974 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



processes whicli form the day's work in an analytical laboratory. 

 Bulletins clescri])tive of the field work of the branch were available 

 for distribution to those requiring them. 



Entomological and Ornithological Branch. 



By common consent, Mr. French's exhibit Avas regarded as one of 

 the most attractive in the building. One interested in farming or 

 fruitgrowing could study the various stages in the life histories of 

 the insect pests with which he has to fight, and see also the charac- 

 teristic injuries caused by any one of tTiem. A knowledge of our 

 insect foes is not complete without the study of their natural enemies, 

 and ample evidence was afforded that this particular phase of 

 Economic Entomology is not neglected. The nests and eggs, as 

 well as stuffed specimens of the chief insectivorous birds of Victoria, 

 gave visitors a chance to familiarise themselves with some of the 

 farmers' best friends. 



A fine collection of timbers destroyed by insects was a prominent 

 feature, and the whole display was well set off by numerous coloured 

 illustrations of injurious and beneficial insects. 



Pathologist's Branch. 



Of special interest in this section was the extensive collection of 

 fungus diseases of fruit trees and farm and garden crops, some being 

 shown dried and mounted in cases, and others preserved in spirit, 

 but the latter imfortuiiately, owing to want of space, were not shown 

 to advantage. The centrifugal machine for testing samples of seeds, 

 and especially grain, for the presence of the spores of smut and other 

 diseases, aroused ccmsiderable interest among farmers. 



The testing of new wheats, oats and barleys, as well as new 

 grasses and fodder plants, is part of the work of the branch, and an 

 extensive collection of the former were shown, as well as a complete 

 set of our native Victorian grasses. 



Bulletins on take-all in wheat and black spot of the api)le were 

 distributed to fanners and fruitgrf»wers. 



Viticultural Branch. 



As the reconstitution of ovir vineyards on resistant stocks is a 

 matter of .the greatest importance at the present time, the viticultural 

 inspector, Mr. Adcock, took advantage of the o])portunity afforded by 

 the Show to give frequent demonstrations in bench grafting cuttings. 

 The methods of making the various types of grafts in common use 

 were carefully explained, and machines were shown by which the 

 work was much simplified and the percentage of strike increased. 

 Some grafted cuttings planted last year at Kutherglen Avere on view, 

 and the vigorous growth they had made testified to the skill and care 

 with which the operations of the Viticultural Station at Rutherglen 

 are carried out. 



