Life Sciences Commons^™

The Fruit Industry In Other Lands. 1. The United Kingdom, Frank Melville

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

THE following report deals with the many aspects of fruit growing both technical and commercial covered during a tour of three overseas countries undertaken on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and the fruitgrowers of Western Australia.

In the course of the three and a half months spent on this work, 13 research establishments were visited and contacts were made with research personnel both within these organisations and elsewhere.

Visits to commercial fruit growing areas were made with extension officers and these included brief visits to packing houses.

Altogether I had discussions with 127 research and extension personnel and industry …

Race Of Bees, R. S. Coleman

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

You have probably seen bees of various colours working the flowers in your garden. Some have yellow stripes others have orange stripes some have no stripes at all, and are a uniform grey or brown. These colours are the main differences between the main races of bees.

Insect Pest And Their Control - Potato Moth Control, J. A. Button, L. E. Koch

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

THE potato moth, Gnorimoschema operculella Zell., is almost world-wide in its distribution and can cause considerable damage to both potato crops and stored potatoes. The adult insect is a small inconspicuous, grey moth. The caterpillars cause the damage and they are, when fully grown, about half an inch long and pale greenish white in colour. They eat into the leaf and feed between the leaf surfaces and even work down the leaf stalks into the stems. Tubers may be damaged in the ground by caterpillars entering through cracks in the soil.

Granular Fertiliser, C R. Hale

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

There is general agreement that granulation of fertilisers improves their physical characteristics with respect to handling, storage and distribution in the field. These physical advantages rather tan any established agronomic reason appear to be responsible for the increasing use of granular fertiliser.

Agricultural Extension In New Zealand, F L. Shier

All other publications

"This report is the outcome of a tour of New Zealand during November and December, 1953 made possible through the recommendation of the Western Australian Director of Agriculture (Mr G.K. Baron Hay) and financed under the Commonwealth Extension Services Grant".

The Pruning Of Fruit Trees—Part 2. Framework Pruning Of Deciduous Trees, H R. Powell

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

The early prunings are very important for the reason that they determine the height of the trunk, and the number and spacing of the main and secondary arms and leaders. Mistakes made then are difficult to rectify later on.

Plant Disease - Black Spot (Anthracnose) Of Grapes, W P. Cass Smith, H L. Harvey, W R. Jamieson

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

Black spot or Anthracnose of grapes caused by the fungus Elsinoe ampelina is a widespread and serious disease. In commercial vineyards it is often responsible for considerable reduction in yield and quality of fruit, and in home gardens also it may prove very damaging. Under commercial conditions the disease has proved difficult to control in seasons favourable for its development despite the routine application of accepted fungicides. Fortunately, preliminary results of recent spray trials indicate that greatly improved control is likely to result in future from the use of a number of new fungicides.

Diseases Of Bees, R S. Coleman

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

All beekeepers dread the appearance of disease in their hives, for it means at the least a large drop in the honey crop and at the worst, complete destruction of whole apiaries and the beekeepers' means of livelihood. Quite apart from the economic loss, beekeepers are usually men who work with bees because they like them, and naturally they do not want to see whole colonies destroyed.

The Preperation Of Rose Beds, C C. Hillary

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

Roses equal to the world's best can be produced almost anywhere in the south-western part of Western Australia with little more attention than is bestowed on most other flowers. It is essential, however, that suitable soil conditions should be provided for the plants.

Bracken Fern Control, F E. Ryan

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

Bracken fern occurs over a large proportion of the civilised world and is recognised in all countries as a serious pasture pest. Its control is a matter of great concern. In Western Australia large areas have been invaded by bracken, and recommendations for its control have been made from time to time. Generally speaking, control measures are aimed at the removal of the frond cover and stimulating pasture growth beneath.

Swill-Feeding Of Pigs, J F. Robinson

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

The feeding of food refuse (commonly known as "swill") to pigs is governed by regulations 1 under the Stock Diseases Act and any owner of pigs employing this method of feeding must be in possession of a license issued by the Chief Inspector of Stock. To obtain such a license, he must have installed an approved type of heat treatment plant.

Insect Pest - The Black Beetle, C F.H Jenkins

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

The black beetle (Heteronychus sanctae-helenae Blanchard) is a native of South Africa which seems to have first gained a footing in Australia in about 1930, for it was then recorded as a pest of maize in New South Wales. (Gurney 1934). The first reports of the beetle in Western Australia came from Albany in 1938 when some damage to potatoes was experienced. Since that date the beetle has gradually spread and it is now common in the metropolitan area where it infests golf greens, tennis courts and similar turf areas. It is also gradually increasing in importance as a market …

The Ceylon Crow

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

Specimens of the Ceylon crow occasionally reach Western Australia, having apparently "stowed away" on ships from overseas. Several have been shot in the metropolitan area in recent years.

Rearing Calves On Ten Gallons Of Milk, L C. Snook

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

Only a limited number of calves are reared on dairy farms which sell whole milk. At current prices, it is only a very good calf which is worth more than the milk it would consume, and as a result, the heifer calves from thousands of productive cows are each year slaughtered at birth. In the past the whole milk supplier was able to obtain his herd replacements from farmers in the more distant dairying districts who, of necessity sold butterfat and could rear calves on separated milk.

Dingo Destruction 2—Some Hints On Shooting, A G. Moore

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

These articles have been written to assist professional and amateur doggers, as well as farmers, to destroy dingoes or wild dogs (the term "wild dogs" is generally used to include both dingoes and domestic dogs which are running wild). The information given has been gathered from extensive experience in most of the areas of the State to the south of the Transcontinental railway line.

Infectious Pneumonia Of Pigs, C R. Toop

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

Infectious pneumonia is by far the most common disease of pigs in Western Australia and 1 is a source of serious loss to the pig industry. It has a wide distribution, and evidence of its existence in one form or another may be found in a large proportion of piggeries throughout the State. It is largely confined to young pigs and is most frequently observed in weaners and slips. For the most part it occurs as a chronic disease with symptoms of coughing, unthnftiness and retarded growth, but it may occasionally assume an acute form accompanied by serious mortality.

List Of Certified And Approved Potato Seed Growers

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

The following list of certified and approved potato seed growers is submitted for the benefit of those growers who have not yet purchased seed for their early and mid-season plantings:

Schools For Farmers - Muresk Winter Courses Resumed

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

THE short instructional courses for farmers which were a popular feature of the Muresk Agricultural College in pre-war years will be recommenced during July next.

Two three-day courses have been arranged, one on sheep and wool extending from the evening of July 21, to the afternoon of July 24, and another dealing with pig husbandry lasting from the evening of July 28 to the afternoon of July 31. Farmers desiring to enroll in these courses should obtain an application form from the Principal of the Muresk Agricultural College, Muresk, W.A., or from the Department of Agriculture, St. George's Terrace, Perth.

Crop Spraying With Hormone-Like Weedkillers, G R. W Meadly

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

Although a considerable amount of investigational work on various weeds was carried out during last season it is intended to devote this article to experience gained from large scale undertakings as distinct from experiments. A very successful aerial spraying project was undertaken against water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) at Lake Monger and pasture weeds such as thistles and Cape tulip (Homeria spp.) were treated with hormone-like preparations in a number of districts, but by far the greatest activity with these chemicals was associated with the selective control of weeds such as wild turnip (Brassica Tournefortii), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and mustard …

Plant Disease - Early Blight Or Target Spot Of Potatoes, W P. Cass Smith, M Hardie, B N. Lowe

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

Early blight or target spot caused by the fungus Alternaria solani is a widespread disease of potatoes which in Western Australia is most prevalent in crops dug in autumn and early summer. The disease may attack both foliage and tubers, but the tuber rot phase of the disease has hitherto caused most concern to local growers because it causes obvious losses in storage. The less obvious but more serious effects of the foliage blight have generally been overlooked, chiefly because the disease usually develops late in the season when the crops are approaching maturity. However recent spray trials with new …

Layout Of A Dairy Premise, A E. Baker

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

As the average dairyman spends a large proportion of his working time in the milking shed throughout the year, careful attention to the layout of these premises will give good returns in time saved, and will enable the task of milking to be carried out efficiently and with a minimum of discomfort.

Trees Of Western Australia - The Grey Box, C A. Gardner

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

In the grey box the rough bark extends to the ultimate branches, unlike that of the coolabah where the smaller branches are usually smooth. The grey box is the common tree of the basalt areas to the north of the King Leopold Range, but unlike the coolabah it is not found along the streams but is more typical of the stony hills and undulating country. Its occurrence is so closely connected there with basalt and andesite, that this particular soil type can at once be mapped by reference to the grey box trees.

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

New Cereal Varieties In Australia, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

During 1952 four new wheat varieties and one new flax variety were submitted and accepted for registration. Particulars of the new varieties as supplied to the Registrar are as follows:—

Seasonal Reminders

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

Tobacco Growing

In experiments which have been conducted for nine years at the Research Station, it has been found that, on light sandy loam soil, a lupin cover crop produces tobacco of the best quality during the following season. This applies especially to new land and the apparent reason is that lupins, when ploughed into the soil, produce a good bulk of organic matter which creates a better texture in the soil and a better moisture holding capacity. New Zealand blue lupins are recommended and it is advisable to inoculate seed before sowing, especially on new land. Application of fertiliser …

Wheat Variety Trials On Research Stations, 1952, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

To test the suitability under local conditions of the newer wheat varieties, whether bred in this State or introduced from the Eastern States, variety trials are conducted each year on five wheatbelt research stations. The results of these trials indicate the varieties most suitable to the various areas of the wheatbelt and serve as a guide to the farmer in the choice of the most suitable varieties to grow.

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.)

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.

Efficiency In The Apiary, R S. Coleman

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

Efficiency is a word that most people associate with factories and city life, but it is just as important, if not more important, for the primary producer. Reduced to everyday English, efficiency means more goods produced with less labour and with lower capital investment for the unit of produce sold. Efficiency can be called planned business commonsense designed to save time and money.

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.