Life Sciences Commons^™

Wheat Variety Trials On Research Stations, J T. Reeves, J. L. Mcmullan

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

THE results of wheat variety trials at seven Research Stations in the medium and low rainfall areas for the years 1957, 1958 and 1959 are presented and discussed.

The trials are designed to give information on yield and flour quality of promising crossbreds originating from local breeding programmes and newly produced varieties from other parts of Australia.

Large scale variety trials are the final tests in the long process of selection and testing which is essential before a new crossbred can be released.

The new wheats are compared with standard ones under different conditions of soil and climate.

Mosaic Disease Of Cucumbers : A New Resistant Variety, H L. Harvey

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

TESTS with the cucumber variety Ohio MR 200 which was introduced from the U.S.A. (1), have shown it to be almost unaffected by the cucumber mosaic virus. It is a good type and satisfactory yielder and promises to be the answer to the cucumber mosaic problem in Western Australia.

Famous Sheep Breeds. 2. The Corriedale, J A. Mallett

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

THE Corriedale sheep is a breed which has achieved widespread popularity throughout the world as a dual-purpose animal.

It was evolved by New Zealand breeders who—not fully satisfied with the performance of either the Merino or the British longwool sheep under their conditions—sought an animal which would combine the superlative wool-producing properties, and outstanding foraging ability of the Merino with the better meat production and better mothering qualities of the British sheep.

Some Results With Nitrogen Fertiliser On Cereals At Esperance Plain Research Station, William John Toms

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

ON newly-cleared land at Esperance Plain Research Station the use of sulphate of ammonia on cereals has proved profitable over a number of seasons.

The response to sulphate of ammonia varies markedly with the season.

Pinkeye In Sheep : Some Timely Comments, F C. Wilkinson

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

DURING the summer months, it is almost inevitable that numbers of sheep in Western Australia will suffer from contagious ophthalmia—or pinkeye, to give the disease its more popular name.

As it can be quite a distressing disease which can cause severe setbacks, most flock owners, knowing that medicaments are available for the treatment of pinkeye, will feel that they should do something for the affected animals.

Insect Pests : Aphides, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

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

Diseases Recorded On Cereals, Grasses And Pasture Legumes In Western Australia, S C. Chambers

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

This list constitutes a revision of portion of the census published by Came (1925) and supplemented by the same author in 1927.

It also contains records of diseases identified in the period between these earlier publications and December 31, 1959.

The list is divided into two sections, the first dealing with pasture legumes and the second with cereals and grasses.

The sections are arranged alphabetically according to the botanical names of the host plants. In general, the viral, bacterial, fungal and nematodal diseases and physiological disorders are listed in that order.

Wild Dog Control In The North-West, R J. Fraser

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

BECAUSE of its sparsely-settled condition, the North-West of Western Australia is almost an ideal breeding-ground and hunting-ground for wild dogs.

Even the best of the pastoral country is but thinly populated and there are large areas of rugged country which is seldom traversed by white men.

Record Keeping On Dairy Farms, R A. Bettenay

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

FARMING today is very much a business venture and the successful farmer is the one who is not only capable of doing the manual work, but who also has the ability to plan the work routine and determine which of the possible avenues is likely to bring the greatest financial return.

For this, and many other reasons, simple but adequate records must be kept by all dairy farmers.

Many types of records should be kept but if a routine is followed, a few moments' work each evening will suffice to keep things up to date.

Registered Stock Foods 1960-61 : Supplementary List, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A supplement to the list of Registered Stock Feeds available in West Australia.

Foster-Mothering Of Calves, Maurice C. Cullity, K. W. Simes

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

"SAVE those calves" is a slogan which has been used frequently in propaganda to reduce the slaughter of heifers when it is thought that the supply of replacement animals to our dairy herds might be unduly low.

Although there is no fear of this at present, the wastage of calves both heifers and bulls, in Western Australia is unduly large.

How Much Food Should I Give My Dog?, F C. Wilkinson

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

THIS is a question which every veterinary surgeon has heard hundreds of times, and one that it is impossible to answer in general terms because dogs differ so much in their food requirements and because the nutrient values of various foodstuffs vary considerably.

The Problem Of Low Solids-Not-Fat In Milk, Laurence C. Snook

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

TO the consumer of milk, the solids-not-fat fractions is of prime importance.

This contains the protein, the minerals and the milk-sugar which collectively make milk such a valuable and palatable food.

If we wish to encourage increased consumption of milk as a health food it is essential that quality must be maintained and if possible improved.

Producers and distributors must always remember that if maximum sales are to be obtained, the needs of the consumer must remain paramount.

Honey Flora Calendar For September, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available for September

The Care Of The Breeding Sow, P C. Beck

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

PIG-RAISING is a specialised field of animal production, which, to be profitable must incorporate both a scientific and a practical approach.

These two factors must be complementary, for without a sound practical approach, the value of the scientific principles involved, e.g., in breeding and compounding rations would accordingly be reduced.

Teaser (Vasectomised) Rams : A Management Advantage, W L. Mcgarry, I. K. Stott

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

WITH normal late spring-early summer matings (October-December) teaser rams, correctly used, will give a more concentrated lambing.

This has been shown under Western Australian conditions in trials conducted at the Wongan Hills Research Station.

In one experiment a group of 100 ewes which had one per cent, of teasers for 14 days before the fertile rams went in, dropped 42 lambs in the first two weeks of lambing, compared with 17 lambs from 100 ewes that were not teased.

The use of teasers in all Research Station flocks is now routine practice.

Rabbit Control In 1960, C Marshall

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

IN the year 1859, an enthusiastic sportsman in Victoria took delivery from the clipper "Lightning" of a small consignment of wild European rabbits which he joyfully released on his estate at Barwon Park, near Geelong, in order to assure himself of some rough shooting.

He was not the only rabbit importer on record—tame rabbits were brought into Australia before and after 1895 and doubtless there were other importations of the wild rabbit—but he is generally credited—or discredited—with having triggered off the rabbit plague.

Trees Of Western Australia. 63. Yellow Tingle (E. Guifoylei, Maiden). 64. Weeping Gum (E. Sepulcralis, F. Muell.). 65. Kingsmill's Mallee (E. Kingsmillii Maiden Et Blakely). 66. Hopetoun Mallee (E. Leptocalyx, W.F. Blakely). 67. Capped Mallee (E. Pileata, W.F. Blakely). 68. Eucalyptus Carnabyi (Blakely And Steedman). 69. Tallerack (E. Tretragona (R.Br.) F. Muell.). 70. Eucalyptus Micranthera (F. Muell. Ex. Benth.), Charles Austin Gardner

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

THE yellow tingle is one of the large forest trees of the lower South-West, and although it possesses many good qualities, its limited range renders it of less importance than its associates—the jarrah and karri.

Spraying Guide For The Control Of Pests And Diseases Of Fruit Trees, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE following guide for the spraying of fruit trees has been prepared as a ready reference for fruit growers and as a seasonal reminder of control measures necessary to deal with orchard pests and diseases.

The charts have been kept as brief as possible consistent with supplying details of recommended materials, concentrations and time of application, and growers should comsult Departmental leaflets or Departmental officers for more detailed information.

Weed Research. 8. Weed Control In The Vineyard, Geoffrey A. Pearce, W. R. Jamieson

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

WEED control in the vineyard has been achieved by cultivation for many centuries and it is only during recent years that attention has been given to the use of herbicides for this purpose.

Today there is little risk to the vine in using any one of the herbicides listed in this article, and in general the main considerations governing the use of chemicals for weed control are the cost of the operation and the effect which it is desired to achieve.

Brucellosis Can Cause Contagious Abortion In Cattle And Undulant Fever In Man, F C. Wilkinson

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

WHEN the cow, shown in the accompanying photograph, was purchased it had a small fluid-filled lump on the left knee.

The swelling did not appear to be painful but gradually increased in size until it assumed the proportions shown in the picture.

It was a typical case of "big-knee," one of the less common manifestations of Brucellosis—the disease commonly known as contagious abortion—and a blood test of the animal confirmed the diagnosis.

Diseases Of Goats, J Shilkin

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

MANY of the diseases of goats are common to sheep and cattle, and, as in these species, correct feeding, hygiene and general care and management will assist in the avoidance of serious ailments.

In this article an attempt will be made to advise goat-owners on the diagnosis of the more common ailments, and suggestions as to treatment will be offered where possible.

It should be appreciated however that where veterinary assistance is obtainable it is preferable to first-aid treatment. A qualified veterinarian has access to newer and more efficient methods of treatment than are available to the layman.

The Half Dump For Easier And Better Fruit Packing, J S. Bloomfield

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

ONE of the first cases used for the marketing of citrus fruit in Western Australia was the "flat bushel," which is similar in size to the "long bushel" used extensively for pears in Victoria.

In a bulletin on fruit packing and the marketing and exporting of fruit issued in 1915, the fiat box was illustrated and recommended as a suitable container for the local market.

This case was superseded by the "dump" case when the Harvey area came into production about the beginning of World War I.

Drought Feeding Of Sheep, Laurence C. Snook

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

WHEN this talk on drought feeding of sheep was suggested conditions were very serious over large tracts of pastoral country.

Many stations had not received a worthwhile rain for over 12 months and it appeared that grazing animals would have to be fed if they were to survive.

Requests have been received for advice on the cheapest way to keep sheep alive. Drought feeding in any form is a gamble. There is always the risk that the stock will eventually die despite the consumption of much costly feed.

It follows that if an effort is to be made to save …

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

Bracken Poisoning In Cattle, P B. Lewis

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

THE ingestion of bracken fern causes the death of numbers of young cattle in the South-West of Western Australia every year.

Early experimental work in the United Kingdom demonstrated that bracken contained an anti-Vitamin Bl factor called thiaminase which was thought to be the cause of the poisoning, but later work indicated that a bone marrow poisoning, not yet chemically identified, was responsible.

Second West Australian Random Sample Egg Laying Tests : 1958-59, R H. Morris

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

4S part of the poultry improvement plan for Western Australia, the Department of Agriculture inaugurated a random sample laying test for commercial grade chickens at the Poultry Research Station, Herdsman Lake, in 1957.

Safflower : An Oil Crop For The Kimberleys, D F. Beech

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

EXPERIMENTS with irrigated safflower carried out at the Kimberley Research Station have shown that the crop is well adapted to the local conditions.

In recent years yields of 2,000 to 3,000 lb. per acre have been generally obtained. Oil content of the main variety under trial varied between 33 and 35 per cent.

Locally produced safflower oil could help to make the Australian paint industry largely independent of imports.

Safflower meal is a protein-rich concentrate and could have considerable impact on the Kimberley cattle industry.

Safflower is likely to play an important part in the early development of irrigation agriculture …

Simnel Cake, H M. Gloster

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

THIS is a traditional cake of English rural origin that is usually served on "Mothering Sunday" or Mid-Lent Sunday (the fourth Sunday in Lent).

Mothering Sunday is the day on which sons and daughters visit their parents and take them gifts. Quite often the gift takes the form of a Simnel cake.

There Is No Mystery About 1080, A R. Tomlinson

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

DESPITE the widespread publicity given to sodium fluoroacetate or "1080" and its general use throughout agricultural areas, there appear to be many misconceptions regarding the poison itself, its control, dangers and precautions and also the method of application. I will mention several of the questions often asked and give the answers.