Life Sciences Commons^™

Plant Diseases - Lettuce Mosaic, H L. Harvey

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

Preliminary surveys of metropolitan market gardens during July and August showed that the virus disease known as lettuce mosaic was present in amounts varying from one to 90 per cent. If not checked it is likely to become one of the most serious diseases of local winter lettuce crops.

Water Erosion Control - 4 - Selecting, Making, And Safe-Guarding Waterways, J E. Watson

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

Run-off water must be expected at some time or other from most agricultural land in Western Australia, where high intensity rains are likely to occur both in winter and summer. This run-off water will tend to concentrate in the natural drainage depressions of the slopes, and flow down to the main creeks. Running water is a principal agent of soil erosion, and it is essential that all channels where water flows must be protected if our lands are to be saved from the ravages of severe gully erosion.

Evicting Bees From Houses, A Kessell

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

Every year, the Apicultural Branch receives a number of inquiries from harassed householders concerning methods of evicting bee colonies which have taken up their abode in houses. Cavity walls often provide cosy quarters for swarms seeking accommodation, while others establish themselves in chimneys, ventilators and under floors.

[One of an ongoing series of articles, collectively titled: Bees and Honey]

Alsatian Dogs

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

Because of their size, intelligence and potential ferocity, if they become sheep-killers, Alsatian dogs may not be kept in Western Australia unless they have been effectively sterilised.

Grain Silos For Muresk

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

On September 7, two grain silos, each with a capacity of 2,000 bushels were formally handed over to Muresk Agricultural College by representatives of the Trustees of the Wheat Pool of Western Australia.

Farm Fencing Hints - Straining The Wires, J A. Mallett

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

Having erected the posts and run the wires, the next task is that of straining the wires and—where barbed wires are used—tying them to the posts. Where wires have to be joined in the fence, the "figure eight knot," or "fencer's knot" as it is often called, is probably the best of all. It is easy to make, once one has mastered the knack, holds safely under strain, and may be pulled through a hole in a fence-post if the points are bent over.

Here's The Answer

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

Having read with interest the articles on roses which have appeared in the Journal I am inquiring if you can supply some advice on the rooting of Fortuniana cuttings. I have grown two Fortuniana bushes with the idea of striking some cuttings for stocks. I already have some nice roses but all are growing on briar stocks which were obtained by taking up some of the suckers. This query was received in a letter addressed to the author of the rose articles (Mr. C. C. Hillary) but unfortunately you omitted to sign the letter. Fortuniana cuttings are best taken

Insect Pests - Aphides, C F.H Jenkins

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

The members of the aphis family are remarkable creatures both in structure and habits. They are practically world-wide in their distribution and despite their small size and apparent fragility they thrive under a wide variety of conditions and are among the most prolific breeders in the animal kingdom.

Tree Lucerne, L C. Snook

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

Perhaps the greatest need in our agricultural areas is for a hardy legume which year after year will provide palatable green fodder during the late summer months. In the white-flowered Tree Lucerne (Cystisus prolifer) such a legume is available. Surprisingly enough, this hardy perennial shrub has never been exploited. Tree Lucerne is so hardy that self-seeded thickets can be seen growing on virgin land in the Darling Ranges and I have seen seedlings in the streets of Corrigin healthy and robust after six months without rain. The foliage is so palatable that cattle and horses will break down quite large …

New Flax Variety

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

The Minister for Agriculture (Sir Charles Latham) announced recently that a new flax variety developed in this State has been accepted for registration and released for commercial cultivation.

Thinning Of Deciduous Fruits, F Melville, T F. Herlihy

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

In the absence of any artificial control of the crop, most varieties of fruit trees will set much more fruit than it is possible for the trees to bring to marketable size and this is particularly the case with stone fruits. Even under good cultural and weather conditions the trees are often unable to bring the fruit to satisfactory size unless thinning is practised.

Better Dairying Competition 1951-1952, H G. Elliott

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

The success of the Better Dairying Competitions in previous years prompted the Western Australian Pasture Improvement Committee of the Australian Dairy Produce Board to again sponsor a similar competition during 1951-1952. The committee which receives funds from the Australian Dairy Produce Board and the Rural Credits Branch of the Commonwealth Bank, offered substantial cash prizes in the six zones as detailed below.

Teaching Chickens To Perch, R H. Morris

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

The important managerial practices in the successful raising of healthy birds. Each year, many good chickens have their growth seriously retarded and in some cases are even trampled to death, by being permitted to remain on the floor until they are 10 or 12 weeks of age. Through faulty husbandry, some chickens, especially heavy breeds, never learn to perch and, as laying hens, camp on the ground in preference to perching

Muresk Agricultural College - Memorial To Foundation Principal

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

The Hughes memorial gateway at Muresk.

A large gathering of past and present students and members of the staff attended a ceremony at Muresk Agricultural College on Visitors' Day, September 7, when a handsome gateway erected to the memory of Mr. Hugh Jason Hughes the first Principal of the College was officially opened by his widow.

Mastitis, J Craig

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

Mastitis, or inflammation of the udder, is responsible for tremendous losses to the dairying industry throughout the world. The disease may be caused by several different types of bacteria, the most common of which, the Streptococcus, is responsible for about 80% of all cases of mastitis. The Staphylococcus is involved in about 10% of cases and the remaining 10% are caused by other micro-organisms.

Trees Of Western Australia - Gimlets And Pear Fruited Mallee, C A. Gardner

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

Next to the salmon gum, the gimlet tree is perhaps the best-known of the trees of the Eastern Agricultural Districts and the Eastern Goldfields. A thin reddish brown bark, and a fluted or spirally-twisted trunk (especially in the young trees), distinguish at a- glance the gimlet trees or fluted gums from all other Eucalyptus trees. This bark has a thin outer layer which when removed reveals a sappy pale green, inner bark, and sometimes this inner green bark is exposed when the trees shed their reddish-brown outer bark towards the end of summer.

The Wedge-Leaved Rattlepod, C A. Gardner

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

During the last two years, work has been in progress near Fitzroy Crossing (West Kimberley) upon an investigation to determine the cause of Kimber- Iey Horse Disease, commonly known as "Walkabout Disease." The investigations are still in progress, and the findings when completed, will be published elsewhere, but the discovery that Crotalaria retusa L. is a cause—and probably the major cause —of this disease is of considerable importance. Because of this it is considered advisable to assist pastoralists to recognise the plant and by providing information on its habit, occurrence and distribution, to enable them to take steps to minimise …

Raising Japanese Plum Trees From Cuttings

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

Occasionally prunings from Japanese plums used as stakes for peas, root readily and in a number of instances have made good trees. This applies particularly to such varieties as Santa Rosa and Satsuma. Interesting evidence of the performance of another variety has recently come from a Bedfordale grower, Mr. J. E. Dowell. Last year, after pruning a new Japanese variety called Purple King, he planted 18 cuttings, each about nine inches in length, in moist black loamy soil.

Seasonal Reminders For November-December

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

The main cultivation of orchards and vineyards should now be completed and any further working of the soil should be restricted to the control of weed growth. Continuous cultivation of clean ground serves no useful purpose but can be very harmful by accelerating the loss of organic matter from the soil.

The Prevention Of Sucker Growth Of Tobacco After Topping, T G. Haney

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

Experiments conducted overseas and elsewhere in Australia have shown that the application of mineral oils to the cut surface of the tobacco stem after topping (removal of the flower head) have reduced the amount of sucker growth of tobacco plants. Previous experience in Western Australia has shown that the most appropriate time for topping of tobacco crops has been after the first leaf has been harvested. This operation has the effect of putting more body and width into the tip leaves, which, without topping, tend to be narrow and comparatively light in weight. With late planted crops, however, crops are …

Bacterial Cultures - Price Increases Announces

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

Prices of bacterial cultures prepared by the Department of Agriculture for the inoculation of legume seeds have now been increased. The new prices are 2s. for a 1 oz. bottle; 3s. for a 2 oz. bottle and 7s. 6d. for the 8 oz. size. Old prices were Is. 6d., 2s. 6d., and 5s. respectively. Owing to the heavy demand for these cultures it has been found necessary to employ larger laboratory staffs and purchase extra equipment. Postage and materials cost far more today than when the service was inaugurated, and it is felt that a price increase was justified in …

Poison Sedge And Cyanogenesis, R D. Royce

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

During the afternoon of April 14 of this year, a flock of 800 sheep on a property in the Carnamah district was turned into an old stubble paddock which had been spelled for two months, after having carried the same sheep for the previous paddock, death having apparently occurred suddenly and without any struggling.

The rapidity and severity of the losses, together with the lack of observed symptoms, suggested that the trouble had been due to a cyanogenetic plant (a plant capable of killing stock by the liberation of prussic acid after ingestion.)

Shearing Time - Some Time And Money-Saving Hints, M Butler

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

Shearing time on the farm with its attendant worries will soon be coming: around. Now is the time to see that everything is in readiness so that there shall be no hold-ups during the shearing. Any stoppages during shearing are costly to the farmer, and represent a waste of valuable time for the shearers. In order to ensure smooth shearing it is the farmer's responsibility to see that nothing over which he has control is left undone, particularly in regard to his machinery and shed equipment.

Foreword, A L. Mckenzie Clark

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

The soil is a nation's heritage —a rich legacy from past generations of pioneers who laboured and endured hardships in order that the land should produce for the nourishment and clothing of mankind. We

Hormone Weedicide Injury To Grape Vines, W P. Cass Smith

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

During the present season, serious injury to grape vines from 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, proprietary weedicides, has been noticed on two occasions. In each case the damage, which included killing of vines outright, was brought about by spraying weeds between the rows or on headlands.

Raising Queen Bees, R S. Coleman

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

Most beekeepers are constantly seeking new and better methods of raising good queen bees and these suggestions, while capable of many refinements, will give good results for small-scale beekeepers when they wish to re-queen their hives. Most commercial apiarists have their own favourite methods incorporating variations of these ideas.

[One of an ongoing series of articles, collectively titled: Bees and Honey]

Hints On Chicken Rearing, R H. Morris

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

The ultimate profit to be made from poultry farming depends largely on how successfully each year's chickens are reared. A bird can be made or marred during its growing life and many aspects must be considered in rearing chickens successfully, some of the more important of which I will treat very briefly today.

Water Erosion Control - 3 - Designing Contour Bank Systems, J P. Fallon

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

Contour Bank is the name applied to a ridge or bank of earth built across sloping ground between points of equal or nearly equal heights. The basic function of a contour bank is "interception of run-off water is then either absorbed or conducted slowly from the land, depending on the condition of the soil conservation work contour banks are not a substitute for, but supplementary to, suitable plant cover and careful land management.

Peach Leaf Curl, W P. Cass Smith

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

Peach leaf curl caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans is a very common disease in this State during the spring and early summer. In addition to attacking both edible and flowering peaches, the fungus also attacks nectarines, almonds and apricots. When preventive measures are neglected the disease may be anticipated yearly commencing in spring.

The Farm Bookshelf

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

C. A. Gardner, Government Botanist of Western Australia, is the author of a recently-published 400-page work on the native and introduced grasses of this State. The book is the first part of a projected "Flora of Western Australia" which is expected to comprise at least six volumes.