10 Oct., 1918.] Reminders. 639 



infested, longer. Submerge heads twice, but allow them to rise quickly — jnost 

 deaths after dipping are due to gross carelessness in holding sheep under too 

 long, the dip wash being taken in on to the lungs. Dip rams, full grown sheep 

 first, while bath is full, lambs last. Yard slieep over night. Dip while empty, and 

 avoid fouling the drainer. Commence early in the day, and allow sheep 

 to dry before nightfall. Avoid travelling long distances to and from baths, and 

 dipping sheep while overheated. Do not roughly throw sheep in. Avoid filthy 

 baths; this increases a dead tip in hot areas. 



It is unsafe, and against instructions, to use powder dips in increased strength. 

 Sheep badly lice-infested should be dipped directly off shears, and again in six 

 weeks' time. 



When constructing new dips, remember moderate-sized ones are most econo- 

 mical, just as efficient, and can be more easily emptied as they become fouled, 

 and if they are near water can be quickly filled. 



Poultry. — Provide plenty of green food and shade. Watch for vermin; 

 spray crevices of perches and houses with crude carbolic acid, 1 in 50. Keep 

 water clean and cool, and out of the sun. One packet of Epsom salts should be 

 given to thirty birds through the mash. Remove all male birds from the flock. 

 Infertile eggs are preferable when pickling, or when placed in cool storage. 



CULTIVATION. 



Farm. — Plant main crop of potatoes. Cut hay and silage. Weed early 

 potatoes. ' Sovsr maize and millets. Weed tobacco beds, and water, if dry. 



Orchard. — Ploughing, harrowing, and cultivating to be continued. Weeds 

 to be kept down. Secure, pinch, and spray grafts with water. Spray frequently 

 for codlin moth, pear and cherry slug, and peach aphis. Plant out citrus trees. 



Vegetable Garden. — Hoe and mulch surface. Suppress weeds. Water where 

 dry and hoe afterwards. Disbud and pinch back tomato plants. Sow celery, 

 French beans, peas, lettuce, cucumber, melon, &c., seeds. 



Flower Garden. — Water and mulch. Cultivate and keep down weeds. Thin 

 out weak wood from roses. Prune early all flowering shrubs that have finished 

 flowering. Lift and store bulbs. Plant out chrysanthemums. Liquid-manure 

 herbaceous perennials. 



Vineyard. — Field grafts require careful attention in the way of removal of 

 suckers and scion roots. (See articles in last and current issues.) Keep a 

 sharp look out for Downy Mildew, and commence spraying on the appearance 

 of the first symptoms of the fungus. Even if the fungus is not visible, spraying 

 should be concluded by the beginning of November in the north, and a week 

 later in the cooler districts. (See Journal for September, and also current 

 issue.) Cultural work, such as scarifying and hoeing, should be actively pushed 

 forward, so as to provide as good a " mulch " as possible during summer. Proceed 

 with tying up, stopping and topping. Avoid excessive topping, summer pruning 

 being usually more injurious than useful in warm, dry climates. Cincture Zante 

 currant vines after flower caps have fallen. Apply second sulphuring just before 

 blossoming, wherever Oidium was prevalent last year. 



Cellar. — Same as last month. 



JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES. 



The attention of allotment holders, gardeners, and small cultivators 

 generally is drawn by the Food Production Department in England (says 

 Farmer and Stochhreeder) to the value of the artichoke, both for pur- 

 poses of human food and for feeding to pigs. 



Recent investigations by the Koyal Society Food ("War) Committee 

 show that the artichoke, eaten in moderation, is an excellent human food. 



