lo Mar.. 1911.] A//S7ccrs io Corresfondciits. 215, 



Viticulture. 



1. Phylloxera and re.sistant stocks — Preparation of land. 



2. Propagation and grafting — Best \arieties to grow. 



3. Pruning and seasonable operations. 



4. Wine-making and cellar management. 



5. Drying raisins, sultanas ami currant.s — Packing fresh grapes for 



export. 

 7. Vine di-seases and treatment. 



Potato Culture. 



I. The soil and its cultivation — Care of the growing crop, manures. 

 3. Seed and its selection — Keeping of seed potatoes. 

 3. Diseases and their treatment. 



Subjects and Staff. 



Principles of Agriculture — Special Agricultural Lecturer: Mr. Temple- 

 Smith. 



Veterinary Science, Stock Management, Dairy Sanitation and Educa- 

 tion — Messrs. Robertson, Kendall, Griffin, Strong, Cother, and Johnstone. 



Special Veterinary Lecturer — Mr. C. D. Strong, G.M.V.C. 



Dairying Industry and Export Trade — Messrs. Crowe, Archer, and 

 Carroll. 



Orchard and Garden Work — Messrs. Carmody and Pescott. 



Sheep Breeding and Management — Mr. H. W. Ham. 



Viticulture — Mr. F. de Castella. 



Flax Culture and Demonstrations at Shows — Mr. Knight and staff. 



Poultry Breeding and Management — Mr. H. V. Hawkins. 



Poultry Dressing Demonstrations — Mr. A. Hart. 



Potato Culture — Mr. G. Seymour. 



Tobacco Culture — Mr. Temple Smith. 



Pig Breeding and Management — Mr. W. Smith. 



Fruit Industries — Mr. J. G. Turner. 



Insect Pests — Mr. C. French. Junr. 



Plant Disea.ses — Mr. D. McAlpine. 



Irrigation — Expert of State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Depiitment has heon orj^aiiized to a lar^e extent for the purpose of fjiving iiiformatioir- 

 to'farniers. Questions in every branch of a^ri( ultnre are ;,'.a(ll.v answered. Write a sliort letter, jriving as 

 full particulars as possitile, of vour local comlitinns, and state jirecisel.N what it is that > ou want to know. 

 All inquiricB forwarded to the Editor must be accompanied by the name and address' ol the writer. This is 

 very necessary, as sometimes insutticient information is furnished liy the incpiirer. 



Death of \'oiNr. Pigs. — B.G.F. inijuires as to likely cause of de.ith of younp; 

 pigs. He states that two litters did splendidly for the first week, and then got the 

 scours, all (15) dying within two or three days. 



Answer. — Keej) the sties and feeding utensils scruindoiislv clean, and see that 

 the sows are not fed on anything likely to cause intestinal derangenient. Young 

 pigs are very susceptible to insanii,ir\- cfinditinns, inducing a form of ptomaine 

 poisoning. 



Pro Lick. — C.f.M. inipiires as to best method of ricjding pigs of lice. 



Answer. — Washing with a solution of washing soda and afterwards ai)])lying 

 an oil with a brusli is an effective way of destroving them. This should be repeated 

 at weeklv intervals. Another effective dressing is a shampoo made by mixing a haif- 

 poimd of powdered Stavesacre seeds, i lb. of soft soap, and one gallon of water. 

 Allow it to simmer gently over a slow fire tmlil the (piantify is reduced to half-a^ 

 gallon ; and when cool apply as a shampoo. 



