64 Journal of Agricidture, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1911. 



emulsion, will do good work in keeping scale insects in check, the only 

 effective means of complete eradication is b}' fumigation. The trees are 

 enclosed in a tent that will prevent the escape of anv gas through its 

 texture. The gas is generated inside the tent, and the tent is kept ov-en 

 the tree for a period of from half to three-quarters of an hour. The best 

 remedy is hydrocyanic acid gas, which is generated by placing cyanide- 

 of potassium in a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. Both the cyanide 

 and the gas are deadly poisons, and every care should he exercised in 

 using them. 



Budding. 



January and February are the best months for carrying out budding 

 operations. In budding, the work should not be performed unless the 

 bark separates very freely from the wood ; all cuts should be perfectly 

 clean and free from rags and fibres. After a lapse of three or four weeks 

 after budding, the ties may be cut, and the bud may either be allowed to 

 start into new growth by cutting away all wood above it, or it may be- 

 left dormant until the following spring. It is generally conceded that a 

 better and stronger tree will result if the bud is allowed to remain dormant 

 during the winter, as the time of growth is too short to prntluce a good 

 result in the autumn. 



"Vegetable Garden. 



Keep the surface continually loose, hoe out all weeds, mulch when 

 necessary, and give abundant supplies of water to growing plants. 



Manure and dig over all vacant plots for succession crops ; plant out 

 seedlings of cabbage, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, &:c., and plant seeds of 

 peas, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and leek. 



In watering at this time of the year, a better result will be obtained if 

 an occasional overhead spray is given. 



A planting of potatoes may be made for an autumn crop. 



FloA^^er G-arden. 



As in the orchard, the principal cultural operation is the work of keeping 

 the surface in the condition of a constant earth mulch by hoeing. The 

 surface .should be frequently hoed, and it will be found that the more culti- 

 vation is given the less water the plants will require. Mulchings, in the 

 shape of nianure, straw, grass, clippings from lawns. &c., may be used on 

 the flower beds. Mulchings should not be used indiscriminately, the 

 requirements of the plant being considered before the mulch is applied. 

 If the plant is entering upon a period of rest, such mulchings as grass or 

 straw may be used. Manure should not be used as a mulch unless it is 

 intended that the latter should be a stimulant as well as a protection 

 for the roots. 



All tall-growing plants, such as chrysanthemums, dephiniums, and 

 dahlias, should be staked so as to protect them from winds ; they should 

 be well mulched and fed and their growth should be continued throughout. 

 A sharp lookout should be kept for attacks on these plants of Red Spider ; 

 if this insect appears, a good spraying with tobacco solution or benzole 

 emulsion should be given to the plants. Caterpillars of all de.scriptions 

 should also be kept in check with Pans Green. 



Gladioli may now be planted for autumn blooms ; Iceland Poppy and 

 Pansy seeds, ahso seeds of perennial and biennial plants may be sown. 



