Life Sciences Commons^™

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals. 3. Crusting Of The Soil Surface, S C. Chambers

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

In some seasons extensive bare patches occur in cereal crops sown on the heavier wheat belt soils.

Experimental results from Beverley indicate that the poor emergence in some of these plantings may be due to crusting of the soil surface.

Working the surface with light harrows may destroy the crust and improve emergence.

Food For Thought In Rabbit Poisoning, J W. Leighton

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

SINCE the introduction of the "1080" Poisoning Unit Scheme in 1955 by the Agriculture Protection Board reasonable control of rabbit numbers has been obtained.

Besides this many important side effects have resulted.

Care Of Autumn And Winter Tomato Crops, W H. Kooyman

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

I N recent years there has been a considerable increase in plantings of autumn and winter tomatoes in the Perth metropolitan market garden area.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 2. Relative Susceptibility Of Wheat And Barley, S C. Chambers

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

ROOT ROTS of wheat and barley are caused by several fungi, the most important in Western Australia being Fusarium spp., Helminthosporium sativum and Ophiobolus graminis.

Local surveys have shown that the incidence of each organism varies with district and also depends on other factors, such as seasonal conditions and cultural practices.

The relative susceptibility of wheat and barley to these fungi has never been studied in detail under local conditions, although many such investigations have been conducted overseas.

Dairy Hygiene, J F. Brennen

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

A high standard of hygiene is essential in the production of milk and milk products for human consumption.

Dairy Instructor J. F. Brennen, M.D.A., outlines some of the steps needed in order to achieve this.

Honey Flora Calendar For August, R S. Coleman

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

A guide to flora available to honey bees during August in Western Australia

Insect Pest Of Forests. 1. Wood Boring Beetles, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

MANY different types of wood boring beetles are associated with timber and forest trees.

Some attack only dry seasoned wood, others prefer freshly felled logs, and others again choose the standing trees.

Fifth Random Sample Egg Laying Test : 1961-62, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE figures in the table below give the progressive laying report to May 27, 1962, after 22 weeks of production.

The entries are ranked in order of profit, but undue emphasis should not be placed on the results of this progress report, which refers only to one uncompleted test.

Research Report : Chemical Thinning Of Apples, J E L Cripps, N. J. Halse

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

MANY progressive fruit growers have adopted spray thinning of apples, and have found that it pays well.

More widespread adoption to reduce costs of production in the face of returns which show no tendency to rise, would benefit the apple industry.

For this reason improved recommendations have been formulated, based on local research.

Mineral Supplements, Laurence C. Snook

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

TJRODUCTIVE dairy cows have a high mineral requirement. A deficiency can cause lowered milk production and poor health may result if it is not corrected.

Soft Water For Dairy Cleaning, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

CLEAN utensils are essential for the production of high quality dairy products.

Cleanliness of dairy equipment depends a lot on how efficiently the detergent can do its job.

Water For Agriculture. 1. Water For Agricultural Purposes In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE total soluble salts content of a water is the most important characteristic in determining the suitability of Western Australian waters for stock, irrigation or general use.

Other quality characteristics are of secondary importance.

Management Of Laying Flock, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EGG production usually declines in birds which have been under lights during autumn and winter. Egg prices are lower and flocks should therefore be culled more severely.

Hard Seeds In Lupins, B J. Quinlivan

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

A study of hard seeds in the W.A. blue lupin is yielding some interesting facts about this important survival mechanism of pasture plants.

The knowledge gained will be useful in future pasture plant breeding projects.

SOME interesting facts on hard seeds in lupins have come from experiments commenced several years ago.

This article outlines the reasons for the experiments and the results with lupins so far.

Subsequent articles will cover subterranean clover and techniques for softening hard seeds in both species before planting.

Getting Ready For Summer, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE spring period is one of completion and preparation for poultry farmers.

Transplanting Summer Seedlings, W Dawson

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

IN almost any flower garden there are occasions for a certain amount of transplanting, even if it is only to readjust the spacing between plants which have come up irregularly from seed sown directly in the garden.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 5. The Evaluation Of Fungicidal Treatments, S C. Chambers

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

The use of fungicides, either as seed or soil dressings, for the control of root rotting diseases of wheat, was examined in a series of field experiments.

Results suggest that seed dressings have no effect on the incidence of root rotting fungi in the mature crop.

When fungicides were applied to the soil, a reduction in the incidence of take-all was noted in one experiment, but the same treatments had toxic effects on plants in a second similar experiment.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 1. History And Future Prospects, F L. Shier

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

BECAUSE of the scattered distribution of light lands of the agricultural areas of Western Australia among the better soils, and their large total area, it is not surprising that attempts to develop these unattractive soils for agriculture started many years ago.

Honey Flora Calendar For March, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available in March

Perennial Flowers From Seed For Colourful Summer Borders, W Dawson

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

IT is just as easy to grow perennial flowers from seed as it is annuals, in some ways it is actually easier.

Mulesing At Lamb Marking Time, M Butler

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

REALISING that mulesing and tailstripping of sheep is the most effective system devised to counteract the loss and damage caused by blowfly strike in their sheep, many farmers and pastoralists are now incorporating it as standard practice in their system of sheep husbandry.

Successful Commercial Beekeeping, R S. Coleman

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

THE eye of the master fattens the cattle. One of the oldest farming proverbs this is as true of bee-keeping as any other branch of farming.

Careful husbandry is the basis of all successful bee-keeping; anything else is secondary.

Cotton Fireweed : A Native Weed Menace, G R W Meadly

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

INTRODUCED plants have provided most of our weed problems. Cape tulip, double gee and soursob come from South Africa, Saffron thistle, Paterson's curse, wild turnip and wild radish from Europe, mesquite from the southern United States and Bathurst burr from South America.

The relatively few native plants which have become troublesome weeds include Afghan thistle and Sarsaparilla.

Local Control Of Crows By Trapping, C J. Woodbury

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

THE common crow seen frequently around farms in the South-West is the raven (Corvus coronoides) whilst the pest of pastoral areas is the true Australian crow (Corvus cecilae).

Farmers and pastoralists, although recognising the importance of these birds as scavengers and destroyers of insects, particularly grasshoppers, sometimes for one reason or another, wish to reduce their numbers over a localised area.

Baiting with phosphorus has been used in the past, but the purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate a type of trap which has become universally known as the "Australian Crow Trap."

Why Poor Prices For Pigs?, P C. Beck

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

A rapid increase in pig numbers and an unfavourable export situation have precipitated the present depression in the pig industry. Concentration on quality production and a gradual reduction in numbers should bring back a more stable situation, says Dairy Division pig specialist P. Beck. Big fluctuations in the pig population—the basic cause of cycles of boom and depression in the industry—would be avoided if more farmers adopted a fixed farm level policy towards the industry.

List Of Departmental Publications, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE bulletins named in the following list are mainly reprints of articles which have appeared in "The Journal of Agriculture" and the date of the original publication has been appended to facilitate reference to bound volumes of the Journal.

Except where a price is expressly stated, these bulletins may be obtained free of charge either by applying at the counter of the Department of Agriculture or by writing to the Publications Officer, Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth.

Honey Flora Calendar For April, R S. Coleman

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

A look at flora available in April

Mulesing Pays, W L. Mcgarry

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

THERE is little doubt that the combined mules and tail strip treatment is still far ahead of all other blowfly control measures.

This treatment can and should be carried out as farm or station routine practice in the same way as are other accepted management practices, such as lambmarking, drenching, etc.

Silage Competition : 1959-1960, H G. Elliott

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

THE Australian Dairy Produce Board Pasture Improvement Committee (W.A.) have sponsored a silage competition in the dairying areas over the past three years and this has been judged by officers of the Dairying Division of this Department.

Fertiliser Trials With Potatoes, Manjimup : 1958-1959, T Wachtel

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

THIS experiment was the third of this type carried out in karri loam soils.

Significant yield responses were obtained from increasing rates of fertiliser applications.

The results appear to be generally consistent with those obtained previously in the area.