7^4 Journal of /Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Nov., 1911. 



REMINDERS FOR DECEMBER. 



LIVE STOCK. 



YiORSV-s. ^stabled Horses. — Over-stimulating and fattening foods should be 

 avoided. Give water at frequent intervals. Rub down on coming into the stables 

 overheated. Supply a ration of greenstuff to all horses. Brood Mares. — Those with 

 foals at foot should be well fed. Early Foals may, with advantage, be given oats 

 to the extent of i lb. for each month of age dailv. 



Cattle. — Rugs may now be dispensed with. Supply succulent fodder. Milk, 

 should be given at blood heat to calves. 



Pigs. — Sows. — Supply those farrowing with plenty of short bedding in well- 

 ventilated sties. Those with litters old enough may be turned into grass run. All 

 pigs should be given a plentiful supply of clean water. 



Sheep. — To insure even lambing, see that a sufficient number of rams run with 

 the ewes for six weeks. In cases of non-pregnancy, this period admits of the 

 ewes coming in season a second time whilst with the rams. Merino and fine come- 

 back ewes have been in season for some weeks, whilst cross-bred ewes [i.e. first cross) 

 will now begin to come on. Coarse three-quarter bred ewes, and fhose approaching 

 any of the British breeds, will not be in season until February. Ewes carry their 

 lambs for five months. 



Poultry. — Add a little peameal to morning mash, and give less bran. Feed 

 equal parts wheat and short white oats at night. Supply plenty of green food — 

 at this time, lettuce is irvaluable. Discontinue salts and condiments. Avoid salt 

 meat of any description. Put Douglas mixture in drinking water. Keep ample 

 supplies of sand, ashes, &c., in pens, and moisten same. This will enable the 

 birds to keep themselves cool and clean. Top off geese, ducks, and cockerels for 

 the Christmas markets. 



CULTIVATION. 



Farm. — Cut hay in late districts. Cut oats and barle^ in early places. Finish 

 planting potatoes. Put in late maize for fodder, also millet and imphee. Plough 

 fire-breaks where required. Get stackyard and stages ready for hay. 



Orchard. — Keep the surface loose and free. Suppress weeds. Spray as often 

 as necessary for codlin moth and pear slug. Mulch and sprav young trees and 

 grafts with water in the earlv morning during hot weather. 



Vegetable Garden. — Keep the surface hoed, and allow the plants pleniy of 

 moisture. Stake, pinch out, manure, and water tomatoes. Pinch back long runners 

 of pumpkin and melon family. Sow autumn and winter varieties of cabbage and 

 cauliflower. Plant out seedlings in cool weather. Sow French beans. Cease 

 cutting asparagus beds, and top-dress with manure. 



Flower Garden. — Plant out dahlias for autumn blooming. Lift and store 

 spring flowering bulbs. Siake, tie, and train growing plants. Sow zinnias and 

 asters. Layer carnations, camelias, daphnes, (Sic. Water well and keep the surface 

 loose. 



Vineyard. — Inspect young grafted vines ^field or bench) and carefully remove 

 any scion roots. Tie up young vines. Beware of cut worms on young vines — See 

 Journal for July. Tying up of bearing vines, if practised, should be completed 

 early in month. Avoid excessive and indiscriminate topping, far too frequent in 

 Victoria. Scarify, if soil is not sufficiently loose, and after heavy rain. Look 

 Out for oidium and repeat sulphurings on first appearance of disease. 



Cellar. — Fill up regularly and keep cellars as cool as possible. 



