!3S3 !A2l ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New York State Colleges OF Agriculture and Home Economics AT Cornell University Cornell University Library S 383.A21 Report on the condition of growing crops 3 1924 001 008 568 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001008568 Department of Agriculture. Nt'sfWales. I|eport oij the Conditioij of Growing Crops. OCTOBER, 1892. As far as the rainfall ia eoncerned, there ought to be a grand season ahead for New South Wales. No doubt some parts could do with some more, and others would have liked less ; but, generally speaking, there is much to be thankful for. The late general rainfall, reported for the month of October, came across the Continent from Port Darwin, entering this Colony from the north, distributed rain over every district from the western plains to the coast, and from the Queensland border to that of Victoria. Maize. . The reports now to hand from Department's correspondents show, however, that early maize suffered considerably from excessive wet in the coastal counties, which in some instances completely destroyed it, thus'necessitating fresh seed being put in, the late sowing also being delayed for the same reason, the farmers not being able to get on to the land. Taking 100 as representing a full crop, compared with the month of September, the condition of the maize that survived the heavy rains is .now reported as 87 points, against 91 of the previous record, ftom the table-lands, how-- ever, the report is quoted at 93 points. Wheat. The condition of wheat generally may be quoted as follows : — Coast, 87 ; table-lands, 92 ; and western slopes, 93 points. Quoting from the reports of our correspondents, the wheat crop, as a whole, is looking remarkably well, and certainly promises an. abundant crop. With the exception of a few counties, principally in the coast districts, rust is not generally reported. " Take-all " has, however, been noticed in a few patches in the Counties Bourke and Clarendon. The following are extracts from the reports to hand : — Counties King and Murray, Mr. J. F. Turner reports :— " The wheat crop is doing hplendid." Trom Urana, Mr. Brett reports : " The crops all through the districts are looking very well, no sign of rust up to date; every prospect of a good harvest." Prom county Goulburn, Mr. Bruce reports : " The general appear- ance of the crops growing would lead me to suppose that the yields will be particularly good this year." Trom Beresford, Mr. Hudson reports : " The late rains, which have been general, have very considerably improved the prospects of grain crops." From county Nicholson, Mr. W. B. Doyle states : " Wheat crop, which is the only crop growing in quantity, is wonderfully 2 Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. improved since last report." Prom couirty "Wellesley, Mr. Hungerford reports : "The crops of wheat, oats, and barley, are in almost perfect condi- tion." From Bathurst county, Mr. T. 0. Worboys states: "The wheat crops are looking splendid." Mr. E. Kirkpatrick, for counties Qourallie, Murchison, Stapylton, and Arrawatta, reports : " Crops of all kinds look remarkably well." Mr. Charles Lyne reports for "Wynyard : " The crops in this county look excellently well!" For county Mitchell: "This is an excellent season for wheat, and all crops are looking well." For county Clarendon : " Patches of ' take all ' are to be observed in some fields of wheat ; the majority of crops are looking excellent." Mr. Alford reports for county Durham : " The season promises to be the best known for years." Mr. Dowling, f or 'Ashburnham : " The crops generally are the best we have had for some time, but should the present weather continue rust will be ba'd." Mr. St. Clair, for county Clive, reports: "There has been a good deal of rain during the last month, accompanied by warm weather, which has had the tendency to make the grain crops grow rather rank." Mr. May- Steers, for county Growen ; " This is, without exception, the best season we have had for years." Mr. Madden, for cdunty Harden, reports : " There is every prospect of quitea phenomenal season in this district." Mr. Mathews, for another part of the same county, reports : " Wheat crops promise an abundant harvest." From county Bland, Mr. Greo. C. Long reports : "Wheat at present looks splendid;" and Mr. W. L. King: "There has been an excessive rainfall this month ; this may afEect the crops later on, but so far the outlook is very promising." From county Monteagle, Mr. H. Webb reports : " The wheat crops look well at present, but if the heavy rains we have had of late continue to fall there is danger of rust." From county Buckland, Mr. John Miller reports : " There is as yet, however, no appearance of rust, which is rather an exceptional fact under such climatic influences." An exception to above reports comes from the county of Inglis, where Mr. David J. Hall states : " There is a decrease in J;he wheat crop of fully 50 per cent, since last month, owing to the very severe hail storms. Tip to within a week ago the wheat crops were in a perfect condition. Such a general haU storm has never been experienced in this county." Mr. William Quick reports for the same county: '•' The heavy rain of 24th — 25th Septem- ber, followed by storms of wind and rain on the 2nd, 10th, and 13th of October, has caused great damage to the early wheat where it was heavy, but the light crops have not suffered much." Mr. Henry Single for County Wellington reports : " The wheat crops throughout the district of Mudgee, and I have travelled over a good portion of it lately, will be very prolific if the rust keeps away. For County Phillip, Mr. Wm. Kemp reports : " There is a fear of too much moisture and consequent rust " ; and Mr. Morrissey for the same county reports : " Owing to the recent rains this section (Parishes Bayley and Cooyal) of the Mudgee District presents a most luxuriant and promising appearance— wheat, oats, and barley are ina most healthy condition, and I am pleased to state that, up to the present, there is no indication of rust or any other pernicious disease amongst the crops." These present highly favourable returns should however not be taken as insuring a large crop, as blight, rust, and insect enemies may yet prove destructive, but it does indicate comparative exemption up to the present, and tells of a strong vigorous growth which will enable the plant to endure better than usual any future unfavourable conditions. Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Sugar-cane. The condition of sugar-cane has fallen off one point during the past mouth and is now quoted as 79. Mr. T. Bawden reports for the County of Clarence : " Upon the lower river the ' Blight ' is working great havoc in the twelve months old cane, both plant and ratoons. Some of the present season's planting is growing well. Upon the mid-river the alleged disease has only affected a few isolated plots, which, combined with loss from arrowing and badly drained land, will cause a decrease of about 5 per cent. ' Upon the upper river a considerable quantity of cane has been planted during the nlonth. Cutting has pro- ceeded vigorously and satisfactorily, upwards of 60 tons to the acre being obtained in some instances. The disease reported from the lower river is practically unknown on the upper river, from whence healthy plants for sets are being obtained for the lower river plantations." From the County of Eichmond, he reports : " The ground having become cold (from heavy rains) a considerable area of cane on the low-lying land has been so injured as to need replanting. Disease similar to that reported as existing upon the Clarence has made its appearance in some parts." Prom the County of Eons, the same reporter states : " The sugar-cane is doing well, though, in some places, the vermin do it much damage. Near the banks of the river, the cane is r'eported to be affected similarly to that on the Lower Clarence. The cane grown on the high lands is. reported to be comparatively free from arrowing and other affections. The consequence is that considerable quantities of sets are being obtained from the high lands for planting elsewhere.., The farmers are busy planting cane in some parts, and harvesting the cane in others. The cane that has been cut is, upon the whole, turning out well." Other Cereals. Eye. — The general average for rye stands at 94 points, having fallen 6 points since the previous rejport. Barley. — Compared with last month, the condition stands as follows : — Points. Points. September. — "Western slopes ... 96 October. — Western slopes ... 89 Table-lands ... 88 „ '• Table-lands ..,. ... 86 Coast 85 j, Coast 85 Oats stand as follows : — Western slopes, 92 points ; coast, 89 points ; and table-lands, 86 points. Potatoes. As an indication of probable harvest results, this first return is of com- paratively little value, as all dangers to the crop are to be encountered at a later date ; and as the date is too early for injury from insect attacks, it is natural that the estimate should be high. An exception, however, comes from County Eous, Mr. T. Bawden reports : — " Potatoes are greatly affected by lady-birds, an insect that made its appearance earlier than usual this season. In some places the tubers, from some cause or another-, completely rot away." The late heavy rains that in some places destroyed the early maize, have also proved destructive in some counties to the potatoes recently planted 4 Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Fruit. Grapes. — In almost all districts of the Colony where the grape is cultivated the season is exceptionally favourable for its development ; the condition reported is consequently high, though, as yet, it is too early to form an estimate. From part of County Cumberland " Black Spot " is reported as being on the increase. A very heavy blooni of apricots, peaches, and others was general, but the late heavy rains and high winds damaged, in some instances, the stone fruit as much as 50 per cent. " Curled leaf " prevails to some extent on the Shanghai peach in the County Cumberland. Of citrus fruit very few of the main crop is left, and little or no second crop to be seen. All the citrus family are blooming well, and should exceed last season's crop by a large percentage. Grasses. The season has been quite generally favourable for all grasses, the cool weather and abundant supply of moisture in the greater portion of the Colony being conducive to strong growth. The abundance of good grass which has marked this season in the liye stock and dairy districts should make the year a successful one in these interests, and give all branches of agriculture a share in the abundance which promises to characterise the year. Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Table showing Condition of Crops, October, 1892. 100 representing a perfect crop or condition. " Maize. 1 ^1 1 1 n 1 fti 1 1 Pasture. Hay. o i 1 o Oh i ^ County. ^1 ^1 1 ■a . 1 5 82 94 90 100 100 90 94 80 95 9a 95 100 25 95 25 94 100 75 95 70 97. l66 .88 80 100 100 80 95 ... 100 100 lOO 67 90 95 82 94 80- 75 m 99 87. 75 95 90 95 95 95 8"0 90 •90 99 82 87 93 100 78 100 93 80 95 95 96 92 96 91 90 75 95 95 98 100 90 l66 90 91 94 90 92 75 87 95 94 100 100 70 100 90 100 70 90 98 95 92 85 94 97 78 95 94 85 81 100 77 85 97 95 85 95 95 100 100 100 100 82 82 91 100 86 79 74 95 70 85 75 80 60 100 65' 75 85 95 82 90 75 100 98 100 75 87 92 75 100 95 70 94 100 92 71 100 88 90 75 100 91 100 85 85 90 100 90 95 100 97 100 87 95 100 90 98 83 95 100 75 95 90 90 85 100 85 90 95 90 95 90 83 85 100 100 100 80 86 85 90 90 75 94 95 100 90 97 100 88 100 95 95 90 100 95 10b 9b 100 76 100 85 85 100 100 95 90 100 91 86 72 95 100 85 100 IGO 100 100 91 100 99 100 68 100 95 95 l66 100 100 90 100 100 100 ICO 82 95 100 80 97 97 93 98 81 90 80 88 95 85 85 98' 75 95 70 94 95 100 80 40 100 82 94 82 95 80 90 75 96 90 95 92 95 90 95 95 90 90 90 85 95 100 80 86 85 ICO 90 95 85 75 90 95 91 91 ... 100 97 91 90 83 100 75 81 90 95 90 70 50 92 100 82 92 82 95 65 98 75 86. 90 95 •70 75 94 100. 85 100 81 90 87 90 92 80 80 100 100 80 100 96 100 100 88 60 70 90 ICO 80 89 95 93 95 80 94 Arrawatta ... Ashburnliam Auckland ... f^^aradine Batburst fieresford . . . Bland Bligh Bonrke Boyd Brisbane Puccleuch ... /Auckland .. Buller Burnett Cadell 85 100 95 100 88 Caira Camden Canbelego . . . Clarence Clarendon ... Clarke •CliTc i66 97 90 100 Clyde Cook 100 -Cowley Cumberland .. Cunningham.. Jampier Darling Jenham Jenison iowling Drake IDudley Durham Bwenmar ... gitzroy Plinders Forbes 100 Borgiana ... ^P= ■•; fHouoester .... Gordon I^ough 100 91 100 &oulburn „. Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Table showing ConJitioa of Crops, October, 1892 — continued. 100 representing a perfect crop or condition. Maize. > 99 ... 100 100 ... 100 100 i66 ... ... ... Hunter 100 96 100 95 100 90 100 ... 100 Inglis ..., 90 ... 6? 85 68 96 35 77 92 95 85 60 90 81 75 Jamison Kennedy' ... ... ... • •« King ... 80 ... 41 66 ... 105 90 100 100 ... ... ... 50 Leichhardt . . . ... ... .'. ... ... ... Lincoln ... ... ,.. ... ... ... ... ... Macquarie ... 95 80 90 87 88 90 90 91 95 85 82 85 85 90 MitclieU ■ ■• 95 80 100 100 100 ... 90 100 Monteagle ... 85 ...' 100 92 100 80 97 93 100 100 100 98 100 100 ilOO Murchison ... 94 • •• 99 95 94 97 85 90 94 100 100 98 95 91 82 100 ... Murray 80 41 66 105 90 100 100 50 Ifandewar . . . ... ., Napier 75 100 100 50 95 100 . .. 50 '.'.'. 3 Narromiue ... • •• . .. ... ... .•> .*• ... ... (I. Nicholson .... 80 80 82 t >• 100 76 75 ... **• ■ Northumb'riand 80 85 70 ... 70 80 87 85 85 84 85 80 90 82 80 60 ... Oxley 75 ... ... ... ... ... ... • •• ... Parry too ... 98 99 98 100 80 ... ' Philip 100 100 94 100 100 100 95 100 85 100 93 100 97 100 96 100 99 100 96 99 100 100 lOO 100 100 100 95 Pottinger .... Raleigh ... ... ... ■ •■ ... Bichmond ... 70 50 80 75 90 80 60 ... Kous 92 63 82 80 ... 60 80 83 70 88 50 60 75 50 99 100 95 100 95 60 75 70 68 67 82 Roxburgh . . . 60 Sandon Selwyn Stapylton .... ... 93 95 95 98 75 98 ... 97 71 96 92 78 98 94 • it 99' 95 94 97 85 90 94 100 100 98 95 91 82 100 **' .- St. Vincent... 70 >.. ... 90 95 85 96 100 85 • •• 85 80 73 ... Sturt ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... - Townsend .... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..• Tirana • «■ 94 ... 96 ... ... 96 ... 95 ... ••• ... ... Vernon t.< t.i ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .•t ... ■ ... ... Watool ■ •• 80 . .. - 80 75 ... 70 70 ■ •• ••• ... ..I Wallace ..• ... >*• 83 ,,, 97 87 100 100 100 98 95 84 86' ... A Waradgery ... ,,, .*. ... ... ... ... ..■ ... ... ... w Wellesley .... ... ■ ..• ..-. 95 90 95 .(. ... ... 100 100 95 ... ... ... .f Wellington . . . 95 95 100 80 80 100 100 100 100 100 90 95 ... 80 991? Westmoreland . . ,,. ,,, - 90 70 80 40 50 40 100 100 60 75 ... 60*? White ......... ... ... ..) ... ... ... ... „ •" Wynyard (*■ 95 98 80 80 .., 100 95 100 100 ibo 100 ... 75 100 Beport on the Condition of Growing Crops. MeteoeoIiOGIcal Stations, arranged in Counties, in connection with Crop Eeports (October, 1892). Counties and Stations. Temperature. i Counties and Stations. Tempe rature. 1 Ifax. Mill. Max. Min. 1 Taralffa . .... 68-6 74-1 68-7 64-9 64-5 86-1 e'ai 72'5 74-2 68-5 71-7 55'2 41-6 46-2 490 47'1 59-2 42-7 52-8 53-2 500 49-8 2-73 8-09 3-46 3-18 3-64 7-46 2''83 3 69 5-22 3-69 4-97 4-13 307 4'44 4-77 385 2 52 2-35 3-17 4'42 3-91 3-94 1'78 316 2-74 Brisbane — Scone 73-3 71-2 72'l 86'6 76-6 7G-5 72'5 69-6 69-7 79-5 8i'2 74'8 830 51-1 48-9 50-3 si'i 56-1 50-9 59'7 490 53-3 46-3 58"6 49-8 ss-s 219 3-48 Tarago .... Oxley's Peak Muswellbrook 2-47 .Arrawatta — Buccleueh — Nanangrove Yallowin Eed Hill Strathbogie 359 3-43 B.8liburnham — Forbes Bupkland — Carroll Partes ... 506 Cai'go , AVallabadah Bucilond — BuUer— MarYland (VS Bega 6-78 Burnett — Yallaroi Eden 6'22 Jaradine — 5-59 Cadell— Matlioura . . Pilliga 2-29 Bathurst — Carcoar Caira — Balranald Orange Paika Mount McDonald Cowra ,• jBenarba — - Mungindi .". Camden — 4-26 Derra 566 Kunopia Moss Vale , ^resford — Michelago ; 652 Canbelego — Governor's Hill 280 Cooma 4'01 Clarence — Clarence Heads itond— Marsdens 5-84 Morangarell Grafton 6-85 Temora Clarendon — June e Junction Barmedman 2-53 ■igh— 1-79 H f)fl,HBi1is Clarke— * Eotherwood Bourke — 492 Mandamar Olive— Tenterfield ^gnnlnmnn 8-33 • Pine Lodge ... Clyde- Boyd— Brewarrina 2-80 Womboin 8 Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Meteoeologicai Stations, arranged in Counties, in connection with .Crop Eepor|g (October, 1892) — continued. Counties and Stations, Temperature. Max, Min. Counties and Stations. Temperature. Max. Min, Cook— Kurraiong Emu Linden Cooper — llarrandera , Nariah Bynya Ballandry Courallie — Moree Cowley — Caven Tliarwa Cumberland — Sydney Campbelltown , Cunningham — Condobolin Burrawang Dampier — ■ Moruya Bodalla Cobargo , Darling^- Barraba Manilla (2) Denham — Oreel Dungalear , Gosngra (2) ... Denison — » Savemake Bull Plains Mulwala , Bowling — Lake Cudgellico Drake— Tabulam Dudley — West Kempsey AldaTilla .„ Durham — Dungog &oorangoola ... Belltrees (1) ... Ewenmar — Merigal G-ilgandra Bundemar Eitzroy — Copttianhurst ... Woolgoolga ... Wirrialpa 58-3 69-2 72-1 82-5 69-6 69-3 67-4 731 73-2 88-5 75-7 81-3 48-7 56-3 49-2 58-6 44'4 55-5 51-7 50-4 57-5 58-8 56-8 6-49 401 307 2-50 4-22 4-85 4-87 3-27 11-12 12-74 B-75 408 5-82 3-34 7-71 3-07 4-53 3-25 7-90 8-33 Flinders — Bulbodney Panjee Miandetta .... Forbes — Pinnacle Wongajong Bald Hills Q-eorgiana — Tuena Truntey &ipp8 — Woolengough . Lake Cowal .. Gunningbland Q-louoester — Gloucester Tahlee Port Stephens. . Gordon — Dubbo Obley Gough^ Deepwater Inverell Glen Innes Goulbum — Albury Germanton Jindera Gowen — Tondeburine ..., Coonabarabran Gulargambone Gregory — Cannoubar Inglegar' Mumblebone ... Grosham — Newton Boyd... Harden — Murrumburrab Bowning Cootamundra ... Hardinge — Bundarra , Tenterden Guyra Hawes — Nowendoc Barry , 74-( 72-1 7S-8 71-5 67-5 72-5 75-9 531 55-4 49-1 43-6 52-3 43-9 49-2 47-2 72-0 74-7 49-9 46-5 Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. 9 METEOEOiiOencAi STATIONS arranged in Counties in connection with Crop Eeports (October, 1892) — continued. Temperature. 1 Counties and Stations. [Temperature. ^ 3 Max. Min. Max. Min. ■| ■r- ' ^ume — 7'3-7 68-0 66-8 71-7 70-7 73-7 ... 47-1 so'-o • •• 46-9 55-9 4i"8 51-5 2-30 3-12 3'-83 s'os 3"86 3-06 4-09 3'94 211 2-20 5-70 7-27 5-71 3-05 3-89 4'49 3-78 4-28 3-41 507 Narramine — Narramine 72-4, 71-5 70-2 • •• 78'-6 78-9 68-8 68-6 65-0 511 53-4 f s'g-e 58-8 47-7 46-5 47-8 2-93 Dandaloo 2-64 Bulgandramine 4-72 ; Hunter — Nicholson — Hillston 2-28 Inglis— Booligal 2-95 Ounbar ' 232 Northumberland — f amison — 3-09 ■■' BimunBirrum 4'41 Boggy Creek Tank a ns-FnTfl 5"32 Pncdlbone Oxley— Warren , Kennedy — Tabratong Parry— ... ^'CoiadffBrv ..'.'.' King— ■VTheeo 2-60 Goonoo Qoonoo 5-11 Buprowa Phillip— ^^ Yaes '......... 3-60 - Gunning LeicKliardt — Towendah Pottinger — Gunnedah Coonamble Lincoln — Ealeigh— Macksville .- Macquarie — Trial Bav 6-86 IFernmount 4-40 Eichmond — Wyon Woodburn 811 MitcheU— Cuddell , Kous — 5-65 Yerong Creek Monteagle — Grenfell „ Toung Koxburgh — Murchison — 308 Sofala 2-75 Fallal Sandon — Murray — 6-80 Uralla 6-53 HillgroTe 6-81 Selwyn — Nandewar — 4-07 Jindabyne jTarriaro Stapylton — TuUoona * Wfilbon 5-17 BTapier — Sturt— Carrathool Coolah 2-64 TJlinda 10 Report on the Condition of Growing Crops. Meteokologicae Stations arrftnge4 in Counties in connection with Crop Beports (October, 1892) — continued. A Temperature. .2 Counties and Stations. Temperature. 'l| Max. Mill. Max. Min. ■^^1 St. Vincent — Nowra 76-2 .44 7 3o5 300 1-24 5-86 Waradgery — One Tree Tank 75-9 76-4 77-3 49-0 52-0 45-3 2-82 Braidwood HaT 3-49 Townsend— Sixteen Mile Gums Wellesley— Tuppal 72-0 ! 47'-l ! Delegata 5-59 Tirana — Briandairy Wellington — 3-68 Hill End 3-93 3-76 Waloha 54.-8 3G-2 Westmoreland — Wakool — 4-58 .Faasifern ...> 3-94 Moulamein White- Wee Waa ..'..' ' Wallace— Wynyard— Waesa Waeea 1-90 Goolaiiiatong .. , ... Adeiong 2-53 3-14 8th Novembsr, 1892. H. C. EUSSELL, Government Astronomer. J Sj-dney ! Charles Potter, Government Printer.— 1892 PAMPHLET BINDERS This is No. 1524 also curried In atock In tb* followins aixea HICH WIM THiacmH 15U f iKlm 7 inthw H bcb 1»4 It " 7 " las t 2 * " 1 1527 UH " 7H " ISU 11 -Sm- 1521 IZ i«h«H iochu Hindi ISSt 12 " »H " " IMZ IS " 10 " WM 14 " U " US4 U "12 other alzes made to order. MANUFACTURED BY LIBRARY BUREAU Division of REMINGTON RAND INC. Library SuppUu of all kind*