Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Opposed Disc Plough Furrows Hard Kimberley Soils, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE work of reclaiming the eroded areas of the Ord River catchment has posed special problems for field staff of the Department of Agriculture engaged on this large scale project.

Thousands of miles of furrows must be contour-ploughed and seeded in extremely hard ground over big areas of eroded country.

Migratory Movements Of Emus And Control Efforts, John L. Long, T. J. Tozer

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

ALTHOUGH little data has been recorded on movements or migrations of the Emu (Dromaius novea-hollandiae), it is well known throughout the farming community that some such movement occurs in September and October in most years at least.

Modern Methods Boost Apple Production In A South-West Orchard, N H. Shorter

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

A WELL-KNOWN South-West apple orchard with an impressive cropping record is owned by W. F. & E. M. Dilley and Sons, of Upper Capel, near Donnybrook.

Trees in this orchard have been producing consistently heavy crops for many years and, furthermore, yields have increased steadily over a 10-year period.

Soil Erosion By Water In W.A. Cropland : A Serious And Widespread Problem, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Much wheatbelt agriculture is based on thin topsoils which are inherently infertile by world standards. Erosion even to the depth of cultivation will cause the loss of:—

• most of the original topsoil

• the phosphate build up from years of "super" applications

• any accumulation of organic matter and humus.

Salt Land Survey, 1962 : Report Of A Survey Of Soil Salinity In The Agricultural Areas Of Western Australia, L C. Lightfoot, S. T. Smith, C. V. Malcolm

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

IN Western Australia there are within the agricultural areas about one million acres of salt land, largely within the 14-25 inch rainfall area used for cereal and wool production.

In March, 1962, farmers in 68 shires in the agricultural areas of Western Australia estimated that on their properties 305,270 acres of land previously cropped or sown to pasture had become salt affected. Of this total, 59,203 acres had gone salt in the seven years immediately before the survey.

Agriculture In The Lakes District : Report Of A Survey Of Farm Practices, A W. Hogstrom

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

At the request of the Central South Zone Development Committee a survey which covered 58 farms in the Lakes District was carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture. Field work for the survey started in 1961.

The Lakes District supports about 70 holdings adjoining a chain of salt lakes to the east of Newdegate and Hyden but west of the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence.

The chain of lakes is about 70 miles long running in a N.N.W. to S.S.E. direction. The lakes are O'Connor, Carmody, Hurlstone, Varley, Gulson, Fox, Camm, King, and Pal lamp.

Set Stocking Has A Place In Soil Conservation Farming, J E. Watson

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

Set stocking of sheep at increased stocking rates is rapidly becoming popular with farmers in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

But will set stocking increase soil erosion hazards? It should do just the reverse, according to Soil Conservation Adviser J. E. Watson, B.Sc, who claims that set stocking has a place in soil conservation farming.

Crossings For Channels And Drains In The Ord River Area, K S. Cole

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

ON farms irrigated by surface methods it is essential to provide crossings over channels and drains.

These crossings must be wide and strong enough to take the biggest farm machinery.

Planning New Farm Dams : Excavated Earth Tanks, J E. Watson, J. C. Grasby

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

A GOOD farm dam is a valuable asset, and well worth its cost, but there are many aspects to consider when a new dam is required. Careful planning with adequate testing and checking will help to get the best value for money and reduce the chance of costly failures.

This article discusses these aspects in relation to the excavated earth tank type of dam.

Fisheries Report Ii (2) - Preliminary Report On The Effectiveness Of Escape-Gaps In Crayfish-Pots, B. K. Bowen

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Australian commercial crayfish, Panulinrus cy,nus George, (1962)", is caught in depths ranging from a few feet to approximately 45 fathoms. In the shallow waters large numbers of crayfish measuring, less than the legal minimum length are brought to the surface in the standard commercial crayfish pots. The law requires that these undersize crayfish be returned to the sea, but there is always the temptation to retain them for illegal sale. In addition, the undersize crayfish which are returned to the sea are often damaged by handling. The probability is that their mortality rate is higher than those which …

Saltland Notes : Don't Put Sheep In Yet, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

If you have sown bluebush or saltbush this year, keep the sheep out.

Land Preparation For Border Irrigation, B Swan

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

LARGE amounts of water may be lost through excess run-off and deep percolation.

Proper preparation of irrigation land can help to minimise these losses.

This preparation is done by grading or levelling so that the original ground surface is shaped to allow for a more uniform distribution of water.

Progress In The Control Of Cotton Fireweed, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Cotton Fireweed (Erechtites quadridentata) is native to Western Australia and was first collected by Drummond before 1850. In its natural habitat it is quite insignificant and passes unnoticed.

Cotton fireweed, a native perennial plant, has become a serious weed in the south coastal districts and is now one of the most widespread weeds in the State.

Beef Cattle In Western Australia : A Survey, W J O Wilkie

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

B EEF CATTLE numbers have increased in Western Australia year by year for the past eight years, and there have been some dramatic changes in the industry.

Swing Fence Flood Crossing For Creeks In The Kimberleys, A L. Payne

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

FENCING is the basis of the regeneration programme on the eroded Ord River catchment area, and the fences constructed must cross numerous creeks.

But heavy downpours of short duration characterise the wet season experienced in this area.

Because the rain falls on to bare, compacted ground, run-off is intense and gullies and creeks rise rapidly, causing serious damage to conventional fences and flood gates across watercourses.

Profitable Returns From Saltland, C V. Malcolm

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

The recent saltland survey disclosed that about 305,000 acres of land previously cleared and sown had become salt affected.

This represents a serious loss in production but is offset by the fact that much of the land is capable of producing high yields of good quality fodder.

Grade Herd Recording : 1962-63, Maurice C. Cullity

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

A poor season coupled with a 16 per cent, increase in the number of cows tested during 1962-63 led to a drop in the average yields of cows in the Grade Herd Recording Scheme.

Hints On Irrigating Citrus With Saline Water, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

IN the past few years a number of citrus orchards near Perth have shown signs of damage caused by excess "salt" (chloride) uptake. All have been irrigated either from the Canning River or from private bores or dams.

Senior Soil Research Officer S. T. Smith describes glasshouse experiments which have given some useful guides to minimising "salt" damage in citrus trees irrigated with low-quality water.

The Quality Of Groundwaters In The Central Wheatbelt Of W.A, Eric Bettenay, F. J. Hingston

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

IN south-western Australia permanent rivers are virtually absent and the larger drainage systems such as the Swan-Avon, Murray and Blackwood, which have their headwaters in inland low rainfall areas, are generally saline.

The F.A.Q. Standard For 1962-63, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE term f.a.q. refers to "fair average quality" as a standard for the sale of wheat -*- produced in Western Australia during any particular season.

The practice of using this standard developed after a standard sample of wheat grown in 1904 was obtained and declared to have a bushel weight of 62 lb.

Cultivate Saltland And Protect It From Grazing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Cultivate and protect to reclaim

A Review Of Agriculture On The Esperance Downs, J L. Shier, T. C. Dunne, E. N. Fitzpatrick

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

Esperance is approaching a period of rapid development based on the results of research at Esperance Downs Research Station and on farmers' properties in the area.

This article reviews the soils, vegetation, climate, agricultural development and development costs of the area.

A Practical Guide To Building Contour Banks With A Road Grader, J E. Watson

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

THOUSANDS of miles of contour banks have been built in Western Australia, and most of this earthmoving has been done by tractor and disc plough* or by road grader.

This article describes the technique recommended for bank construction with the road grader.

Agriculture In Western Australia. 2. A Preview Of Future Development, A W. Hogstrom

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

THE agricultural areas of Western Australia produce most of the State's agricultural output.

Only isolated small areas of arable agriculture exist in the North- West and tropical areas of the State.

Farm Dams In The Wheatbelt, J E. Watson

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

MANY new farm dams are sunk each year in the wheatbelt and much money is spent on them.

With continued development of new land, and increasing stock carrying capacity of older land under legume pastures, the need for more water supplies will continue for a long time.

A Progress Report On Commercial Cotton Growing On The Ord River Project, William John Toms

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

The recommendations given in this article have been built up from the experience of the author in growing 200 acres of cotton in the Ord River area during the 1962-63 season for the Department of Agriculture, from findings made by Kimberley Research Station, and from discussions with the present farmers in the area.

When a new form of agriculture is introduced into a new area techniques and ideas change rapidly as farmers become acquainted with their new environment and the new crops. The recommendations will therefore require constant revision.

Water For Agriculture. 6. Control Of Algae In Water Supplies, R C. Gorman

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

ALGAE are primitive forms of plant life that are common and normal in surface waters. They are fonnd in every water supply exposed to sunlight.

Their presence is not normally detectable until there are enough of them to make their presence obvious.

Control Of Copper, Zinc And Manganese Deficiencies In Fruit Trees, N J. Halse

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

THE three elements copper, zinc and manganese are plant nutrients of the type often referred to as minor or trace elements.

Although essential elements for plant growth, they are required in comparatively small quantities.

Farm Water Storage : Circular Brick Reservoirs, R P. Harington

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

A circular brick tank is a cheap and efficient water storage which can be easily built on any farm. The method described below by Kimberley Research Station manager R. P. Harington was used to build a swimming pool—storage on the station.

Select On Fleece Weight And Cull The Low Producers, W L. Mcgarry

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

EFFICIENT calling of maiden ewes before they join the breeding flock is an essential part of any policy of flock improvement.

Removal of the low wool producers should be one of the first considerations when culling the flock.