246 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Victoria, the first edition of 8,000 copies of Part I. having already 

 been disposed of, while the demand for Parts II., III. has been quite 

 up to expectations. 



Investigations and Experiments 



The principal publication in connection with the above has been 

 the Guide to Growers No. 49, this having been published and sent out 

 in time to help growers and to save a season. This pamphlet which 

 embodies the results of the experiments of Messrs. Cock and Meeking, 

 is a valuable contribution to the Departmental literature, showing as 

 it does, that with care and persistence a grower, no matter though he 

 be in the centre of a codlin moth infested district, can save from 

 90 to 95 per cent, of marketable fruit, and the writer is prepared to 

 prove this to the most sceptical. It has been decided to re-publish 

 this report and others bearing upon the subject, together with the 

 photographs taken in the various orchards in which the experiments 

 were carried out. 



The grasshopper fungus has been a greater success than we had 

 anticipated, the applications for supplies numbering 1,207, the num- 

 ber of tubes posted being nearly 5,000. In view of this success, I 

 beg to suggest that a small charge be made for the material and 

 postage, as the fungus costs a good sum to prepare for use. I also 

 propose to test this material on a much larger scale than has hitherto 

 been attempted here. On large areas a few tubes are of comparatively 

 little use and the eifects barely noticeable. If I be not mistaken the 

 utilization of this important South African discovery bids fair to 

 stamp out the grasshopper pest, which is certainly one of the most 

 formidable in oui* State. The conditions under which the fungus may 

 be sent out have not as yet been determined, but of these due notice 

 to the press will be given. Applications for the fungus should be 

 made not later than the end of September. 



Experiments on the San Jose scale with lime, salt and sulphur 

 have been very successful, and we hope gradually to reduce this 

 source of danger to a minimum. 



Root-borer is still in evidence, but only in the older orchards 

 where it is most difficult of eradication, various traps are being 

 tested, and we hope to be able to report success ere long. 



Recent and persistent experiments would indicate that we have now 

 but little to fear from the black peach aphis, the muriate of potash, 

 or more properly potassium chloride at the roots, combined with 

 spraying, having produced the best results, the green aphis being 

 more difficult of eradication. 



The onion fields in many parts of the State are badly infested 

 with the eel worm fAngnillulidwJ, also with minute wire worms, and 

 the larvae of a dipterous insect closely related to that well-known 

 scourge of the onion-grower — the "onion fly." Experiments are now 

 being carried out by this branch, the object being to endeavour if 

 possible to arrest the progress of the trouble and to restore the 

 valuable onion grounds throughout the State. 



