Life Sciences Commons^™

Selenium : An Essential Trace Element, Laurence C. Snook

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

SELENIUM is one of the rare elements. In most soils it occurs in such minute quantities as to escape attention.

Plants, however, can concentrate selenium in their tissues and, in the U.S.A. in areas where the soils contain more selenium than usual, this facility can result in selenium poisoning in grazing animals.

Fortunately, none of the common soil types in Australia appears to contain enough selenium to affect the quality of the herbage.

Take Care Of That Wood-Work, H M. Gloster

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

IN these oft-quoted lines, Joyce Kilmer expressed a thought which many of us may have cherished.

Most of us are tree-lovers and few people can witness the felling of a forest giant without a pang of regret. It is consoling to reflect however that "tree-butchery"—the wasteful exploitation of forest resources—is largely a thing of the past.

Honey Flora Calendar For March, R S. Coleman

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

A look at Flora available for March

Pig Pox : Its Presence In W.A. Is Suspected But Not Yet Confirmed, F C. Wilkinson

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

A PIG-FARMER recently asked for in-information on pig-pox and inquired whether the disease occurs in Western Australia.

The first part of the question is easily answered, as pig-pox is a typical pox disease caused by a virus and resulting in roundish, red areas appearing on the pig's skin.

The disease is in fact very similar to the other more commonly known pox diseases—chicken-pox in the human population, fowl-pox in poultry and cow-pox in cattle.

Trees Of Western Australia. 39. Comet Vale Mallee (Eucalyptus Comitae-Vallis). 40. Woodline Mallee (E. Cylindrocarpa Blakely). 41. Ribbon-Barked Mallee (E. Sheathiana Maiden). 42. Burracoppin Mallee (E. Burracoppinensis Maiden Et Blakely). 43. Cap-Fruited Mallee (E. Dielsii C.A. Gardn.). 44. Spearwood Mallee (E. Doratoxylon F. Muell.) 45. Apple Mallee (E. Buprestium F. Muell.). 46. Goblet Mallee (E. Scyphocalyx (F. Muell.) Maiden Et Blakely), Charles Austin Gardner

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

THIS mallee, formerly thought to be restricted to the Comet Vale district, must be very rare in that locality, since it is seldom found growing there, but on the other hand it has an extensive range, being found as far west as Perenjori. Kalannie and Kulja, thence eastwards to Comet Vale, and southward to Mount Holland which lies south of Southern Cross.

Trees Of Western Australia. 55. Cabbage Gum (Eucalyptus Clavigera A. Cunn. Ex Schau.). 56. Large-Leaved Cabbage Gum (E. Grandifolia R. Br. Ex Benth.). 57. Ghost Gum (E. Papuana F. Muell. ). 58. Rough-Leaved Range Gum (E. Aspera F. Muell.). 59. Weeping Box (E. Patellaris F. Muell.). 60. Silver-Leaved Box (E. Pruinosa Schau.). 61. Kimberley White Gum (E. Houseana W.V. Fitz. Ex Maiden). 62. Poplar Gum (E. Bigalerita F. Muell.), Charles Austin Gardner

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

THIS tree is one of the common trees of Kimberley, inhabiting the sandy soils of the sandstone ranges, but is found less frequently on the sandy flat country.

It is most common in northern Kimberley extending as far south as the King Leopold Range, and is less frequently encountered on the plains of the Ord and Fitzroy Rivers.

Grasshoppers And Locusts In Western Australia, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

GRASSHOPPERS and locusts are among the most ancient enemies of the farmer, for they figured prominently in Biblical times, and periodically throughout the ages have devastated crops in all parts of the world.

Making Your Own Beehives, R S. Coleman

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

THE publication of this article runs counter to my own principles to some extent as I have long maintained that most beekeepers will find it cheaper in the long run to purchase factory-made hives and frames.

I realise, however, that many apiarists possess both the skill and equipment to make hive-bodies, and that some at least can occupy slack periods profitably in this manner.

Seed Storage In Relation To Germination, G R W Meadly

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

WE are often asked how long seed can be stored and remain suitable for sowing.

There is no single answer as the period depends on a number of factors, including the type of seed, its condition at the time of storing and the nature of the storage.

Water Usage Trials With Bananas On The Gascoyne, W M. Nunn

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

THE banana industry at Carnarvon is an unusual one by most agricultural standards.

Normally a tropical plant liking relatively humid conditions in a high rainfall, the banana is cultivated at Carnarvon in an area of extremely low rainfall and with relatively low humidity throughout the year.

Water is pumped to irrigate the crop from the sands of the Gascoyne River bed or from bores adjacent to the river course.

Meals For Cooler Seasons : A Plain Cushion, H M. Gloster

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

ALTHOUGH March, April and May go to make up the "official" autumn season, the Clerk of the Weather does not always send us typical autumn weather.

Easter has passed however, we can usually expect cooler days and can look forward to the preparation and enjoyment of foods that are richer and more substantial than our hot weather fare.

Here are some suggestions for two universal favourites— roast duck and baked ham.

Scald Of Barley, S C. Chambers

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

SCALD is a common disease of barley during late winter-early spring and causes considerable damage to the foliage of many crops.

The fungus Rhynchosporium secalis is responsible for this disease which is very prevalent in all barley growing districts.

The Romney Marsh, J A. Mallett

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

THE Romney Marsh, sometimes known as the Kent, is the most popular of the British longwoel sheep breeds used in Western Australia.

Rams of this breed are widely used for mating with Merino ewes, the crossbred female progeny of the matings being in demand for subsequent mating with Downs-type rams to produce export Iambs.

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 Offieer-in-Charge of Publications, Department of Agriculture, Perth.

Time Of Lambing, W L. Mcgarry, I. K. Scott

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

THE time chosen for lambing depends on many factors, and the final decision rests with the individual flock-owner who has to consider how different times fit in with the overall programme of farm operations; how they will influence the marking percentage, the marketing, the thrift of his sheep and most important, how they influence the profit from his sheep operations.

Soursob (Oxalis Pes-Caprae L.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING winter and spring, the yellow colouration of paddocks is not always due to the flowers of the widely distributed Capeweed.

In some districts, particularly in the Avon Valley, the yellow-flowered soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae L.), has become firmly established.

The genus Oxalis contains 800 or more different species, the two main natural centres of distribution being South Africa and tropical and extra-tropical South America.

Ticks Affecting Animals In Australia, J Shilkin

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

WHILE there are many external parasites affecting animals in Australia, information in regard to their geographical distribution and incidence is far from complete.

However, there is little doubt that the ticks, and in particular, the cattle tick, are the most important of these parasites in Australia.

We are fortunate that many species are not present in this country, as some of them are carriers of serious diseases of both man and animals.

Cutting Costs In Calf Rearing, N A. Scott

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

RAISING calves as herd replacements and as a sideline to provide added income is becoming increasingly popular.

This is particularly noticeable since the inception of the Artificial Breeding Scheme whereby farmers are at liberty to breed herd replacements from their most productive cows and use semen from beef breeds for the poorer types.

Afghan Thistle (Solanum Hystrix R. Br.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING the summer months it is usual to receive many specimens of a prickly plant with blue flowers similar to those of a potato. It is commonly known as Afghan Thistle or Prickly Potato Weed.

This plant is not a thistle, although it has the prickly foliage characteristic of many members of that group. The botanical name is Solanum hystrix which places it in the same family as the tomato, potato and tobacco.

Relatives also include weeds such as the thornapples, black nightshade and apple of Sodom.

The name Prickly Potato Weed, although somewhat unwieldy is therefore more appropriate than …

Weed Control In Cereals, G R W Meadly

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

WITH seeding almost completed, it is appropriate to review our knowledge of weed control methods in order to undertake any necessary planning.

Although cultural operations provide the first line of attack in the control of weeds in cereals, chemicals are playing a very important and increasing part.

The principles underlying cultural methods, including prevention from seeding and exhausting dormant seed reserves in the soil, are well known and it is intended to devote this article largely to the use of chemicals as herbicides, along with the various implications.

Pullorum-Tested Poultry Flocks : 1960, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EARLY in 1955, an amendment to the Stock Diseases Act made blood-testing compulsory for all commercial breeding and hatchery flocks of poultry, and it was required that the incidence of infection, as determined by the last test prior to the commencement of hatching, must be less than two per cent.

Rice Stem Borers At The Kimberley Research Station, L E. Koch

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

STEM boring caterpillars have severely damaged rice crops at the Kimberley Research Station, near Wyndham, and studies have been made on the biology, abundance, and control of these insects.

Beef Growth Rate Studies : Wokalup Research Station, Maurice C. Cullity

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

Comparison of Growth Rates on Irrigated and Unirrigated Pastures of Two Year Old and Yearling Beef Dairy Crosses and of Yearling Jersey Steers.

The Merredin Early Strain Of Wimmera Ryegrass, J T. Reeves, H. M. Fisher

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

WITH the exception of subterranean clover, no introduced pasture species has a wider application in Western Australia than Wimmera ryegrass.

This popular pasture plant is believed to have originated as a natural cross between two ryegrass species and first became prominent in the Wimmera district of Victoria.

Facts And Figures For The Man On The Land, J A. Mallett

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

FARM or station life calls for the exercise of so many different skills that the farmer or pastoralist is usually an accomplished handyman.

For those whose schooldays are far behind them however, the most difficult part of many tasks is that of dealing with the calculations involved, and it is hoped that these facts and figures will serve as a handy aid to those whose mathematical ability has not kept pace with their manual and technical skill.

Hold On To Your Egg Profits, J A. Hoy

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

IN recent years, much sound advice has been made available to poultry farmers to assist them in developing their properties and operating them on profitable lines.

Much of this advice has been utilised to good advantage, but there are still many properties on which the profits are being reduced by feed wastage, damage by rats and mice, lack of sufficient attention to egg quality, unnecessarily high labour costs and failure to keep farm records.

Famous Sheep Breeds : The Merino, J A. Mallett

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

THE Merino breed has often been described as "the Royal Family of the Sheep World" and this title was never more applicable than in the case of the presentday Australian Merino—a sheep which, in addition to producing the world's most valuable wool is so staunchly-constitutioned that it will thrive under a wide range of conditions and has survived droughts in which the hardy native animals perished in thousands.

Lupinosis, H W. Bennetts

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

LUPINOSIS is a disease which has caused severe mortalities in West Australian sheep flocks in recent years, and one which—because of the important role which lupins are playing in light land development—must inevitably continue to be a matter of serious concern.

Vermin Control In W.A, A R. Tomlinson

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

THE annual report of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. for 1958-1959 indicated that while vermin control had continued at a relatively high standard throughout the State, most of the animal and bird pests were at the lowest level within the memory of most people.

However, there were ample warnings that any relaxation in control work could have rapid and serious consequences.

Commercial Vegetable Growing In The Perth Metropolitan Region, L T. Jones

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

MARKET gardening with sprinkler irrigation on deep sandy soils around Perth is really a commercial application of hydroponics or sand culture principles.

Provision of a continuous and adequate supply of nitrogen is the major problem. Peat swamps scattered among the sandy areas have higher natural fertility. However, their common problems are drainage, acidity ("sourness"), salt and various special soil deficiencies. Over-liming of acid swamps can cause new problems.