866 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.TF. [Oc/. 2, 1908. 



<lrill ])Ioii^li. This shiiulfl be followed by cultiv^ation twice with u lii^lit three- 

 leaf haiTow, one week intervening between each opei'ation. One week after 

 the last harrowing, commence a regular series of operations in light or shallow 

 cultivation with the spring-tooth cultivator or scutller every fortnight until 

 the plants are too high for the eultivatoi-. 



The importance of light cultivation this season cannot be over stated. 

 Our soils ai-e fairly moist at present, and the ai«n is to keep that moisture 

 conserved solely in the interest of the maize plant to maintain a strong growth. 

 With increasing temperatui-es, caked or bakefl soils and weeds, this essential 

 and by no means too abundant moisture would soon disappear. 



Systematic shallow cultivation destroys weeds. If not checked they utilise 

 moisture and rob the maize plant of sustenance as well as light. Abak(>d sf)il 

 always encourages rapifl evaporation. Stirring the soil, and loosening it, 

 causes soil })articles to lie closel}' and forms an effective earth mulch, through 

 which evaporation is retarded, the soil is aerated, and plant food is rendered 

 available for the growing corn. 



Sorghum. — Fuithei- sowings may be continued this month, and with greater 

 safety, seeing this plant is very susceptil)le to frost in its early stages of 

 growth. The crops sown last month will require attention towards the end 

 of this month, to keep the soil stirred well and check the growth of weeds. 



Potatoes. — The main croj) is planted. When the young ])lants are ab(jut 

 3 inches high, the harrc^w may be used to cultivate. Every three weeks 

 a cultivator should be passed through each row until the flowering stage 

 is reached. Then tliey can l)e hilled. 



Sweet Potatoes. — Tt is surprising that this valuable and succulent tuber is 

 not more generally used as an article of diet in the hourehold, as well as 

 for domestic stock. Light sandy soils afford hea\ y and profitable returns. 

 When all chances of frosts are gone, the plants may be taken from the hot- 

 bed, soaked in a mixture of cow-manui'e and water of creamy consistency 

 and transplanted in rows 3 feet apart and 2 feet from each other. The soil 

 .should be enriched with fertilisers, 1 cwt. supei-phosphate and | cwt. sulphate 

 of potash to each acre. The best varieties to grow are Pink and White 

 Maltese. 



Pimipkins, Marroivs, Squashfs, and Melons. — The season is very favouralile 

 for the growth of this relishable and succulent class of fodder. Every corner 

 and small plot of waste land with sufficient soil fertility, should lie used to 

 raise these useful crops. 



The Pot-iron Scjuash, Crown, Ivio, King < f the Mammoths, Custai'd, and 

 Chinese are all good sorts. The old ironbark pumpkin has not been replaced 

 as a profitable stock fodder, especially tor pigs, during the hot weather. 



Marroivs. — Long White Bush and Moore's Cream are the Ijest. 

 Towards the end of the month culti\atioii must l)e ]>ractised to give the 

 plants a good start. 



Coivpeas. — The main crop should l)e planted now, and where their place 

 in the rotation is needed, the value of covvpeas as a green and i-elishable 



