10 June, 1918.] Reminders. 383 



means by which this class of plants may be kept healthy and free from 

 disease. Very few shrubs resent pruning, and the majority of them, 

 including Australian shrubs, such as Acacias, are very amenable to the 

 pruning knife. 



In rose pruning, the rule is that strong growing plants require less 

 severe cutting than the weak growing ones. As roses always flower on 

 T1PW wood, it is essential that the bushes be pruned regularly if good 

 blooms are desired. All weak growths, exhausted and worn out wood 

 must be removed, retaining only vigorous growths. It is generally 

 advisable to always prune to four or five eyes or buds, so as to have 

 subsequent strong growths, always pruning into the previous season's 

 • wood. Spindly growths, especially in the centres of the bushes, should 

 be removed, the plants being trained with an open and angular habit. 



To prevent loss by decay, it will be advisable to lift and store such 

 herbaceous plants as delphiniums, perennial phlox, rudbeckias, &c., also 

 dahlias, tubers, chrysanthemums, cannas, and perennial sunflowers and 

 asters. Failing the possibility of doing this, they should be lifted gently 

 with a fork, so as to allow of a slight air space under the crown. 



HEIVIINDEHS FOH JUliY. 



LIVE STOCK, 



Horses. — Those stabled and worked regularly should be fed liberally. Those 

 doing fast or heavy work should be clipped; if not Avholly, then trace high. 

 Those not rugged on coming into the stable at night should be wiped down and in 

 half-an-hour's time rugged or covered with bags until the coat is dry. Old horses 

 and weaned foals should be given crushed oats. Horses at grass will greatly 

 benefit by the addition of either hay or chaff, oats and bran. A lick, previously 

 reconunended, should be available for all horses at grass. Old and badly- 

 conditioned horses should be given some boiled barley or linseed. Mares now 

 approaching foaling will require careful attention, and should be kept under 

 constant observation. It is not advisable to have mares fat at foaling time, nor 

 is it wise to have them poor ; they should, however, be kept in good working 

 condition. The practice of working mares in shafts until they are about to 

 foal is strongly condemned, as such a course may give rise to many foaling 

 ailments, with consequent loss of foals, and, at times, that of mares also. 

 Commence preparing stallion for season, especially if worked. 



Cattle.^ — Cows, if not housed, should be rugged. Rugs should be removed 

 and aired in the daytime when the shade temperature reaches 60 degrees. Give 

 a ration of hay or straw, whole or chaffed, to counteract the purging eifects of 

 the young grass. Cows about to calve, if over fat, should be put into a paddock 

 in which the feed is not too abundant. Newly-calved cows should be fed liberally 

 to stimulate milk flow. Calves should be kept in warm, dry shed. 



Pigs. — Supply plenty of bedding in warm, well-ventilated styes. Keep styes 

 clean and dry Store pigs should be placed in fattening styes. Sows in fine 

 weather should be given a grass run. Young pigs over two months old should be 

 removed from lucerne run. 



