plants to rain, to temperature and seasonal conditions and to grazing in an area of extremely low rainfall reliability.

Studies In The Mulga Pastoral Zone. 2. Some Aspects Of The Value Of The Mulga Scrub, D G. Wilcox

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

THE mulga pastoral zone is so named since most of its area is dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura).

The mulga is found associated with shrubs and grasses in almost all plant habitats. In its various forms it can associate with spinifex (Triodia basedowi), Wandarrie Grasses (Danthonia, Eragostis and Eriachne spp.) and with low shrubs on flood plains, hills and breakaways. It may even attempt to become established in salty communities, though this is never completely successful.

The scene the area offers from its low hills is one of a succession of low undulations, occasionally scarred by creeks or breakaways and …

Trees Of Western Australia. Eight Eucalyptus Trees From The Tropical North. 47. Long-Fruited Bloodwood (Eucalyptus Polycarpa, F. Muell.). 48. Mountain Bloodwood (E. Terminalis, F. Muell.). 49. Mount House Box (E. Argillacea, V.W. Fitzg. Ex Maiden). 50. Yellow Jacket (E. Lirata W.V. Fitzg. Ex Maiden). 51. Mountain White-Gum (E. Mooreana W.V. Fitzg. Ex Maiden). 52. (E. Oligantha Schau). 53. (E. Brachyandra, F. Muell.). 54. Variable-Barked Bloodwood (E. Dichromphloia, F. Muell.), Charles Austin Gardner

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

THIS tree which attains a height of 35 to 40 ft. is one of the common roughbarked trees of the open woodlands of the Kimberleys where the soil is sandy, and it is often associated with the woollybutt (E. miniata).

The Budding Of Fruit Trees, T F. Herlihy

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

A LTHOUGH the principles of budding and grafting are basically the same—that is, t h e success depends upon the close contact of the cambium layers of both stock and scion—the operations are performed at different times of the year.