74 Agricultural Gazette oj N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. 



of the more common complaints of the digestive tract, giving the treatment in each case ; 

 and spoke at some lengtli with regard to the care of mares in ]n\ gna.uy, incidentally- 

 referring to some cases of difficult parturition. By means of sketches he sliowed the 

 various forms of presentation of the fa^tus and indicated what could or could not be done 

 in assisting the mare in delivery. 



The lecture was extremely interesting and helpful, and was received with 

 great appreciation by members of the branch. 



At the meeting of this branch on 12th November a lantern lecture on 

 Burrinjuck dam and the irrigation settlements at Yanco and Mirrool was 

 given by Messrs. H. Rivel and J. Moon. The lecturers exhibited about 

 eighty very fine slides, and covered the whole history of the scheme from its 

 inception to the present day. 



Thyra-Bunaloo. 



A meeting was held on 4th October, and was followed on 8th November 

 by the annual meeting, at which eleven members were present. Two new 

 office-bearers were elected, Mr. P. W. Sinclair, Treasurer; and Mr. E. J. 

 Berryman, Vice-chairman. 



It was decided that on account of harvesting operations, no meetings 

 should be held until about February, 1920. 



Toronto. 



The monthly meeting was held on 4th November. During the evening 

 several motions were adopted, including one deciding that new members 

 be admitted by open vote. Nine new members were also enrolled. 



Wellington. 



The monthly meeting was held on 28th October, when a paper on tomato- 

 growing was read by Mr. H. A. Flanagan. 



Points in Tomato Growincs. 



Mr. Flanagan advocated sowing the seed about the middle of July in seed boxes covered 

 with hessian, and placed in a hot bed to force the young ])lants forward. When about 

 2 or 3 inches high they should be transplanted into small jiots and the pots sunk in the 

 hot bed, still being protected from frost. Abo\it the second week in September they 

 could be planted out, and in this connection he advocated trellising. The trellises should 

 be 4 feet to 4 ft. 6 in. apart, and the plants 15 to 18 inches apart in the rows, with ]ialings 

 or sticks 5 feet high up which the plants could climb. The ])lants should be pruned to 

 one stem. As to varieties, he preferred ('halk's Early Jewel (a very early sort and a 

 splendid kcejier), Burwood Prize as a second early variety (though not ada])ted for 

 trellising) and Dwarf Champion (which did not require staking). 



By careful ])runing, tomatoes could be made to ri])en three or four weeks earlier than 

 they otherwise would. Tiiis ])runing consisted of pinching off all tlie lateral growth of 

 shoots, leaving only the main stem, which was trained up the trellis or stake. A lateral 

 shoot started from just above the leaf on the main stem. The leaf should not be touched, 

 but the siioot should be pinched off as close to the stem as possible, without damaging 

 the leaf. The flowers were tiirown out along tlie inner stem, and care sliould he taken 

 that they were not damaged. Tlie ground siiould be ke^it in a moist condition, though 

 not too much water should be given. 



Culture of Rosks. 



At the same meeting .Mr. C. Kimbell read a i)aper on rose growing, in which he said the 

 best soil medium for growing rf)scs was a strong loam with good red or yellow clay for the 

 subsoil. The diainago should be good, for no surjilus water sliould remain in the ground. 

 The soil should be well and dee])ly worked, and if the roses were on their own roots they 

 should be planted about fi inches deep. The best months during which to plant were 

 April, May, and June, but it was wise not to jilant immediately after rain if the ground 

 was sticky. Of manures he had found cow dung to be the best. 



