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Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Berry Poison (Gastrolobium Parvifolium Benth.) Spike Poison (Gastrolobium Glaucum C.A. Gardn.) Hook-Point Poison (Gastrolobium Hamulosum Meissn.) Scale-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Appressum C.A. Gardn.), T E H Aplin

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

This article deals with four species which, apart from spike poison, may be distinguished by their small leaf size. Scale-leaf poison is found in the Irwin district, and the other three are present in the Avon district.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Champion Bay Poison (G. Oxylobioides Benth.), Sandplain Poison (G. Microcarpum Meissn.), Cluster Poison (G. Bennettsianum C.A. Gardn.), Hutt River Poison (G. Propinquum C.A. Gardn.), Gilbernine Poison (G. Rotundifolium Meissn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with five species of the genus Gastrolobium. The plants look rather similar so in the past have often been confused. They occur over a considerable area of the agricultural region of Western Australia.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Net-Leaf Poison (O. Racemosum (Turcz.) C.A. Gardn.), Brother-Brother (O. Tetragonophyllum E. Pritzel), Rigid-Leaf Poison (O. Rigidum C.A. Gardn.), Slender Poison (O. Heterophyllum (Turcz.) Benth.), Round-Leaf Poison (G. Pycnostachyum Benth.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with five toxic species, all of which are found in the Eyre district of the South-Western region of Western Australia.

Cyanogenetic Plants Of Western Australia, T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with the more important cyanogenetic plants found in Western Australia.

It also deals with plants which have not been proved as cyanogenetic but which do produce toxic effects similar to those produced by cyanogenetic plants.

Symptoms, post mortem appearances and the treatment for affected stock are also dealt with.

West Midlands Development : Poison Plants In The West Midlands, T E H Aplin

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

TOXIC plants have caused considerable economic loss to stock raisers since the early days of settlement in Western Australia.

Although much is now known of the toxic materials contained in such plants, and although most of the plants have been thoroughly publicised, losses are still occurring in many areas.

Amsinckia Or Yellow Burr-Weed (Amsinckia Spp.), G R W Meadly

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

YELLOW BURR-WEED is widely established in the Wimmera and Mallee districts in Victoria, presumably introduced with fodder brought to this country from the United States about 1914.

It is a problem in Oregon and other north west wheat areas of America.

The weed is also widespread in New South Wales, being most troublesome in the wheat-growing sections of the Riverina. It is not established to the same extent in South Australia and Queensland.

The recent discovery of areas infested with yellow burr-weed at Merredin prompted the Agriculture Protection Board to declare it a primary noxious weed for Western Australia.

Common Heliotrope : (Heliotropum Europaeum L.), G R W Meadly

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

THE Borage family, to which common heliotrope belongs, includes several other plants which are troublesome weeds in Australia.

Patersons curse is widespread in several States, yellow burr-weed is a problem in wheat growing areas, particularly in Victoria, and corn gromwell also causes concern to some wheat farmers.

Heart-Leaf Poison, River Poison, Stirling Range Poison, T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with heart-leaf poison, river poison and Stirling Range poison, all more or less restricted to the lower South-Western Region of Western Australia.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : Crinkle-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Villosum Benth.), Runner Poison (G. Ovalifolium Henfr.), Horned Poison And Hill River Poison (G. Polystachyum Meissn.), Woolly Poison (G. Tomentosum C.A. Gardn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with four toxic species of the genus Gastrolobium which are superficially similar to one other.

Two of these species are prostrate in habit; the other two are more upright but are generally short in stature.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium. 1. Characteristics Of The Group, T E H Aplin

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

THE toxic species of the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium are a unique group of poison plants which have caused considerable economic loss to stock-raisers in Western Australia ever since the early days of settlement.

These plants are widely distributed over the agricultural areas of the south-west, and, with the opening up of large tracts of land for stock-raising, the danger is as high as it has even been.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Rock Poison (Gastrobolium Callistachys Meissn.), T E H Aplin

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

ROCK POISON, so called because it is commonly found on granitic soils, usually among granite rocks, occurs from the Irwin River, southwards to the Dale River and eastwards to Mount Stirling, south of Kellerberrin.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : York Road Poison And Box Poison, T E H Aplin

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

YORK ROAD poison and box poison are two of the most important members of the group of poison plants belonging to the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium—the toxic pea-flowered plants.

Stinkwort (Inula Graveolens Desf.), G R W Meadly

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

THE original home of stinkwort is the Mediterranean region, including northern France. Apparently the first Australian record was at Onkaparinga in South Australia about 90 years ago.

Efforts were made to keep it in bounds during the years immediately following introduction, but it continued to spread and is now f i r m ly established in all agricultural districts of South Australia.

It also covers large tracts of land in New South Wales and Victoria and occurs in most districts of Western Australia.

Robinia : The False Acacia, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

ROBINIA, the false acacia, is a tree up to 60 feet high, and is native to the eastern United States.

There it develops a trunk 3 or 4 feet in diameter and produces a hard close grained and durable timber.

In America it is known as black locust or simply as locust.

One Shot Baiting, C D. Gooding, L. A. Harrison

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

THE Agriculture Protection Board introduced the first of its contract poisoning schemes in 1955 in the lower South-West when three units undertook the first "1080" poisoning for farmers in Western Australia.

The originators of one-shot baiting describe this new technique and explain how it should be used for best results on the farm.

Horse Problems In The Kimberleys, M R. Gardiner

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

A review of current horse disease and ill-thrift problems in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, with emphasis on the "Kimberley horse disease".

DISEASES and other conditions affecting the health and working capacity of the horse have long had an important bearing on the economy of the cattle and sheep industries of the northern part of Western Australia.

Under present conditions it is impossible to muster stock on the large pastoral leases in the Kimberley districts without the aid of horses, and many other operations would be more difficult if stockmen were denied their services.

Vermin Control This Month, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE effects of the very wet winter are no longer being felt in vermin control activities in most of Western Australia and they have returned to normal.

Poison Plant Problems, T E H Aplin

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

A POISON plant may be defined as a plant which, when eaten by humans or animals, exerts harmful effects or causes death by virtue of its toxic substances.

Recent Advances In Lupinosis Research, M R. Gardiner

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

BECAUSE of the important role which lupins play in light land development, flock losses from the effects of lupinosis must inevitably continue to be a matter of serious concern.

However, research carried out during the last four years has considerably advanced our knowledge of the fundamental nature of this disease and of the way in which it may be prevented or controlled.

Vermin Control This Month, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Vermin control activities need to continue to avoid a build up later in the year.

Bracken Fern Poisoning In Cattle, P B. Lewis

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

ONE of the major problems facing farmers in the South-West of Western Australia is the hazard of bracken fern poisoning.

Water For Agriculture. 5. Salt Poisoning In Livestock, J Craig

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

LIVESTOCK need a plentiful supply of good, fresh drinking water for normal health and high production.

Over large areas of Western Australia the water from bores, springs and wells contains varying but appreciable amounts of salt and special care may be needed to ensure that the stock water supply is satisfactory.

Now Is The Time To Poison Emus, John L. Long

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

The best time to poison emus is during the winter, from May to August.

Once natural grasses and the crops start coming to head in August-September, the chances of a successful poisoning are not good.

Oxalate Poisoning. 1. The Effect Of Oxalate-Containing Plants On Ruminants, M R. Gardiner

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

Poisoning by plants which contain salts of oxalic acid may be a more common cause of stock losses in Western Australia than was previously thought.

This article describes the effects of these plants on ruminants and outlines an experiment in which the toxicity of soursob was examined.

An article in next month's Journal of Agriculture will describe the most important oxalate-containing plants found in Western Australia.

Chemical Poisoning In Animals. 4. Phosphorus, H D. Seddon

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

WHITE OR YELLOW PHOSPHORUS was at one time widely used in poison baits for crows, rats, foxes and rabbits.

Although it has now been largely replaced, it is still an important cause of accidental death by poisoning.

Chemical Poisoning In Animals. 3. Prussic Acid, H D. Seddon

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

HYDROCYANIC or prussic acid poisoning is a serious and not uncommon ailment of ruminants, and may be a cause of rapid death when pasture plants capable of developing dangerous levels of the poison are being grazed.

Chemical Poisoning In Animals. 2. Lead, H D. Seddon

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

LEAD is the most frequent cause of poisoning in farm animals, especially of cattle.

All animals and man are susceptible to large doses, but small repeated doses may accumulate to toxic proportions in the body.

Cattle and sheep are more susceptible to poisoning and are more likely to have access to sources of lead.

Free Feeding For The Control Of Rabbits, C Marshall

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

IN common with most other farm work, the control of rabbits calls for a high degree of skill, patience and perseverance.

There is no short cut to success, and if results are required we must be prepared to give of our best.

Failures of control works are experienced at various times, and the reasons can generally be traced back to something we have failed to do or some short cut we have tried to take.

However, we should not lose heart from one failure. During normal farming procedure, if a farmer's crop fails he does not give up planting in …

A Survey Of The Incidence Of Lupinosis In Sheep In The Dandaragan District In 1959, H G. Neil, W. J. Toms, C. M. Ralph

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

FOLLOWING widespread losses of sheep grazing on dry lupins, a survey of flockowners' experience with the disease was made by the Department of Agriculture in one of the districts most affected.

The idea of a survey originated from discussions with the President, Mr. K. E. Jones, and several other members of the Dandaragan Pasture Improvement Group.

The information obtained from the survey has provided a valuable factual basis for the design of laboratory and field experiments.

A Successful Campaign Against The Euro, E H M Ealey, T. M. Richardson

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

RESULTS from a five-year research programme carried out by the C.S.I.R.O. on the Abydos-Woodstock Pastoral Research Station indicated that euros could be controlled in a practical and economic way by the traditional method of water poisoning,

if it was continued for an extended period and carried out over a large area. Smallscale trials supported this claim, but no opportunity had occurred to assess the practicability of a large-scale poisoning operation.