Soil Science Commons^™

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals. 3. Crusting Of The Soil Surface, S C. Chambers

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

In some seasons extensive bare patches occur in cereal crops sown on the heavier wheat belt soils.

Experimental results from Beverley indicate that the poor emergence in some of these plantings may be due to crusting of the soil surface.

Working the surface with light harrows may destroy the crust and improve emergence.

Loss Of Structure In Wheatbelt Soils, T C. Stoneman

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

MANY of the heavy soils of the West Australian wheatbelt have been farmed for 30 or 40 years, and farmers now frequently complain that these soils are becoming more difficult to handle, that greater power is needed to break up the soil, and the time that it remains in a workable condition after rains is shorter.

Care Of Autumn And Winter Tomato Crops, W H. Kooyman

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

I N recent years there has been a considerable increase in plantings of autumn and winter tomatoes in the Perth metropolitan market garden area.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 1. History And Future Prospects, F L. Shier

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

BECAUSE of the scattered distribution of light lands of the agricultural areas of Western Australia among the better soils, and their large total area, it is not surprising that attempts to develop these unattractive soils for agriculture started many years ago.

Good Pasture On A Problem Soil, R Sprivulis

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

The acid peaty sands of the South-West have always been problem soils, and are often considered useless.

But, by following recommended establishment methods, farmers like Mr. F. E. Bellanger, of Nornalup, have shown that it can carry valuable pasture.

Orchard Drainage, R G. Cahill

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

UNDERGROUND drainage of orchard land is an essential feature of fruitgrowing which is overlooked by many orchardists.

Soils should be adequately drained to cope with all winter rains.

Natural Paddocks Help Soil Conservation, G W. Spencer

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

ON most farms, particularly in the cereal and sheep districts, the paddocks as we know them are fenced off into neat squares or rectangles.

The original fencing was done in such a way that the paddock layout, as well as the fences, completely disregards the topography or natural features of the land. Often this has encouraged soil erosion.

In properly laid out paddocks there should be a very close relationship between the natural features of the farm, the fence plan, and soil conservation.

Copper Minerals For Fertilizer Use, R N. Glencross

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

COPPER fertilizers have an important role in maintaining: and increasing Western Australia's agricultural production.

On many soils they are essential for cereal growing or pasture production and persistence and for animal health and wool quality.

They are also sometimes used for fruit trees, vines, and vegetables.

Establishing Saltland Pastures, C V. Malcolm

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

WITH the approach of winter, thoughts are turning to the seeding season. It will therefore be appropriate to discuss methods of establishing saltland pastures.

This discussion will be restricted to "bluebush," creeping saltbush, and old man saltbush. Seed of these plants is available from local stock firms.

Potassium Deficiency In Medium Rainfall Areas, William John Toms

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

IT is well known that potassic fertilisers must be used for the successful growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on many soils in the higher rainfall districts of Western Australia.

Recent investigations have shown that some soils in medium rainfall districts are also too low in potassium to grow healthy subterranean clover pastures.

Healthy Pastures, F E. Ryan

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

IN sweeping away forests to make room for pastures we have taken on the responsibility of maintaining these areas in a condition suitable for the growth of pasture plants.

This is done by a choice of suitable species, fertilising, cultivating, drainage, control of grazing and by weed and insect control.

The Use Of Lime In Market Gardens, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE term "lime" when used in relation to agriculture means any calcium containing material that is capable of correcting soil acidity.

While generally used for this purpose, lime has many other equally important functions in the soil.

Fallowing And Soil Conservation, J E. Watson

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

Soil Conservationists don't always disapprove of fallowing, says Soil Conservation Service adviser J. E. Watson.

They are prepared to compromise, and accept fallowing as a useful practice where it means better pasture establishment or more effective land reclamation.

Salty Seepages Can Be Productive, C V. Malcolm

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

MUCH has been said and written concerning the use of Paspalum vaginatum for growing on seepage areas, but the general production to be expected from seepage areas has not received much attention.

The fact is that properly handled, seepage areas can be quite productive, and can be valuable for summer grazing.

Manage Your Rainfall For Maximum Production, J E. Watson

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

TTOW much would an extra inch of rainfall be worth to you? Much sloping land loses this much and more by run-off every year.

The soil is the main asset of your farm, but your profits depend on how you manage the rain which falls on it.

Reclaiming Salt Land With Bluebush, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

IN Western Australia there are approximately a million acres of salt land, some of which is a serious economic problem to individual farmers, unfortunate enough to have the major portion of their properties affected by salt encroachment.

A Useful Farm-Made Roller, V E. Western

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

A very serviceable compacting roller can be constructed at little expense by using discarded truck tyres.

The roller described here has an overall width of 5 ft. 3 in. and carries seven 9.00 x 24 semi-trailer tyres which had been discarded when the treads were worn smooth.

The Development Of Western Australian Sand Plain Soils For Agriculture, Richard Philip Roberts, F. L. Shier

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

IN a recently published economic survey of the Australian wheat growing industry, it was reported that nearly two-thirds of the farms surveyed in Western Australia were located on lateritic "sand plain."

As a random selection was made of the eighty farms that were visited it is reasonable to conclude that a similar proportion of all the State's wheat producing farms are on that type of country.

This constitutes a remarkable change from the earlier days of wheat belt settlement when the sand plain soils were regarded as virtually useless and by-passed for development.

It is the purpose of this article …

Soil Conservation In The Kimberley Area Of Western Australia, K Fitzgerald

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

OFFICERS of the Soil Conservation Branch of the West Australian Department of Agriculture, have not been engaged in soil conservation work in the Kimberleys prior to this year, not because a serious erosion problem did not exist, but rather because with limited trained staff available they were too fully occupied elsewhere.

The recent arrival of a senior Soil Conservation Officer in the area to assist and plan an approach to the problem of soil erosion in the Ord River catchment area is therefore very welcome.

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.

Granular Fertiliser, C R. Hale

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

There is general agreement that granulation of fertilisers improves their physical characteristics with respect to handling, storage and distribution in the field. These physical advantages rather tan any established agronomic reason appear to be responsible for the increasing use of granular fertiliser.

Heavy Rains Show Need For Soil Conservation Practices, G H. Burvill

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

Autumn 1953 will stand out in the weather records for the widespread heavy rains in the pastoral areas and wheatbelt. The rains which came from the cyclonic storms of March 22-25, totalled five to 12 inches in many pastoral areas and two to seven inches in the Northern and Eastern Wheatbelt. The steady rain soaked the land, but where the falls were heaviest, runoff to lower parts caused flooding and local inconvenience. All in all, it was a very welcome rain, especially where the previous winter had been dry. In the wheatbelt, ploughing and cultivation were soon in full swing …

The Soil Our Basic Asset, J E. Watson

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

Contour furrows increase pasture growth

Good pastures on steep slopes will give profitable returns from grazing, and will also reduce erosion risks. Water needed for pasture growth on such slopes must not be allowed to run off and erode lower slopes. The use of contour furrows is a readily applied erosion control measure which can be very effective in increasing the amount of water held and absorbed on steep slopes.

Wind Erosion Control—I, D J. Fleay

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

Desserts have been formed in some parts of the world by the action of wind on once productive soils. This could happen to the light land areas of Western Australia if we do not profit by the lessons of the past and manage these soils with great care.

The Regeneration And Maintenance Of Wimmera Ryegrass Pastures Under Saline Soil Condition, F L. Shier

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

Over the past ten years, Wimmera ryegrass pastures at the Salmon Gums Re- VJ search Station have been improved and maintained by periodic cultivation of the soil even without applications of superphosphate. On heavy crab-holey soil affected by high salt content and unsatisfactory for wheat growing, cultivation treatments have produced remarkably uniform stands of Wimmera ryegrass as shown in the accompanying pictures. The bare patches due to salt, have been largely eliminated. If the interval between cultivations is more than three years Wimmera pastures deteriorate badly.

Soil Conservation Service - Basis Of Co-Operation, G H. Burvill

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

The Soil Conservation Service has been established as provided in the Soil Conservation Act, 1945. To carry out its objectives will require the co-operation with it of individual farmers and landholders. The policy of the Service is therefore to encourage farmers to help themselves, and particularly to encourage them to recognise the need for soil conservation methods and for soil erosion control in the early stages. More particularly, the Service aims to provide, through its trained staff, technical asistance in the way of agricultural advice, research, conservation, planning, layouts and surveys. As indicated below, under the heading "Charges for Soil …

Soil-Saving Schools

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

Save the soil for your sons and grandsons," or "Every farmer his own soil conservationist" might well serve as slogans for the recently-inaugurated farmers' schools organised in this State by the Soil Conservation Service. Judging by the enthusiasm shown by pupils at the first two schools, held in August last, this highly practical approach to an important subject seems destined to usher in an entirely new conception of soil conservation work as it affects the individual land-owner.

The Hose U-Tube Level, J P. Fallon

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

With the growing use of soil conservation practices throughout the farming areas, there has been an increasing demand for a simple levelling device that will enable farmers to take their own levels. When they have become familiar with the use of pasture furrows, contour banks and the various other mechanical erosion control measures, farmers with the aid of such an instrument would be able to make an immediate start on an erosion control programme. The instrument would also prove useful for numerous small jobs around the farm when accurate levels are required. Tests have shown the "Hose U-Tube Level" here …

Soil Conservation Farming. List Of Farmers Who Are Using Contour Practices

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

A list of farmers known to be using contour practices for soil conservation, is printed at the end of this note. It will enable other interested farmers to find and see something of such methods. Now is considered an appropriate time to publish this list as many farmers will shortly be travelling through the countryside to agricultural shows and field days.

Dams On The Hillsides

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

A reader of the "Journal of Agriculture" recently wrote to the Commissioner of Soil Conservation concerning the current tendency towards sinking dams on hillsides. He stated that many farmers and contractors were throwing up holding banks in such a manner that a large percentage of the water impounded was lost by seepage under the banks.