62 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Jax., 1918. 



hastened by breaking down tlie top. An autumn crop of potatoes may 

 be planted. Cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, and celery plants may be 

 planted out. 



Flower Garden. 



January should be a busy month in the garden. It may be necessary 

 to water frequently, and after every watering the surface should 

 be well loosened, and stirred with the hoe to keep it moist and 

 cool. More cultivation and less water is a good rule to be obser^'^ed. 

 The hoe should be used more, and the hose less in summer, greater 

 benefits will accinie, and the water bill will be considerably reduced. 

 Mulchings with straw, grass, »&c., are very useful just now. The mowings 

 from laws form valuable mulching. Waste tobacco stems are also 

 valuable as a mulch. 



Dahlias, chrysanthemums, and other tall-growing, slender herbaceous 

 plants will require support in the way of stakes. They will also need 

 mulching considerably. These plants should receive no check whatever, 

 and should be continued with a regular even growth right through the 

 season. Another desideratum is that soils should be well drained, as 

 plants of all descriptions thrive better in well-drained soils. 



A sharp look-out should be kept on these plants for attacks of red 

 spider. If this insect appears, a good spraying of tobacco solution or 

 benzole emulsion should be given. 



Constant watch will need to be kept for the various small caterpillars 

 that attack the buds of these plants. Spraying with a weak solution 

 of paris green and lime, or similar insecticide, will be useful. Hand- 

 picking should also be resorted to. 



REMINDEHS FOR FEBRUARY. 



LIVE STOCK. 



Horses: At grass. — Supplement dry grass, if possible, with some greenstuflF. 

 Provide plenty of pure water and shade shelter. In stable. — Supplement hard 

 feed with some greenstuff, carrots, or the like, and give a bran mash once a week 

 at least. Avoid over-stimulating foods, such as maize and barley. Give hard 

 feed in quantities only consistent with work to be performed. Stable should be 

 well ventilated, and kept clean. When at work, give water at short intervals. 

 Always water before feeding. Great benefit will result in supplyinnf horses — ■ 

 more especially young ones running at grass — with a lick. The following one 

 is recommended: — 



Salt . . . . . . . . 20 parts 



Lime . . . . . . . . . . 20 parts 



Superphosphate . . . . . . . . 10 parts 



Sulphate of iron . . . . 5 parts. 



By having troughs constructed that will protect tlie lick from rain a considerable 



saving will be made. 



Horses at grass require their feet attended to at frequent intervals, otherwise 



deformity of feet and lameness may result. 



