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Here's The Answer

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

Tobacco growing. What are the main conditions suitable for growing tobacco in Western Australia? All the tobacco produced in Western Australia at the present time is grown in the lower South-West of the State, in areas around Manjimup, Northcliffe and Karridale.

Cattle-Working Yards, Grant A. Smith

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

The diagram accompanying this article shows a set of yards with an overall size of 50 yds. x 40 yds. through which about 300 cattle may be worked with a minimum of effort. It will be noted that corners have been eliminated wherever possible, and cattle may be worked right round the outer fences with all gates closing behind them as block gates irrespective of whether they are worked in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

Control Of Swarming, R S. Coleman

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

It has often been said that the secret of getting a high yield of honey is to have a large field force of young bees in every hive at the beginning of the nectar flow. The colonies should not have to build up numerical strength when they should be collecting nectar. It is just as important for the apiarist to have a large proportion of field bees compared with hive bees as it is to have well-bred queens, efficient equipment and all the other factors which make for success in beekeeping.

Strainer Posts And Fence Patterns, J A. Mallett

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

Good fences have long been regarded as the sign-manual of the good farmer. A VF taut, well-constructed and well-maintained fence does more than merely add to the appearance—and cash value—of a farming property; it makes a priceless contribution towards the owner's peace of mind. He knows that his stock will "stay put" instead of disporting themselves in his own or his neighbours' crops—and the fence which keeps his own animals in will keep straying stock out, and so save both time and temper.

Plant Your Roses Carefully, C C. Hillary

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

While the planting of roses is a comparatively simple business, there are certain rules which must be followed if losses are to be avoided. Most of the roses sold by nurserymen in this State are raised on what is known as Fortuniana stock. The origin of this stock is somewhat obscure, but it is thought to be the result of a cross between Rosa banksia and Rosa laevigata. Whatever its origin, however, it is certainly a very vigorous stock and one which thrives better in the soils and climate of this State than any other. A further advantage is its …

New Cereal Varieties In Australia, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

In 1927 a conference of the State Ministers of Agriculture resolved that to avoid X duplication, the names of new cereal varieties be circulated among the States and subsequently confirmed at a meeting of Ministers. Particulars of new varieties as submitted to the Registrar are as follows—

Seasonal Reminders For July-August

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

Recently, mortalities from tetanus involving the loss of a large number of sheep have occurred as a sequel to the inoculation of flocks with entero-toxaemia vaccine and other biological products.

Planning Boosts Poultry Profits, K D. Giles

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

Amazing as it may seem, the time and labour expended in the ordinary everyday chores on a poultry farm carrying 1,000 birds can be reduced five times by adopting modern efficiency methods. This will appeal to poultry farmers in this State who know that low labour costs are closely linked to high profits.

Departmental Leaflets And Bulletins

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

Departmental publications listed here under may be obtained free of charge (except where a price is indicated) on application to the Officer in Charge of Departmental Publications, Department of Agriculture, St. George's Terrace, Perth.

A Hospital Paddock

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

Wherever many head of stock are kept on a farm there are two things that will always pay very handsome dividends— a loose box and a small hospital paddock.

Oriental Fruit Moth, C F.H Jenkins

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

In recent weeks a new insect pest for Western Australia has been recorded. This -•- is the Oriental fruit moth, sometimes known as the Oriental peach moth and the peach tip moth, both names indicating that peaches are the most susceptible of a wide variety of host fruits.

Wheat Crop Competitions, I Thomas, H G. Cariss

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

For many years prior to the last war, 50-acre crop competitions were sponsored and conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society and judged by officers of the Department of Agriculture. These competitions always proved successful and without doubt contributed in no small way to the development of the cereal-growing areas, particularly as far as wheat farming is concerned. The conducting of these crop competitions lapsed during the war but, in 1946 a new series, sponsored by the W.A. Flour Millowners' Association, was inaugurated and conducted under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society with the field judging again being carried out …

Cape Tulip Control

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

Strong measures will be taken this season to control the spread of Cape Tulip in Western Australia.

Potato-Harvesting Machines

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

Less than 15% of Australian potato-growers own mechanical diggers stated the Director General of Agriculture (Mr. Frank W. Bulcock) in replying to inquiries addressed to him by the West Australian Minister for Agriculture (Sir Charles Latham).

[Article not present in contents page but present in index and in text]

Hydrocyanic Acid (Hcn) Poisoning

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

When newly developed country is to be stocked with sheep or cattle it is important to make sure that it is free of poison plants. A large proportion of the native poison plants belong to the genera Oxylobium and Gastrolobium, typical examples being Box and York Road poisons, but the cyanogenetic plants form an important group.

[Article not present in contents page but present in index and in text]

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.

Argentine Ants

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

Specimens of ants submitted in February by the Rockingham Health Inspector were identified as Argentine ants, these being the first recorded from this area. Two areas of infestation are present in the Rockingham townsite—one adjacent to the hotel and the other near the Fisher Street jetty. Active steps were taken by the local authorities to bring the infestation under control.

Cobalt, L C. Snook

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

Cobalt is one of the most interesting of the so-called "trace" elements. Particularly is this so to West Australians as the use of cobalt has permitted farmers to rear healthy sheep and cattle where previously this was impossible. Also, it was in this State that Filmer and Underwood carried out much of the fundamental work which led to the discovery of the vital importance of cobalt.

The Farm Bookshelf

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

Some reviews of current publications of rural interest.

[One in a series of ongoing article series, publication reviews]

A Reminder

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

Have you registered your orchard? One fruit tree or a single vine is an orchard for the Purposes of the Plant Diseases Act and must be registered accordingly. The registration fee for less than one acre of trees or vines is 1s. Apply Department of Agriculture, Perth.

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.

Muresk Agricultural College

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

The Muresk Agricultural College was founded in 1926 and is situated at Muresk, near Spencers Brook. The standard for admission is the Junior Certificate or its equivalent, and students with suitable advanced qualifications may be exempted from the first year classes of either of the following Diploma Courses:—

Fertiliser Registrations

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

The following Fertilisers have been registered at the Department of Agriculture under the Fertilisers Act 1928, for the year commencing 1st November, 1951.

Rifle Ammunition

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

The Minister for Agriculture (Sir Charles Latham) recently discussed the question of supplies of 0.303 and 0.310 ammunition with the Federal Minister for Supply as the Agriculture Protection Board is anxious that farmers should obtain adequate supplies of ammunition for the control of vermin.

The Webworm, C F.H Jenkins

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

The popular name webworm has been applied to a small caterpillar whose depredations in ploughed-in wheat crops have concerned farmers in this State for many years. The first record of the insect as a pest was made by Newman (1927) under the scientific name of Sclerobia tritialis Wlk. and it has been referred to as such in all subsequent Departmental publications. Recent investigations, how-ever, suggest that either more than one species of insects is covered by the term webworm or that the true webworm is a Crambid moth known as Talis pedionoma Mayr.

Seasonal Reminders

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

Veterinary Notes for May-June By officers of the veterinary branch.

Sheepmen who have not already done so should lose no time in immunising their flocks against infectious entero-toxaemia ("pulpy kidney"). This disease may occur anywhere in the agricultural areas and is often prevalent during the Hush season of the year.

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)

Novel Farm-Made Spray Outfit, L G. Hayward

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

When it became apparent that their power spray unit was unable to spray all the trees in their area in accordance with the pre-arranged baiting schedule, the committee of the Eastern Hills Fruit Fly Baiting Scheme called a meeting to discuss ways and means of augmenting the service. Following upon the discussion, three of the committeemen evolved the cheap and effective spray plant described below.

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 …

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.