Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Put Garden Rubbish To Work In A Compost Heap, W Dawson

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

THERE'S a surprising amount of mumbo jumbo written about the simple compost heap. By the time you've waded through all the instructions, you feel as if you ought to have prerequisites of a doctorate in soil chemistry or an unbroken ancestry of at least three generations of professional English gardeners.

Treating Severe Saltland, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE illustration shows a large area of severely salt affected land near Narembeen.

Before treatment, sheep had access to the area and in summer broke the topsoil into a fine powder which lifted to form dust storms with every good breeze.

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.

Grade Herd Recording, 1963-64, Maurice C. Cullity

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

A review of Grade Herd Recording during the 1963-64 season.

THERE was a substantial increase in the number of cows which were recorded in 1963-64 compared with 1962-63 (23,520 and 22,635 respectively).

This season's figure represents 20.4 per cent, of all cows in the dairying districts.

The number of cows which completed lactation and therefore whose yields were included in the averages, rose from 17,258 to 19,011.

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.

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.

Soil Conservation : Contour Banks Must Be Maintained, D J. Carder, G. W. Spencer

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

The wet winter of 1963 showed up faults in many contour bank systems and emphasised that banks won't last forever without maintenance.

This article tells where to look for weaknesses and how to treat them.

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.

Soil Conservation : Build Contour Banks With A Disc Plough, G W. Spencer, D. J. Carder

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

Heavy earthmoving machinery is not necessary for contouring; most farmers are already equipped to do the job themselves.

This article by soil conservation advisers G. W. Spencer and D. J. Carder tells how to build contour banks with a disc plough.

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.

Dairy Farming In The Busselton-Margaret River District. Part 1. Stage Of Development, R A. Bettenay

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

This article is the first of four in a series reporting a survey of farming practices in the Busselton-Margaret River area.

Besides the development of farms the series will cover farm stocking rates and milk production on farms in the area.

THE survey of farms in the Busselton-Margaret River district began at the end of the 1962 season.

Information on the stage of development of the properties was obtained from 94 farmers during advisory visits.

Soil Erosion And Farm Water Supplies, J C. Grasby, J. E. Watson

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

Water supplies for stock have an important influence on farm management.

In this article Soil Conservation Advisers J. C. Grasby and J. E. Watson discuss problems of soil erosion and farm water supplies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Firebreaks Without Erosion : Hints To Prevent Firebreak Erosion, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

AGRICULTURAL fire risks are now greater than they have been in the past and are steadily increasing with the advance of agriculture in Western Australia.

During the past 20 years the area of cleared arable land and the area under crop have more than doubled.

The area of established pasture is four times as great as it was. Pastures and crops are much more productive —and more liable to carry destructive fires than they were.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.