38 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Diisting. — The dry application of arsenate of lead powder may 

 prove good practice on the tobacco crop, the leaves of which are 

 sticky and hold the poison well. A simple appliance for dusting the 

 plants is a tin and bag as is used for sulphuring vines. It is made 

 by taking a tin of suitable size, such as a 1 lb. coffee tin; numerous 

 small holes are made in the bottom; a small bag is made of some 

 loosely woven material, and tied over the bottom of the tin, allowing 

 a few inches to hang free. The tin is closed with a lid after the dry 

 insecticide is put inside, and tlie poison is sifted tlirough the holes 

 and shaken through the bag on to the plants. The application should 

 he made when the air is still, and, if possible, when the plants are 

 moist with dew or after rains. Only a very little of the poison 

 should be used to a plant, but the distribution should be as rmiform 

 as possible. 



Sulphuring bellows and hand-dusters, as used for vines, are 

 obtainable, and they work far more rapidly than the tin. Large 

 machines on wheels for applying powders have been tried with success 

 in the cotton fields in America, but are not yet obtainable here. 



For dusting it is an advantage to mix the arsenate powder with 

 its own bulk or more of some other fine dry material, like wood-ash 

 or lime. The dilute poison may be applied more liberally to secure 

 a more even distribution. Great care should be taken to mix the 

 materials thoroughly. 



Dusting with fine sifted lime or fine dry earth has been recom- 

 mended where other insecticides are not obtainable. Experiments 

 in the laboratory have shown that the number of larvae can be 

 reduced by these means, but whether the results in the field will be 

 good enough, and whether there would be any advantage over hand- 

 crushing has not yet been determined. 



Dipping Transjjlants. — The young tobacco plants, before they 

 are set out in the field, may be dipped in arsenate of lead and water 

 of the strength recommended for spraying. The tops of the plants 

 only should be dipped. The protection enables the plants to get a 

 good start. 



Dairying in the Union. 



Our dairying industry has emerged from its infancy, and with 

 its advance has to face broadening issues. There are certain phases of 

 the industry which call for special attention at the present juncture 

 which is pregnant with possibilities, though displaying symptoms of 

 danger. Mr. Challis, the Superintendent of Dairying, who, as is 

 well known. Las for many years guided the destinies of the industry, 

 makes a number of observations, published elsewhere in this issue, 

 which should carefully be studied by all concerned in the supply of 

 the raw material and in the manufacture of butter and cheese. 



The Wool Market. 



In view of the stagnant state of the wool market, producers will 

 read with interest a report on the subject, published in this issue, by 

 Mr. Canham, our Trade Commissioner in London, who briefly sum- 

 marizes the position as appearing a few weeks ago and holds out 

 promise of improvement. 



