134 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Feb., 191 i. 



Lump on Jaw. — A.B. states that his horse has had a lump under its jaw for 

 years. It appears to increase as the horse improves in condition, and to decrease to 

 nothing when poor. 



Answer. — It is im])()ssible to ex])ress a definite o])inion as to liie nature of 

 the lump mentioned without a manual examination. The alternating appearance 

 and disappearance with varying bodily condition is suggestive of nothing more than 

 increased T)rominence being given to the glands under the lower jaw as the horse 

 thrives, which is due to the deposition of fat in the region. As the fat is used 

 U]i when " condition " is lowered the glands shrink back into the sjiace between the 

 branches of the lower jaw. If the swelling shows a tendency to increase and 

 remain permanent you should have the horse examined by a veterinary surgeon 

 to determine the exact nature of the swelling. 



Lamb-raisixg. — C.A.H. asks for info'iuation on several pcnnts in connexion 

 with lamb-raising. 



Answer. — In a healthy district, when fairly treated, good crossbred ewes 

 return 5s. to 6s. each in wool and los. to 13s. for the lamb; or /^26 ]ier 100 for 

 wool and /.■45 per 100 for lambs. The age at which a lamb would be market fat 

 depends on the class of ewe and the type of ram. mated ; 12 to 14 weeks old weigh- 

 ing 28 to 36 lbs., if from coarse crossbred ewes b\' thick-set Shropshire rams. 

 Lucerne, both green and silaged, is suitable for sheep, but proper fixtures are neces- 

 sary in feeding silage economically. Lucerne, if grazed, should not be eaten bare. 



Stable Manure for Potatoes. — H.H.II. asks what c|uantitv of stable manure 

 per acre would be necessary for growing potato crops on alluvial flats. 



Answer. — The quanti'LV depends on the nature of the soil and lenr^th of time 

 under cultivation. Rich alluvial fiats that have been under pasture for a long 

 period should yield a satisfactory crop of potatoes without manure ; if under 

 cultivation for a number of years, 10 to i :; tons per acre. Less fertile flats, under 

 similar conditions, would require 15 to 20 tons per acre. 



" Red-skin" Potatoes. — R.A.O. asks what is th° colour of a true " Red-skin " 

 potato. 



Ans'wer. — The colouring matter of the true Red-skin is red. The 'ikin of this 

 ^.•ariety is rough and netted, consequently the colour is not very marked except 

 when just dug. The colouring matter of the Brown's River variety varies from 

 ;5ale purple to violet. Potatoes of this variety are called " Reds " more on account 

 of being grown on red soils; they are sometimes called " Blues." 



Farmyard M.anure. — H.H.H. wishes to know whether farmyard manure should 

 be ploughed in when fresh to obtain the best results. 



Avs7Vfr. — As a general rule the manure shou'd be carted direct from tlie stable 

 or cow yard on to the field, spread out there in long narrow strips, and ploughed 

 in about once a fortnight. In this way a succession of fodder crops can be success- 

 fu'ly grown for all kinds of stock. 



Wire Netting. — H.H.H. inquires as to jirices ami terms upon which the Go- 

 vernment supplies wire netting to settlers. 



Answer. — The price of the netting (42 in. wide, 17 gauge, i^-in. meshl is 

 £22 los. per mile, delivered at Wharf or Spencer-street Railw^ay Station. The 

 terms allowed are ten years (unless otherwise agreed upon) with interest, at 4 per 

 cent., on the outstanding balance, but an applicant may pay in full at any time. 

 If the land is held under a lease or licence or it adjoins unoccupied Crown lands, 

 application should be made to the Secretary, Lands Purchase and Management 

 Board, Melbourne, otherwise it should be made to the local Shire Council, who 

 will supply it on exactly the same terms. 



Rabbit Destruction. — H.H.H. asks whether the Covernment sup])lies carbon 

 bi-sulphide for rabbit destruction at reduced rates. 



Answer. — The Government does not supjdy anv material whatever. 



Pruning. — R.A.O. asks whether, in priming fruit trees, the cut should be made 

 just above the bud which it is desired to leave or through the bud above. 



Answer. — Cut just above the bud you wish to use as a leader sloping the cut 

 in the opposite direction to the bud. 



Wooi.iY Aphis. — P.McK. asks for remedy for treating trees affected with 

 Woolly Aphis. 



Answer. — Trees should be sprayed with tobacco decoction twice, at an interval 

 of abou-; a month to allow those aphides on tlie ground to have ascended ; 1 lb. 

 of waste tobacco, soaked in about 3 gallons of water for a week or so, will be found 

 effective as a spray. 



Scale on I>emon Trees. — J-D, inquires u'^ to treatment of scale on lemon 

 trees. 



Ans7ver. — Red oil emulsion i in 4s, is recommended. Sj)ray in cold weather. 



