Life Sciences Commons^™

Applying Orchard Fertiliser A Handy Home-Made Aid, H S. Argyle

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

Fertilisers such as sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, being rich in nitrogen are used extensively by orchardists and market gardeners. Both these compounds are readily soluble in water and are easily carried through the soil to the rooting areas of plants and trees.

Strainer Posts And Fence Patterns, J A. Mallett

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

Good fences have long been regarded as the sign-manual of the good farmer. A VF taut, well-constructed and well-maintained fence does more than merely add to the appearance—and cash value—of a farming property; it makes a priceless contribution towards the owner's peace of mind. He knows that his stock will "stay put" instead of disporting themselves in his own or his neighbours' crops—and the fence which keeps his own animals in will keep straying stock out, and so save both time and temper.

Snails And Slugs, C F.H Jenkins

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

Before giving any details concerning these pests, it will be well to explain that slugs and snails are, of course, not insects. They have been included in this series of articles, however, because the damage they do resembles very much that done by various insects and because the lot of recommending control measures usually falls to an entomologist. The snail could more correctly be called a shellfish than an insect as it is a true mollusc, but one which has become adapted to a life on land instead of in the water.

Oriental Fruit Moth, C F.H Jenkins

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

In recent weeks a new insect pest for Western Australia has been recorded. This -•- is the Oriental fruit moth, sometimes known as the Oriental peach moth and the peach tip moth, both names indicating that peaches are the most susceptible of a wide variety of host fruits.

White Cabbage Butterfly

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

During January a consignment of small wasp which parasite the white Cabbage Butterfly were received in this State from the C.S.I.R.O., Canberra, and were released on cabbages in the Coogee area.

Planning Boosts Poultry Profits, K D. Giles

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

Amazing as it may seem, the time and labour expended in the ordinary everyday chores on a poultry farm carrying 1,000 birds can be reduced five times by adopting modern efficiency methods. This will appeal to poultry farmers in this State who know that low labour costs are closely linked to high profits.

Plant Your Roses Carefully, C C. Hillary

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

While the planting of roses is a comparatively simple business, there are certain rules which must be followed if losses are to be avoided. Most of the roses sold by nurserymen in this State are raised on what is known as Fortuniana stock. The origin of this stock is somewhat obscure, but it is thought to be the result of a cross between Rosa banksia and Rosa laevigata. Whatever its origin, however, it is certainly a very vigorous stock and one which thrives better in the soils and climate of this State than any other. A further advantage is its …

Potato-Harvesting Machines

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

Less than 15% of Australian potato-growers own mechanical diggers stated the Director General of Agriculture (Mr. Frank W. Bulcock) in replying to inquiries addressed to him by the West Australian Minister for Agriculture (Sir Charles Latham).

[Article not present in contents page but present in index and in text]

Actinomycosis And Actinobacillosis, J Shilkin

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

Actinomycosis and actinobacillosis, commonly known as "lumpy jaw" and "wooden tongue" respectively, are chronic infective diseases which are most commonly encountered in cattle, occasionally in pigs, and much less frequently in the other domestic animals and man. They are characterised by the presence of tumour-like swellings and exude pus containing yellow sulphur-like granules. These swellings are commonly found in or on the jawbones and tongue, but may be found on occasions, in other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, spleen, etc.

New Cereal Varieties In Australia, I Thomas, J Reeves

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

In 1927 a conference of the State Ministers of Agriculture resolved that to avoid X duplication, the names of new cereal varieties be circulated among the States and subsequently confirmed at a meeting of Ministers. Particulars of new varieties as submitted to the Registrar are as follows—

Control Of Swarming, R S. Coleman

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

It has often been said that the secret of getting a high yield of honey is to have a large field force of young bees in every hive at the beginning of the nectar flow. The colonies should not have to build up numerical strength when they should be collecting nectar. It is just as important for the apiarist to have a large proportion of field bees compared with hive bees as it is to have well-bred queens, efficient equipment and all the other factors which make for success in beekeeping.

Vibriosis (Vibrio Foetus Infection) Recorded In South-West Herds, J Craig

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

Vibriosis of dairy cattle was recently diagnosed for the first time in several herds in the South-West part of this State. This disease is not a new one, since Vibrionic abortion has been recognised for some considerable time in Europe and America, while within recent years it has been identified as causing abortion and sterility in cattle in the Eastern States of Australia.

Dahlias - Lifting And Storing The Tubers, F Jackson

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

Now that the flowering season for dahlias has finished, arrangements must be made for lifting and storing the tubers. Many losses occur each year during the dormant period and most of these are due either to carelessness or lack of knowledge. While the storage provided for dahlias during the winter months may be thoroughly satisfactory, tubers are often lost because of the treatments received by the plants during the growing period.

"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.

Elephant Grass, H G. Elliott, L C. Snook

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

Elephant Grass, sometimes known as Napier's Fodder, is a hardy, palatable and nutritious plant which under good conditions will give heavy yields. When once established it will remain as a permanent stand so long as it receives good treatment. It grows well in many parts of Western Australia and up to date appears to be free from attack by pests and diseases.

* (Revised from Leaflet No. 600, by H. G. Elliott)

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.

The Webworm, C F.H Jenkins

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

The popular name webworm has been applied to a small caterpillar whose depredations in ploughed-in wheat crops have concerned farmers in this State for many years. The first record of the insect as a pest was made by Newman (1927) under the scientific name of Sclerobia tritialis Wlk. and it has been referred to as such in all subsequent Departmental publications. Recent investigations, how-ever, suggest that either more than one species of insects is covered by the term webworm or that the true webworm is a Crambid moth known as Talis pedionoma Mayr.

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

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.

Trees Of Western Australia - Tuart And Illyarrie, C A. Gardner

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

Early settlers of the Swan River Colony soon learnt to value the timber of a tree which the aborigines called "Tooart." It ranked with that of the jarrah in local importance and, because of its toughness, was used for keelsons, stern posts, bridge supports, shafts and wheelright's work—in short for all purposes where great strength, solidity and durability were needed.

Drill Spacing And Rate Of Seeding, I Thomas, H G. Carris

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

During the war, when superphosphate was in exceptionally short supply,a wheatbelt farmer experimented with a method of sowing a crop in which he had blocked each alternate drill run and in effect halved the rates of seed and super used on each acre. He expressed himself satisfied with the results and has since continued to plant the major portion of his crop in this manner.

Novel Farm-Made Spray Outfit, L G. Hayward

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

When it became apparent that their power spray unit was unable to spray all the trees in their area in accordance with the pre-arranged baiting schedule, the committee of the Eastern Hills Fruit Fly Baiting Scheme called a meeting to discuss ways and means of augmenting the service. Following upon the discussion, three of the committeemen evolved the cheap and effective spray plant described below.

Gas Storage Of Apples, S E. Hardisty

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

As the storage life of many popular varieties of apples is limited in England by their susceptibility to low temperature breakdown, gas storage was developed as an alternative means of retarding the ripening of the fruit. Although the method does not decrease the susceptibility to low temperature breakdown it does permit longer storage at relatively high temperatures (40 F). It is used extensively in Great Britain and America and it also has general application for storage at 32° F.

As the store is sealed off and no fruit is removed until the end of the storage period, it is essential …

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.

Cobalt, L C. Snook

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

Cobalt is one of the most interesting of the so-called "trace" elements. Particularly is this so to West Australians as the use of cobalt has permitted farmers to rear healthy sheep and cattle where previously this was impossible. Also, it was in this State that Filmer and Underwood carried out much of the fundamental work which led to the discovery of the vital importance of cobalt.

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]

The Farm Bookshelf

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

Some reviews of current publications of rural interest.

[One in a series of ongoing article series, publication reviews]

Fertiliser Registrations

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

The following Fertilisers have been registered at the Department of Agriculture under the Fertilisers Act 1928, for the year commencing 1st November, 1951.

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]

Muresk Agricultural College

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

The Muresk Agricultural College was founded in 1926 and is situated at Muresk, near Spencers Brook. The standard for admission is the Junior Certificate or its equivalent, and students with suitable advanced qualifications may be exempted from the first year classes of either of the following Diploma Courses:—