Life Sciences Commons^™

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.

"Swelled Head" In Rams, C R. Toop

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

During the summer and autumn months a disease of rams, popularly known as "swelled head" or "big-head" is encountered from time to time in Western Australian flocks. The condition is almost entirely confined to rams of the horned breeds and outbreaks which have come under notice in this State have occurred only among Merinos and Dorset Horns. Young rams and weaners are most frequently affected and the disease results from the infection of wounds about the forehead sustained by the animals when fighting.

Cereal Variety Trials. Results Of 1951 Trials At Research Stations, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

Each year cereal variety trials are conducted on the wheatbelt research stations with the object of determining the most suitable varieties which can be recommended for planting under Western Australian conditions. The location of the five wheatbelt research stations is such that the results obtained from trials on these stations present a reasonably overall picture for the wheatbelt and the farmer is able, by comparison with his own soil and climatic conditions, to translate the results for himself.

Here's The Answer

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

Fowl pox: Could you please advise me how to cure a disease which has affected many birds in my flock of pullets during the past two weeks? The birds were hatched in July last and commenced laying three months ago in December when they were 5 1/2 months of age. They reached a 60 per cent, lay three weeks ago and I thought I was set for a good season but now their production has dropped to a 30 per cent, level, presumably as a result of this disease. Several birds have died and many more are looking very sick …

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.

Bees In Box Hives, A Kessell

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

The keeping of bees in other than properly appointed hives with standard frames is illegal in Western Australia as such hives make it almost impossible to inspect the swarms in order to check for disease. Nevertheless, beekeepers occasionally encounter swarms which have established themselves or have been established in fruit cases or other types of boxes or containers.

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

Preparing Beeswax For Market, R S. Coleman

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

Beeswax is an extremely valuable commercial product in these days, and no apiarist can afford to neglect this important by-product of the honey industry. Apart from the large quantities needed within the industry for the manufacture of foundation comb, beeswax has a wide variety of industrial uses. It is an important component of polishes and is widely used as a waterproofing agent and in the insulating of delicate electrical equipment.

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

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.

Strain 19 In Western Australia

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

Since the inauguration of its brucellosis control campaign in 1946, the West Australian Department of Agriculture has inoculated nearly 72,000 dairy heifers with Strain 19 vaccine and established a remarkable degree of control throughout the dairying districts. As the success of the control measures is largely dependent upon the vaccination of each year's crop of heifers, the work is now being intensified and members of the field staff are again busy in the dairying areas.

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.

More Beef From The Kimberleys, Grant A. Smith

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

Beef production in the Kimberleys is an industry which has eked out a precarious existence for many years. Today it is offered an unprecedented opportunity for expansion on sound economic lines, and it is the purpose of this article to offer some suggestions as to how this may best be achieved.

[Part 1 of ongoing series of articles]

Grade Herd Recording: Increase In Fees

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

The Superintendent of Dairying (Mr. M. Cullity) has announced that from March 1, 1952, onward, dairy farmers whose herds are included in the Grade Herd Recording scheme will be asked to pay a fee of 5s. per cow, instead of 3s. 6d.

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

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.

More Windmill Shut-Offs, "Martingale" .

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

Since we printed the description of a type of automatic windmill shut-off used on Abydos Station, Port Hedland, in the issue of December, 1951, several readers of the "Journal" have written to describe alternative methods of pulling a mill "out of the wind" when the tank is filled. In a number of cases there were variations of the same idea, and in this article the main principles are described, together with some other ingenious gadgets which the author has encountered over the years.

Some Instructive Field Days, "Martingale" .

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

Although fully conversant with the old newspaperman's adage which states that "Yesterday's news is the bath-heater fuel of today," we make no apology for including these reports of field days held after our December issue had gone to press. It is felt that they contain some useful lessons which, even at this late date, are deserving of emphasis.

Aids To Better Shearing, W. L. Mcgarry, J. Reilly, M. Butler

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

The demonstrations and instructional work in shearing that have been carried out in the farming areas have revealed the universal difficulty among learner-shearers in "getting a cut." Experience has shown that this absence of good cutting in handpieces has been due in large measure to the general lack of knowledge regarding grinding and the correct adjustment or "setting up" of the combs and cutters on the handpiece. Poor cutting has also resulted from the common practice of using combs and cutters that do not match, together with faulty handpiece maintenance. These and other factors leading to such poor results will …

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.

Editorial - His Work Endures

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

In presenting the first issue of the "Journal of Agriculture" in its new form, it is with profound sorrow that we chronicle the passing of the Hon. Garnet Barrington Wood, M.L.C., Minister for Agriculture and the North-West, who died suddenly during a Cabinet meeting on January 2. The change of policy in the presentation of this Journal was keenly supported by the late Minister, and only a few hours before his death he had promised to write a foreword to the first issue, which was to have appeared on this page.

Insect Pests And Their Control, C. F. H. Jenkins

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

Methods of insect control are sometimes classified under the four following headings—Quarantine, Cultural Methods, Biological Control and Chemical Treatments. Each method has its own particular part to play in preventing the spread and multiplication of insect pests and it is essential for maximum results that everyone—whether he be a commercial grower or a backyard gardener—has a general understanding of the principles involved.

Jerseys And Guernseys For Government Studs

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

A Jersey bull and five attractive young pedigree heifers, together with an out-standing Guernsey bull were imported to this State recently from leading studs in the Channel Islands. The seven animals completed their quarantine period last month and have been taken to Wokalup and Denmark Research Stations.

Here's The Answer

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

Some readers' questions, with answers supplied by officers of appropriate branches of the Department of Agriculture

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Farm Bookshelf

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

Some Reviews of Current Publications of Rural Interest

North Of The Nullarbor Plain, A. R. Tomlinson, C. K. Blair

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

For a few hardy dingo-trappers—experienced bushmen able and willing to endure the rigours pf a nomadic existence in a waterless country - the area to the north of the Nullabor Plains has long been a favoured watering ground. In the 1949-1950 season bounties were paid on about 3,000 dingo scalps from this area.

Leaflet No 1003 - The Salt Problem In The Wheat Belt, G. H. Burvill

Bulletins 1 - 2999

IN the wheat belt of Western Australian bare patches in farm paddocks are often seen. Many are bare, or almost bare, because of too much salt in the soil. The excess of salt prevents the germination of seeds, or kills living plants, because it causes the water supply for germination or growth to be cut off. This salt problem is so serious in places that single farms or groups of farms have been ruined; wheat growing on them has become unprofitable.

Leaflet No 1001 - Aerial Baiting For The Control Of The Little Plague Grasshopper (Austroicetes Cruciata Sauss), C. F. Jenkins

Bulletins 1 - 2999

Aeroplanes have been tested for grasshopper control in many parts of the world during the last decade but the insecticides used have been in either dust or spray form.

The aerial distribution of bran bait is quite a recent development in overseas countries and was tried for the first time in Western Australia during the spring of 1949.