10 Nov., 191 1.] A.usivers to Correspondents. 783 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Stat! of the Deinrtinent has bueii oij^anized to a larj;e extent for the iniipose of ijiv ing- information 

 to farmers. Question^ in ev ery branch of a^^ntulture are ;;latily answered. Write a short letter, giving as 

 full pvrtiiulars as possible, of vovir local conditions, and state precisely what it is that you want to know. 

 All iii'juii-ies forwardc'l to tin- Kilitur tinist be aceoMpanicd bi/ the name ani uddresa of the writer. 

 This is very necessary, as sometimes insutticient information is furnished by the inquirer. 



CLE.4RING Muddy W.^ter in D.am. — S. McC. writes : " I have a new dam, 

 and the water in it is a reddish colour. I wish to know if you can advise me 

 how to clear it without tising lime, as the latter is injurious to vegetables and 

 garden j)lants? ' 



Answer. — If lime be used at the rate of )^ lb. per 100 gallons of water, and 

 mixed well by drawing a log through the water several times, no injury need be 

 feared from using the water. If you prefer an alternative method, you may gain 

 your object by dissolving some ordinarv alum in water and adding this solution 

 to the water in dam, at the rate of i lb. of alum to i;oo gallons of water. See 

 also article on " The Purification of Mudily Waters," bv Dr. Rothera, published 

 in the July, 1910, issue of the Journal. 



Thom.\s Phosph.\te. — T. P. McL. asks whether the phosphoric acid in Thomas 

 l)hosphate is always in citrate form, and also whether basic slag and Thomas phos- 

 ])liate are identical ? 



Answer. — Thomas phosphate and basic slag are one and the same fertilizer. 

 In good samples, the greater portion of the phosnhoric acid is soluble in citric acid. 

 'I'homas phosphate is an imported fertilizer, and is not manufactured in Australia, 

 'the fertilizer is a by-prodtict resulting from the manufacture of steel. The total 

 phosphoric acid content is ai)])roximatelv 17 per cent., of which at least 14 per cent, 

 is citrate soluble. 



Ho.ME-MAi)!-; ]^>NEDUST. — j.D.F. inquires as to method of making bonedust in 

 a barrel. 



Ansiver. — Bones and fresh wood ashes are placed in alternate layers, making 

 the first and last layer of ashes, until the barrel is full. The whole is kept slightly 

 moist. After three or four months, the mass may be turned over once a month for 

 three months, when it will be ready for use. Another method is to mix them with 

 (piarter of their weight of clay, keeping the whole moist with urine or stable liquor 

 fo^ three or four months. A third method is to place the bones in the barrel with 

 I layer of soil at the bottom, and drench them with a hot sol.iticm of lye, mixed 

 in the proportion of i lb. potash lye to 4 lbs. bones. This should be covered with 

 soil and stirred occasionally for four or five weeks. The mixture may then be 

 turned out to dry. 



Fke.vch G.\RDENING. — j.D.F. asks whether French gardening h.is been prac- 

 tised in Victoria. 



Answer. — Not so far as is known. Tliis method of vegetable growing is 

 unnecessary in Victoria, owing to our suitable climate, excent for forcing such 

 plants as asparagus, kale, and various salads in small quantities. 



Bamhoo Bunds. — J.D.F. asks what use in the garden can be made of old 

 1) imhoo blinds? 



Answer.— 'V\\Qy can be fastened to a light framework of Oregon .and used 

 as screens and breakwin<ls. If in a sufficient quantity, they can be utilized with 

 the framework for ferneries, plant sheds, shelter sheils, ^c, and al.so for growing 

 creepers upon. If fruit-drying is carried on, thex niake an excellent basis for 

 I lie trays. 



Khib.xrb. — E.G.N, states that, four years ago, he planted some giant rhubarb. 

 .\l rir>t, the stalks were as thick as his wri.st, but they have since greatly deteriorated 

 in size. 



Answer. — As rlinharb is a gross feeder, annual dressings of stable manure 

 sliould be given eicii autumn; also give the i)lanls a light dressing of bonediist and 

 blood manure in tiie earlv spring. Tlie beds must be well tlrained. See artide on 

 "Rhubarb ( iiltivalion " in the December, 11)07, 'ssue of tlie Journal. 



Cow Peas. — J.W.S. asks whether Cow Peas are of any i>raclical value as 

 fo<lder for dairy cows, or as for soil renovation? 



Answer.— Covi peas grow well in any district with a fair rainfall, during 

 summer months. They arc useful for fodder if fed with otlier foods, .and for 

 silage if mixed with oats or rye. Silage maile from cow jieas alone is li.ible to 

 btcome slimy and <iisagree.ablc to hamlle. As a soil renovator, tiiey are very valuable: 

 being legumes, they store nitrogen, and wlten |)loiiglied in li.ivr ili'' •■^•■' 1 "f idiling 

 liumus to tlie soil. 



