Life Sciences Commons^™

Preparation Of Vegetables For Market, James P. Fallon

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

PROFITS in commercial vegetable growing depend as much on proper harvesting, handling and marketing as on good production practices.

Many gardeners who are experts as producers are perhaps not so expert in presenting their produce in a manner which will command the most favourable return.

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

Citrus Growing In The Home Garden, Frank Melville

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

ALTHOUGH well suited to our climate, citrus trees do not always thrive in the metropolitan area because of the unsuitable soil conditions in some suburbs.

Lemons can usually be grown successfully and grapefruit are worth persevering with, but oranges and mandarins are better suited to the loamy soils of the Gosnells, Guildford and Hills districts.

Collecting Plant Specimens. 1. Specimens For Identification, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

PLANT NAMES and the naming of plant specimens are of fundamental importance in many branches of science, including agriculture.

To the farmer, too, accuracy in naming poisonous plants and weeds, as well as fodder and pasture species, can save much trouble and expense, and may be responsible for avoiding heavy stock losses.

Healthy Pastures, F E. Ryan

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

IN sweeping away forests to make room for pastures we have taken on the responsibility of maintaining these areas in a condition suitable for the growth of pasture plants.

This is done by a choice of suitable species, fertilising, cultivating, drainage, control of grazing and by weed and insect control.

Cover Spraying For The Control Of Celery Leaf Spot. Part 2, S C. Chambers

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

SEVERAL additional cover spray schedules for the control of leaf spot in winter celery, have been evaluated during the past two years.

The most satisfactory of these is one in which Bordeaux 4 : 4 : 40 is replaced by Ziram for the last two applications before harvest.

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals : Factors Under Investigation. 2. Depth Of Planting, S C. Chambers

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

DEPTH of planting appears to have an important influence upon the emergence of a cereal crop. Increasing the depth by one inch within the range 1-5 inches, not only depressed the emergence counts of wheat seedlings, but also increased the number which emerged abnormally.

Hoary Cress (Cardaria Draba (L.) Desv.), G R W Meadly

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

HOARY CRESS, known also as Hoary Pepperwort or White Weed, is a perennial plant native to t h e Mediterranean region and Western Asia.

It has spread as a weed to northern Europe including Britain, as well as to other temperate countries among which are North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Factors In Weed Propagation, G R W Meadly

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

I N crop and pasture plants, seed production and harvesting are of vital impartance.

In a negative way, the formation of seeds by weeds can be equally important.

Baconer Carcase Competitions, H G. Elliott, S. R. Dunstan

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

TO further the implementation of its policy to foster the production of high quality bacon, the Australian Meat Board in 1960 again conducted for pig growers in Western Australia, its annual Baconer Carcase Competition.

The Use Of Lime In Market Gardens, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE term "lime" when used in relation to agriculture means any calcium containing material that is capable of correcting soil acidity.

While generally used for this purpose, lime has many other equally important functions in the soil.

Can Worms Be Controlled By Correct Feeding?, Laurence C. Snook

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

THE extensive losses which result from the ravages of internal parasites are a matter of serious concern.

Livestock owners realise this all too well and welcome advice concerning control measures which can be adopted. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give clear cut advice on the subject.

Much publicity is given to the use of drugs which will expel the worms. Various systems of strategic drenching have been developed.

It is well to remember, however, that drenching is only one of many methods which can be used to control worm infestation.

In this talk attention will be concentrated on experimental …

Winter Pests In The Pasture, P N. Forte

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

ALTHOUGH the pests concerned in attacking winter pastures are known to most farmers a discussion of their control and relative importance will not be out of place.

The principal pests concerned fall into two groups. Firstly the red-legged earth mite and lucerne flea whose attacks are most noticeable soon after germination and secondly a group of caterpillars which appear about the same time and whose attack is not noticed until a large amount of damage has been done.

Net Blotch Of Barley, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

NET Blotch is the commonest disease of barley in Western Australia, attacking all commercial varieties and causing considerable damage to foliage of maturing crops.

Despite its prevalence, net blotch is rarely the cause of a serious crop loss.

Some Notes On Worms In Sheep In Southern Western Australia, I W. Parnell

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

DURING the last fifty or more years several surveys have been made of the worm parasites which occur in southern Western Australia.

In the 'fifties, thanks to the stimulus of Mr. H. McL. Gordon, supported by Dr. H. W. Bennetts, observations were made on the sequence of the infestations in autumn-born weaners in the country stretching from Moora to Cranbrook and Bridgetown, and later near Geraldton and Esperance.

Honey Flora Calendar For August, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available in August.

Plants And Asthma, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

ASTHMA is defined in the dictionary as being a disease characterised by recurring attacks of difficulty in breathing, and the causes are stated to include the inhalation of dust, or the odour of plants, flowers or animals.

Hay fever is a similar condition and this too, is caused by plants, usually at the time of flowering, when large quantities of pollen are produced.

Strawberry Culture, K T. Whitely

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

WHETHER fresh or preserved, the strawberry finds universal favour and is regarded more or less as a luxury.

For the grower it offers the quickest cash return of all fruits, cropping in the first year. It is, therefore, very useful to a man trying to establish a fruit growing property with limited capital.

A Crush For Tuberculin Testing Of Cattle, A L. Ripper

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

ALWAYS a useful asset on any farm where livestock are kept, a strongly-constructed crush is essential where tuberculin testing makes it necessary to deal with dry stock, bulls and young animals that have not been previously handled.

The crush described in this article was specially designed for tuberculin testing, but will serve equally well for vaccinating, branding, de-horning or any operation where restraint is necessary.

Hay For The Dairy Herd : Quality Or Quantity?, F E. Ryan

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

CONSERVATION of hay on dairy farms has increased in recent years but so far emphasis has been on quantity rather than quality and in some districts paddocks are closed up very early to increase yields per acre of hay.

Recent trials have shown that late closing of hay paddocks on dairy farms gives higher quality hay, more winter grazing and a better balanced pasture. The gain in quality more than compensates for any drop in yield.

Selecting A Herd Sire, R A. Bettenay

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

THERE is now ample evidence that most of the differences in production between herds are determined by feeding and management, with differences in genetic merit playing a relatively minor role.

It seems that the quickest way to increase production is by improved feeding, whilst in some herds much production is being lost by faulty milking techniques.

Common Bean Mosaic, W P. Cass Smith

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

COMMON bean mosaic is a widespread disease which attacks both dwarf and pole bean varieties.

The disease is caused by an infective principle or virus which spreads throughout the sap of affected plants, and causes both delayed maturity and drastic reduction in yield.

National Parks Of Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

NATIONAL PARKS," says the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "are spacious land areas, essentially of primitive or wilderness character, that contain scenery and natural wonder so outstanding in quality that their preservation intact for the benefit, enjoyment and inspiration of the people, is a national concern."

Collecting Plant Specimens. 2. Specimens For Disease Identification, G C. Macnish

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

PLANT SPECIMENS submitted to the Department of Agriculture for disease identification are referred to officers of the Plant Pathology Branch, and in most cases a rapid diagnosis can be made.

Banana Cultivation At Carnarvon, J A F Lawson

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

THE banana is claimed by some authorities to be the first fruit ever used by man. Indeed, it is so widely scattered throughout the tropical countries of the world that it is very difficult to name its centre of origin.

For centuries it has been regarded as one of the most useful fruits for treating patients with digestive ailments, and over the last few decades it has been recommended by doctors, particularly for infants.

Although the protein content of bananas is low, the sugars of the ripened fruit are present in a most useful form, and the vitamin content, by …

Salty Seepages Can Be Productive, C V. Malcolm

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

MUCH has been said and written concerning the use of Paspalum vaginatum for growing on seepage areas, but the general production to be expected from seepage areas has not received much attention.

The fact is that properly handled, seepage areas can be quite productive, and can be valuable for summer grazing.

Let's Look At Herringbone Dairies, R A. Bettenay, F. Fielder

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

THE first of the modern type herringbone dairies in Western Australia was constructed by Mr. F. Tucker of Ruabon, in 1957.

Since then there has been strong interest in this system, and there are now at least six such sheds operating in the district between Ludlow and Augusta. Many more are being constructed.

Poultry Diseases In Western Australia, I. J. Miller, P Smetana

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

POULTRY diseases constitute a major factor in losses sustained by the industry.

It is the aim of this article to provide a ready source of information to assist the poultry farmer in understanding the common disease conditions that he is likely to encounter and to suggest possible means of control and treatment.

Salt Land Management : Too Early To Graze Bluebush, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

M ANY people, including research officers in this Department, have examined bluebush and saltbush plantings in spring, and, finding nothing, have assumed failure.

Powdery Mildew Of Cucurbits, R F. Doepel

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

Powdery Mildew is one of the most damaging fungal diseases of cucurbits in Western Australia.

Disease development reaches epidemic proportions in most years and results in reduction in yield and quality of crops.

Regular applications of fungicides give economic control on susceptible varieties.