1022 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Now, Professor, I expect you to accept tliis information in 

 strictest confidence. Use your own judgment as to whetlier you act 

 at all, or if so, what way. I request tliat no rumpus be made but that 

 all be first given a chance to get into line. Then make it disagree- 

 able for the crooks if you like. 



I am not giving this information for any other reason than to 

 make and keep formaldehyde popular as mu efficient smut killer.' 



It is quite clear that manufacturers and druggists alike are 

 responsible to a considerable extent for the discrediting of the for- 

 maldehyde method for destroying smut. I can see but one remedy 

 and that lies in enacting a laAV which shall be strictly enforced, 

 regulating the sale of formaldehyde. A law similar to the fertilizer 

 law, well enforced, would put a stop to the present practices and 

 ensure fair treatment for the farmer, who is made to suffer heavy 

 loss and the state loses many thousands of dollars each year by 

 smutted wheat, which is entirely unnecessary since the farmers are 

 doing their best to prevent this disease." 



Treatment of Phylloxerated Vines with Lysol. 



Some time since, at the request of the Mildura Horticultural 

 Society the Department communicated with Prof. Seronilla, Principal 

 of the Montpellier College of Agriculture in France, asking for such 

 information as was available in reference to the treatment of 

 phylloxerated vines by lysol. In reply. Prof. Serouilla stated " that 

 the experiments undertaken at the Agricultural College at Mont- 

 pellier, have always given negative results, and lysol has in all cases 

 proved to be ineffective against the cryptogamic (fungus) diseases to 

 wliich vines are subject." 



Tanning Skins. 



Mr. D. McKenzie of the Public Works Department furnishes the 

 accompanying method of tanning, which has proved entirely success- 

 ful in his hands : — 



Pour two quarts of boiling water over one quart of bran, and in 

 two quarts of warm water at blood heat dissolve as much salt as it 

 will take up, about ^ lb. ; then mix the saltwater and the branwater 

 togethei', making one gallon, to which add one ounce of sulphuric 

 acid. Soak the skins in this mixture, using an earthenware vessel, 

 Avell stirring the while, for 20 to 25 minutes, then rinse in cold water 

 and hang to dry in a shady place. In drying, pull skins well and 

 remove any fat and they will become perfectly white. 



Utilising by-products of the Vineyard. 



Mr. Thos. Blayney of the Goulburn Valley Vineyard writes : — 

 " It may not be generally known, even to vignerons, that vine- 

 cuttings are useful as fodder for cattle and horses in dry bare winters. 

 If certain varieties of vine-cutting-s are thrown over the fence into a 



