Agriculture Commons^™

Infectious Pneumonia Of Pigs, C R. Toop

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

Infectious pneumonia is by far the most common disease of pigs in Western Australia and 1 is a source of serious loss to the pig industry. It has a wide distribution, and evidence of its existence in one form or another may be found in a large proportion of piggeries throughout the State. It is largely confined to young pigs and is most frequently observed in weaners and slips. For the most part it occurs as a chronic disease with symptoms of coughing, unthnftiness and retarded growth, but it may occasionally assume an acute form accompanied by serious mortality.

Schools For Farmers - Muresk Winter Courses Resumed

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

THE short instructional courses for farmers which were a popular feature of the Muresk Agricultural College in pre-war years will be recommenced during July next.

Two three-day courses have been arranged, one on sheep and wool extending from the evening of July 21, to the afternoon of July 24, and another dealing with pig husbandry lasting from the evening of July 28 to the afternoon of July 31. Farmers desiring to enroll in these courses should obtain an application form from the Principal of the Muresk Agricultural College, Muresk, W.A., or from the Department of Agriculture, St. George's Terrace, Perth.

Crop Spraying With Hormone-Like Weedkillers, G R. W Meadly

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

Although a considerable amount of investigational work on various weeds was carried out during last season it is intended to devote this article to experience gained from large scale undertakings as distinct from experiments. A very successful aerial spraying project was undertaken against water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) at Lake Monger and pasture weeds such as thistles and Cape tulip (Homeria spp.) were treated with hormone-like preparations in a number of districts, but by far the greatest activity with these chemicals was associated with the selective control of weeds such as wild turnip (Brassica Tournefortii), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and mustard …

Plant Disease - Early Blight Or Target Spot Of Potatoes, W P. Cass Smith, M Hardie, B N. Lowe

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

Early blight or target spot caused by the fungus Alternaria solani is a widespread disease of potatoes which in Western Australia is most prevalent in crops dug in autumn and early summer. The disease may attack both foliage and tubers, but the tuber rot phase of the disease has hitherto caused most concern to local growers because it causes obvious losses in storage. The less obvious but more serious effects of the foliage blight have generally been overlooked, chiefly because the disease usually develops late in the season when the crops are approaching maturity. However recent spray trials with new …

Have Your Journals Bound!

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

Books are expensive in these days, but any farmer can acquire a useful agricultural library at trifling: cost by keeping- his copies of his "Journal of Agriculture" and having each year's issues bound

Seasonal Reminders

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

Tobacco Growing

In experiments which have been conducted for nine years at the Research Station, it has been found that, on light sandy loam soil, a lupin cover crop produces tobacco of the best quality during the following season. This applies especially to new land and the apparent reason is that lupins, when ploughed into the soil, produce a good bulk of organic matter which creates a better texture in the soil and a better moisture holding capacity. New Zealand blue lupins are recommended and it is advisable to inoculate seed before sowing, especially on new land. Application of fertiliser …

Wild Dogs

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

The Agricultural Protection Board has again pointed out that the time being spent by the Government doggers in hunting Individual wild dogs in farming areas was seriously hampering the more important work of destroying dogs by large-scale poisoning and trapping in their outback breeding areas.

Efficiency In The Apiary, R S. Coleman

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

Efficiency is a word that most people associate with factories and city life, but it is just as important, if not more important, for the primary producer. Reduced to everyday English, efficiency means more goods produced with less labour and with lower capital investment for the unit of produce sold. Efficiency can be called planned business commonsense designed to save time and money.

Dingo And Wild Dog Destruction, A G. Moore

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

It has often been said that poison is the best means of destroying dingoes and wild dogs. Poison acts silently and does not have the frightening effect of trapping. When used properly—on a well-planned system and at the right times— poisoning has given excellent results in controlling the pests.

The Farm Bookshelf

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

Dr. Josue de Castro, Chairman of Executive, Food and Agriculture Organisation, is a Brazilian, whose recently-published book "Geography of Hunger" presents an appalling picture of a world in which hunger is still the most potent source of social misfortunes.

Worms In Sheep, C R. Toop

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

The parasitic worms of sheep are widely distributed throughout Australia and are a source of serious loss to the sheep and wool industry. This results from the loss of condition which occurs in infested animals as well as from the failure of young sheep to thrive and make normal growth, and there is a consequent reduction both in carcase values and in the quantity and quality of wool produced. Furthermore, heavy infestations with worms are frequently responsible for serious mortalities.

Plant Disease - Corm Rots Of Gladioli, Olga M. Goss

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

Several diseases of gladioli now present in Western Australia can be very damaging to the plants under certain conditions. The diseases referred to in this article attack not only the above-ground portions of the plant, but the corms also, and their introduction to new areas usually results from the planting of infected corms. When such corms are planted the disease spreads to the developing shoots and leads to inferior growth and flower production, and in some cases to the death of the plant. An even more serious feature of the disease is that the soil becomes contaminated with the organisms …

Beekeepers' Field Day

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

About 80 beekeepers, attended the first apicultural field day organised by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Beekeepers' Section of the Farmers' Union of Western Australia. The field day was held at the Government Apiary, Yanchep, on December 13, and hot, sunny weather made it a successful and interesting innovation.

Here's The Answer

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

TICK FEVER

" I am experiencing trouble with young pullets losing the use of their legs, with accompanying form of diarrhoea. Most of the affected birds have dark coloured combs and die within two days of showing the first symptoms of being diseased. I have searched for tick but am unable to locate any trace of them. Can you assist me in this matter?"

The Citrus White Fly, C F.H Jenkins, D G. Shedley

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

For the first time in Western Australia the citrus white fly was recorded on lemon trees at Maddington in 1950 and since then it has been found to be widely distributed in the Maddington-Gosnells area and in scattered situations in the Darling Range, Middle Swan and Perth suburbs. It is also of interest to note that the insect appeared in Mildura citrus orchards in Victoria (Anon 1952), about the same time as it was reported from Western Australia, although there appears to be no explanation for its sudden dispersal over the continent.

Leaflet No 2024 - Mulesing And Tail Stripping. Proved Measures For The Control Of Crutch And Tail Strike In Sheep, J Reilly

Bulletins 1 - 2999

FOR many years, the losses from blowfly strike on the crutch and tail areas imposed a tremendous economic burden on the Merino sheep industry in Australia. Today, the modified Mules operation and the tail-strip treatment have provided a convincing answer to this menace. Breech wrinkles encourage strike, and although as a long-term policy, efforts are being made to eliminate wrinkles by breeding for plainness of breech, it is of the utmost importance to give the sheep IMMEDIATE protection by the most effective methods available.

Please note that “THIS ILLUSTRATED ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES”

Seasonal Reminders

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

Poultry Notes

The March-April period affords the poultry farmer an opportunity to prepare the A ground for sowing greenfeed crops such as oats, barley, rape and lucerne. Brooder houses and rearing quarters should be cleaned out, floors disinfected with a 2% solution of caustic soda (1 lb. caustic soda to five gallons water), and all woodwork and lappings in the house sprayed with creosote. This gives the creosote a chance to soak into the woodwork long before the chickens are received.

Caked Superphosphate

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

Farmers who have experienced difficulties in handling superphosphate which has caked hard during storage may be interested in this method of reconditioning employed by Mr. J. Trott, of Corrigin, and described hereunder.

St. John's Wort - Beetle Parasites Imported

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

Some hundreds of thousands of Chrysomelid beetles, which attack St. John's Wort, were recently forwarded to this State by air freight from the C.S.I.R.O. Division of Entomology, Canberra, and have been liberated at Greenbushes and Forestgrove.

Suppurative Otisis In Pigs, C R. Toop

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

Suppurative otitis, an inflammatory condition involving the deeper structures of the ear, is commonly met with in young pigs. Affected animals show characteristic symptoms the most prominent of which is the abnormal carriage of the head which is constantly held on one side and this may be accompanied by difficulty in maintaining balance and direction.

Black Spot Or Early Blight Of Tomatoes, R F. Doepel

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

Black spot disease is one of the most important limiting factors to tomato production in the Geraldton district of this State. All above ground parts of tomato plants are affected and, under weather conditions favourable to the disease, serious defoliation and reduction of fruit yields are experienced.

The Insect Vector In Relation To Myxomatosis, J A. Button

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

The rabbit is undoubtedly the greatest single pest with which agriculturalists in this country have to contend. It is, therefore, not surprising that any new and promising method of controlling the pest should be greeted with considerable interest. Although a great deal has already been written regarding the myxomatosis virus a brief and co-ordinated summary of the situation as it now exists in Australia, with particular reference to this State, should prove of value as a guide to the wider establishment of the disease next summer.

Here's The Answer

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

Recently we had to dismantle and rebuild a Sunshine harvester main wheel. We managed to complete the job fairly satisfactorily but probably a few hints on the correct procedure would have enabled us to do the work with only a fraction of the expenditure of time and labour. Could you publish any notes that might help?

Plant Disease - Black Rot Of Stocks, R F. Doepel

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

Stocks are easily grown plants deserving of a place in every garden. They are adapted to a wide range of cultural conditions and a colourful show of flowers can be obtained by planting suitable varieties. Black rot is a serious bacterial disease (causal organism Xanthomonas incanae) of these plants and is responsible for heavy losses in some plantings.

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Plant Disease - Crown Gall Of Fruit Trees, W P. Cass Smith

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

Crown gall is a widespread bacterial disease which affects many different plants. It is most frequently noticed on fruit trees particularly pome and stone fruits, but it also attacks grapes, berry plants, and ornamentals, including roses.

Checking Run-Off On Cultivation

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

Perenjori farmer's novel experiment.

Many people passing Mr. S. C. Leonard's property in the Perenjori district have been puzzled by the unusual patterns left on his cultivated paddocks (see right hand photograph). They are the result of an interesting experiment to check runoff.

List Of Stock Foods

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

The following stock foods have been registered with the Department of Agriculture under the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1951, for the year commencing 1st July, 1952

Farm Fencing Hints - Gates And Gadgets, J A. Mallett

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

Apart from the fact that they add immeasurably to the appearance of a property, good gates are permanent assets—sound investments which pay generous dividends over the years, both in peace of mind and in the saving of many man-hours of valuable time.

Seasonal Reminders

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

Now that the plant is fully grown and leaves are maturing, growers should be on the way towards commencement of harvesting and curing. These operations can seriously reduce the value of a good crop if handled carelessly. If you have an even crop and are using inexperienced labour, it is possible to go around the crop the day before harvest and say how many leaves are to be picked from each plant. There may be from two to five. In an uneven crop this is impossible.

Water Erosion Control - 5 - Contour Working Increases Effective Rainfall, B A'B Marsh

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

working holds rainwater where it falls; as a result erosion is reduced, and the effectiveness of rainfall is increased. Contour working is the working of the land in such a way that a large proportion of the furrows are fairly close to the contour. In short, furrows are level and will hold water.