Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N .8. W . 141 



the most valuable part of the hay. Generally the raking should be com- 

 menced at midday to get all the hay cut that day into the windrows before 

 dark. 



" In very hot, dry districts the rake should be following the mower and the 

 cocking done immediately. In milder climates the bay should remain in the 

 windrows a few hours. 



"Where the weather conditions make it probable that hay is likely to mould 

 in the cocks, they should be gently turned with the fork. 



" The time the hay remains in the cock depends on the weather. When it 

 is fine and hot two days are sufficient, but when mild or cloudy it may have 

 to remain four or five days, or even more. Only experience teaches at what 

 time lucerne should be put into the stack. The stems are more likely to be 

 the cause of trouble than the leaves, as they take longer to dry. When 

 handled the hay should have a crisp feel rather than a dead, damp one. If 

 the hay is allowed to become too dry, a considerable loss will occur through 

 the leaves falling, while on the other hand there is a danger of hay which 

 is brought in too fresh firing in the stack; but any farmer with a little 

 experience with hay will find that in a short time he is able to cure a fair 

 sample." 



Vineyard jS'otes tor Eebrlary. 



Summer rains of December have benefited the grape crop to no inconsiderable 

 extent, and reports from various sources indicate a fairly satisfactory return 

 for the coming vintage. Throughout the county of Cumberland there has 

 been a rather serious outbreak of downy mildew and some black spot, but 

 where spraying had been carried out in the earlier jmrt of the season no harm 

 has been done. The disease was mainly confined to the young growth, and 

 to a certain extent to the fruit. In one instance, where the vines had not been 

 sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, a considerable portion of the croj:) had become 

 affected and destroyed. 



Although the presence of the disease in the vines is to be regretted it is, in 

 a sense, a good thing, in so far that it has been the means of making growers 

 realise the danger of apathy in resjDCCt to spraying. At the same time it has 

 demonstrated the efficacy of recognised sprays. When full realisation of the 

 value of home-made Bordeaux mixture takes place and patent mixtures are 

 avoided, there need be no great fear of either downy mildew or black spot. 



With the removal of the fruit from the vines, they have still to mature 

 their wood. This depends upon the retention of the leaves ; and it must be 

 borne in mind that the success of the next year's crop is influenced by the 

 manner in which the vines finish their vegetative functions. A thorough 

 spraying after the crop has been gathered will be of great value should 

 ohowery weather be experienced, with a consequent recurrence of disease. 

 After vintage, continue the general cultivation, loosening the soil and keeping 

 down weeds. 



Young resistant vines should be " Yema " budded, and a pamphlet dealing 

 with this operation can be secured on application to the Department. — 

 H. E. Laffer, Viticultural Exj)ert. 



