Departmental Activities. 215 



Lucerne. — During the latter part of August or early in Septem- 

 ber, just before active growth starts, the lucerne crop should leceive 

 a thorough cultivation. This is best done afto*- the first irTif,t'tion. 

 Heavy cultivators, such as the Martin and lioberts' Lucerne King 

 Cultivator, could be profitably employed without any danger of 

 injui^ig the plants. The first cultivation is of gjoat importance and 

 shoMi'l be done thoroughly, otherwise weeds, (be chief enemy of the 

 crop, arc sure to crowd and smother it. Wh^^re the above implements 

 are not available, an ordinary heavy, spike-tooth hajjovi or prefer- 

 ably a disc-harrow with the discs set straight, could^ l)e used to 

 advantage. Lucerne is a deep-rooted plant, and there is no danger 

 that any of the plants, if well established, could be uprooted whh. 

 the cultivations. Immediately after the first irrignrion and just 

 before the first cultivation is given, a top-dressing of superphosphate 

 at the rate of 400 lb. could be given. This will stijmilate growth 

 throughout the growing period and increase the yield. Lucerne, in 

 comparison with other crops, requires a large amount of water to 

 produce one ton of dry matter, and the crop should therefore not be 

 stinted. Over-irrigation, however, which might easily occur if the 

 sub-soil is of a clayey character, should be avoided at all costs. 

 Watch the crop ; if it requires water, let it have sufficient, but no 

 more. 



Horticulture. — Recently planted trees will need one or two good 

 waterings during the month if early rains are not experienced. 

 Where severe wind storms occur with any degree of regularity, or 

 where hares are troublesome, the trees may be protected by tying 

 grass or paper round the stems until growth commences. Where 

 there- is a danger of young trees suffering from sunscald, the 

 stems should be given a coating of white wash to protect them until 

 sufficient shade has developed. x\ll apples and pears should have been 

 sprayed with one or other of the commercial preparations to control 

 insect pests and fungoid diseases. Where trees are to be grafted 

 over to more satisfactory varieties, the work should be completed as 

 early as possible. Gather up all prunings and have them burnt so as to 

 facilitate cultural operations when rain occurs. Supplies of arsenate 

 of lead should be obtained to combat codling-moth. The purchasing 

 of box material is another item for immediate attention on the part 

 of the growers. Keep a sharp look-out for peach aphis, and control 

 it before the crop suffers to any extent, 



GLEN, ORANGE FREE STATE. 



Foaling Season. — One of the most common causes of loss during 

 the foaling season is joint-ill of foals. And foals of the heavy draft 

 breeds seem more susceptible to this disease than foals of other breeds. 

 The disease has been successfully combated by the use of a vaccine. 

 But whether or not this is used, it does not obviate the necessity of 

 having the mare foal in clean quarters. The foaling box should be 

 thoroughly cleaned and disinfected beforehand. It is also advisable 

 to disinfect the external genitals of the mare after foaling. Paint the 

 foal's navel cord daily with tincture of iodine, until it is dried up. 

 It is a good policy to follow the application of iodine with a drying 

 powder, and for this purpose equal parts of boric acid, tannic acid, 

 and alum make a good mixture. 



