ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS-r^;///>?/.tv/. 



Manure for Cabbagiis, Etc. — A. D.W. inquires re suita1)le manure for cabbages and' 

 cauliflowers. 



Answer. — See article on "Artificial Fertilizers and their Use in Market Gardens," by Mr. F. 

 E. Lee, in the Journal for December, 1!)06. 



Fruxt Store. — J.W. asks which is the most suitable kind of storehouse for fruit. 



Answer. — Your letter shows that you are iiaformed of the comparative cost of various materials 

 which may be employed, and that you recognise the value of a neat and durable chamber. A brick 

 or stone building, composed of double walls, with wide and well-ventilated air-spaces between, is 

 undoubtedly the best ; but as you may find either of these too expensive, a combination of wood, clay, 

 and bark, or Egyptian brick, with a deep straw or grass thatch would serve your purpose. It is 

 inadvisable to make an actual cellar or cave in the side of a hill, as such chambers are invariably too 

 damp, badly ventilated, and therefore difficult to keep clean and sweet. The main points to be kept 

 in view are a house which will secure a low and even tempeiature ; pure air by means of a high- 

 pitched roof and ventilators in the walls and doors ; plenty of light should be obtainable in all parts, 

 and shutters provided to keep the chamber dark when necessary. The interior iittings should l)e of 

 non-absorbent material, and so arranged that plenty of space exists for storing fruit in cases. The^ 

 house should stand on a platform or liave a well-raised floor and well-formed guttering outside in 

 order to secure perfect drainage and cleanly surroundings. 



Pickling Wheat. - S.J. A. writes : - " What quantity of formalin should be added to 4 gallons 

 of water to pickle two bags of wheat, dry pickling ? Would it injure seed to pickle a month before 

 sowing, bagging immediately after pickling ? " 



Answer. — Formalin is used for pickling wheat at the rate of 1 lb. of Schering's formalin 

 in 40 gallons of water, so that the quantity to add to 4 gallons of water would be one-tenth of a 1-lb. 

 bottle. It is not advisable to pickle the seed a month l)efore sowing. Mr. McAlpine, Vegetal)le 

 Pathologist, recommends that it be treated, if possible, the one day and sown the next. Seed-wheat 

 which was treated with bluestone for sowing last season was sent to Mr. McAlpine, who found the 

 percentage of germination so poor that it had to be discarded. The method of pickling, as carried out 

 by Mr. McAlpine, is to soak the wheat in the formalin solution in bran bags about 5 to 7 minutes, 

 then drain for some time over the tubs and shoot into dry and clean cornsacks. 



flGRlGUIiTUHM CLASSES, 1907. 



Arrangements have been made for opening Classes at the 

 undermentioned centres on the dates specified. The Course at 

 each centre will last a fortnight, two lectures and demonstra- 

 tions being given each afternoon, and four limelight lectures 

 during the Course. 



Classes have already been held at Ballarat, Ingle wood ^ 

 Korumburra, Traralgon, and Warragul. 



For full partii ulars re sutjcots, see page 45, January Journal. 



