65^ Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ii SePt., tpif. 



It is becoming increasingly popular to grow daffodils in grass plots, 

 or on slopes. The naturalizing of these flowers in grass is easily accom- 

 ])lished, as it is only necessary to make a hole large enough to drop the 

 hulb in, covering it up again with the small piece of turf previously re- 

 moved. Daffodils may thus be grown in paddocks where a few head of 

 cattle are allowed to wander. Cattle refuse to eat the plant; and it is 

 surprising how very few they trample down. Daffodils growing in grass 

 are a very pretty sight, and the system is well worthy of a trial. 



Wattle Planting. 



The newly formed Wattle League is another means whereby attention 

 is drawn to this lovely national flower. The objects of the League are to 

 foster a love for the wattle, and to encourage the planting of the wattle 

 in our parks and gardens. A \ery large number of wattles are suitable 

 for cultivation. Everybody is familiar with the Cootamundra Wattle 

 {Acacia Baileyand) and with the Golden Wattle {A. fycnantJia); but there 

 are many other beautiful forms quite as easily cultivated as these. These 

 are Acacia saJigna, a fine weeping species from West Australia; A. 

 sfectabilis, a Ijeautiful orange coloured weeping variety, with pale ferny 

 foliage, from New South Wales; A. ruhida, and A. podylarifolia, two 

 sweet scented species; A. juniferina, a cream coloured, spine foliaged 

 variety; A. acinacea, a fine flowered dwarf shrub from Northern Victoria; 

 A. verniciflua, also of dwarf habit; A. Icprosa, A. retinodes, A. 

 suaveolens, A. pravissima, A. /nyrti folia, A. cultriforuiis, A. oxycedrus, 

 A. data, A. Farnesiana, and many others, are all suitable and useful for 

 garden work. 



It is not generally known that Acacias may be grown as pot plants. 

 They are very suitable for pot culture, especially such varieties as niyrti- 

 folia, vernicif-ua, acinacea, and jiiniferitia, which are of a dwarf habit. 

 Acacias are also very amenable to pruning and pinching back, and they 

 may be trained into very shapely and graceful bushes. 



Acacia plants may now be transplanted. It is also a good time to sow 

 the seed. The outer covering of acacia seed is very hard and the growing 

 root is not able of its own accord to penetrate it. The seed must therefore 

 be immersed for a few moments in boiling water, and allowed to soak for 

 at least 12 hours. After this, they may be planted direct into the garden 

 or into pots for subsequent transplanting. 



Seasonable Work. 



Ordinary garden work this month includes frequent and constant cul- 

 tivation of the beds. The hoe should be kept busily employed to prevent 

 surface caking. The soil will be surcharged with moisture after the heavy 

 rains of this year; and, if this be conserved by regular hoeing, much 

 summer watering will be avoided. The hoeing will also kill all weeds, 

 which is a necessity. 



Wherever it appears, the rose aphis will require to be checked by spray- 

 ing with some nicotine or soapy solution. As soon as any aphides are 

 noticed, they should be sprayed, and when the plants have all been sprayed, 

 they should be gone over again a second time, on the same day if possible, 

 so as to do the work thoroughly. 



For rose scale, the lime-.sulphur spray may be used to clean the old 

 stems, but the spray should not touch the young growth or buds. 



Roses may now be disbudded of their superfluous growths, by remov- 

 ing all crowding and badly placed shoots. 



