674 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Nov., 1918. 



desired quality and condition. One point of much value to the pro- 

 ducer of ducklings and chickens is that all poultry for export are pur- 

 chased by weight, and this should induce breeders to feed their birds 

 lit-erally. 



Ducklings are more profitable to breeders on a small scale than 

 chickens, as they are hardier, mature more quickly, and can be marketed 

 at little more than half the age. For this reason, the rearing of ducks 

 can be unhesitatingly recommended to those who desire to commence 

 poultry farming in a small way. 



COPPER FUNGICIDES FOR VINE DISEASES. 



By F. de Castella, Government Viticulttirist. 

 (Continued from page 599.) 



Bordeaux Mixture — continued. 



When operating on a large scale, instead of making up separately 

 each 50 gallons of spray mixture, as described in last issue (page 599), 

 it will be found much more convenient to prepare 



Stock Solutions 



of each of the spray ingredients, viz., copper sulphate (bluestone), lime, 

 and casein. In this way much valuable time can be saved, it being only 

 necessary, when making the final mixture, to take a measured quantity 

 of each stock solution to make up, say, 50 gallons of bulk, or sufficient 

 to charge a ti'^ction spray pump. A large vat capable of containing 

 several 50-gallon lots should prove very convenient. More than suffi- 

 cient for one day's spraying should not be mixed at one time, but it 

 is evident that a spray pump capable of treating 20 acres per day will 

 need about 1,000 gallons of spray mixture. If several hundred gallons 

 be mixed at once, much time will be saved ; it will, of course, be neces- 

 sary to thoroughly stir the bulk before each withdrawal. 



Copper Sulphate Stock Solution. — Take 100 lbs. copper sulphate 

 and dissolve in water to make up 50 gallons; 5 gallons of this solution 

 will be required for each 50 gallons of spray mixture. Do not handle 

 in metal vessels. 



In last issue, a 10 per cent, stock solution was mentioned (1 lb. to 

 1 gallon of water). Copper sulphate being fairly soluble, an even 

 stronger solution may be made, which will have the advantage of being 

 less bulky, and consequently more convenient to handle. Copper sul- 

 phate dissolves in four times in weight of cold water, hence it is quito 

 easy to prepare a 20 per cent, solution, or, more correctly, a solution 

 such that every gallon will contain 2 lbs. of the salt. The procedure 

 will be as follows: — (Take a 60-gallon hogshead from which one head 

 has been removed; place same on end. Tie 100 lbs. copper sulphate in 

 a hessian bag and suspend it, in the upper part of the cask, to a cross- 

 piece of wood, so that it will be just submerged on filling the cask witk 



