July 1951 School Magazine

J:'ly , 1951

:Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

July, 1951

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A RAINDROP

MILO

Some of you who have lived in the city, are unaware of the fact that "milo", as well as being the name of that delicious drink we have all tasted so many times, is also the name of a grain. Milo is a small red seed about an eighth of an inch in diameter. The climate required for the growth of this grain is hot temperate. The seed is planted immediately the sum- mer rains begin, in about Septemcer or early October. Before p lanting, the soil, preferably black, is worked very carefully by contour farming and harrowing. When this process has been repeated about three times, the grain is planted to a depth of four inches by a seed·drill . which plants the seed, and harrows it in, by the one process. Ten pounds of milo per acre are sufficient for an average crop. Rain is required when the crop is about six inches high, and again, in the maturing season, when about half an inch is ideal. Strong sunshine ripens the grain which is harvested in April and May with a header drawn by a tractor. The header cuts the heads off the grain, winnows it, and stores it in a tank, ready to be bagged. The blade of the header is adjustable to the height required. Fifteen bags per acre is an average crop, while twenty bags is considered ex- tremely good. Milo grows to a height of roughly four feet and the length of the head is about ten inches. Sometimes the stalk grows to about six feet, but this is due to insufficient rainfall. A disease known as "smut" is a great setback to farmers . This is a black powder which forms inside the grain and thus renders it useless . However, by treating the seed with A poison before it is planted, growers have to a great extent, been able to check this trouble. Most of the grain is used locally for the fattening of pigs for the market, and, like wheat, when ground, it has proved itself a good fowl feed. This grain is the chief supporter of that worthy cause, the Food for Britain Scheme. Nothing is wasted, for the stalks are used for cattle feec:i. -ELWYNNE MEYER, Form IV C. 46

The first home that I ever knew was a cloud. In this cloud, my companions and I drifted about the azure sky, at times hurried by a playful wind. Thus passed many happy days, when we froliked around the heavens, until one day a strong wind blew us to unknown regions. On and on we were blown, and, as we travelled, other clouds joined us, till we grew enormous, black, and forbid- ding. As time passed the a [mosphere became hotter and muggier, until we came to a range of mountains. Here we were forced up, and then it became extremely cold. The next thing I knew was that I was falling- fallin::,- down- down-With a splash I landed on something soft. Too sur- prised to think I lay there for a few minutes, and when at last I had recovered sufficiently to take interest in my sur- roundings, I found that I lay nestled in the fragrant heart of a beautiful flower. As I discovered this, the flower closed her delicate petals over me. Thus she remained until the shower ceased, and when she reopened, I looked out on a transformed world. All the plants seemed to be waking up after a refreshing shower, lifting up their heads, as if in thanks for the blessed rai'n. The flower in which I reposed, lifted up her head to the sky, and I saw that the sun was shining in the heavens, and a beautiful rainbow ha d appeared. The sun shone brightly, re- ilecting raincows in my crystal depths. I lay there like a precious gem in the centre of the fragrant flower, and there I was conteilt to lie forever. But the sun is exerting a slrange influence over me. feel as though I am treading on air, and will soon be drawn up-up-up-to join my companions. Then it will be the same story over again. But just now, all I can think about is how happy I am with my flower.

GWENNETH JOHNSON, III A. 47