ii Sept., 1911.] Answers to Corresfondents. ^5:^ 



Value of the I'scvtcheon.— Cow Man desires information regarding the 

 value of the escutcheon as a guide to the probable milking qualities of dairy stock. 



Answer. — See article on page 585 of this issue. " Cow Man "' is reminded 

 that each inquirer must furnish his full name and address. 



Pickling Wheat.— A.E.D. asks whether pickling in icy cold water will de- 

 teriorate wheat. He states that some of his crop is a sickly brown colour, and 

 very sparse. 



Ans-djer. — The temperature of the water would have no effect on the germina- 

 lion of wheat. Bluestone pickle destroys a certain percentage of the seed, especially 

 if left too long in the solution. Tiie proper time to soak one bushel in a 2 per 

 cent, solution is about two minutes. The colour and thin appearance of the late 

 sown wheat may be due to loo deep sowing, or to the land being in very wet con- 

 dition. 



Sk.im.ESS Barley. — \iA^. imiuires as to the merits of skinless barley for 

 fodder purposes. 



Answer. — Skinless barley makes lirsl class green fodder. 



Lucerne. — A.S.OK. asks what is the best time for sowing lucerne. 



Answer. — The best time to sow lucerne where the frosts are not very heavy 

 is in the autumn, provided the land iias been well fallowed and cultivated before- 

 hand and the weeds kept down. A cover crop of oats, at the rate of 5 to 4 bush, 

 per acre, will protect the young plants to some extent. If this system is followed 

 the whole should be cut for hay at a fair height (6 in.), otherwise the crown of 

 the lucerne is liable to be cut off and the young plants too suddenly exposed to 

 the sun and their growth checked. If, however, frosts are not severe and the 

 land in good order, no cover crop should be used. Spring sowings in fair rain- 

 fall or under irrigation, are gooM, the Imd again being well worked and clean, 

 as weeds spoil more settings of yovu;g lucerne than an\ thing else. From 8 to 15 

 lbs. of seed is sown, according to fancy ; it is better to have lucerne on the thick 

 side than too thin. Thinning out is seldom required. After each cutting a 

 cultivator or harrows should be used to break the surface soil. 



Rape. — A.S.O'K. inquires re cultivation of rape. 



Answer. — Rape is sown in the autumn and spring at the rate of 4 to 6 lbs. 

 per acre. A dressing of 40 lbs. of bonedust is a great help to the crop. Dwarf 

 J'^sse.x is the best variety to use, and it should be sown on a dry seed bed. 



Swede Turnips. — I'.H. (Woodend District) asks when sweile turnips should 

 i)c sown. 



A)is'u)cr. — Swede turnips can be sown in August and September for a summer 

 crop, and in April and May for a winter crop. 



Fowl Manure. — F.R. writes : — How does fowl manure compare wiiii supec- 

 phosphate? Is there any market for it? 



Answer. — It is not so highly nitrogenotis as guano of sea-fowl origin, owing 

 tu the difference in the food supply of the birds, but it possesses certain fertilizing 

 properties. Superphosphate is a phosphatic manure only, and for that reason it 

 cannot be compared with fowl manure. The latter contains all plant foods and 

 is worth about 25s. per ton. There is no special market for it. The fresh manure 

 contains : — 



Water... ... 56 



Organic inaltur.. 25 

 Nitrogen ... 1 to 2 



I'cr cent. I'cr cent. 



I'lio.sphoiic at-id 1 "5 to '2 

 Potash ... ()-8 to 0-9 



(■(,\[. Ashes. — G.B.I-. asks whether any benefit will be derived from spread- 

 ing coal ashes on vegetable plots which he is preparing for spring sowing. He 

 has been informe<l that coal ashes have caused scab in potatoes. 



Answer.^C(y.\\ ashes contain about one-tenth per cent, of p.utash and about 

 the same r|uantity of phosjjhoric acid. ( "ou.sefiuently, as a manure for vegel.dile 

 crops, tliey are practically worthless. Occasionally^ provided they are not used 

 in too large a <|uantity, they may have a certain opening effect on (he soil. Heavy 

 or frequent dressings will be injurious, and perhaps the best u^e for dial as'ies 

 would he to put them on the foot|)alh. Wood ashes would fulfil the ]>iir].ose men- 

 tioned. Heavy dressings of coal ash will cause scab in potatoes. 



Woon Ashes. — J.O'B. Intpiires whether wood ashes would be of any benefit 

 to vines. 



Answer. — Ashes arc umloiibtidly of maniiiial value to vines on account of 

 the potash they contain, which is in the form of carbonate. They also improve 

 the physical nature of the soil. The value varies considerablv. The ashes from 

 small twigs are of greater value than those from solid wood. 



