ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The StafT of the Department has been organized to a large extent for the 

 purpose of giving information to farmers. Questions in every branch of agriculture 

 are gladly answered. Write a short letter, giving as full particulars as possible, of 

 your local conditions, and state precisely what it is that you want to know. All 

 inquiries must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. 



Best Manures. — J. A. (Warragul) asks what are the best kmds of artificial manures for 

 grass, fruit trees, and vegetables. Also asks when paspalum should be sown. 



Answer. — There is no such thing as " best '^ manures for any crop. The quality of the land, 

 its drainage, ikc, influences the kind and amount of manure to be used. For the Warragul 

 district a mixture of superphosphate and bonedust in equal quantities would Lc beneficial to 

 grass.. Paspalum is best sown in the autumn. 



Floor of Cow Shed. — J.E.B. inquires (i) What kind of floor for cow sheds is allowed ?■" 

 (2) What distance must the separator room be from the dwelling and the cow slied ? (3) Where 

 can the Milk and Dairy Sufervision Act be obtained? 



Answer. — (i) The floor of a cow shed must be of an impervious character. (2) No 

 regulations have been issued prescribing definite distances between byres and sheds. Each case 

 is decided on its merits after personal inspection by the Dairy Supervisor of the district. (3) 

 From the Government Printer. Price is. ; postage id. 



Sowing Must.\RD with Rape. — H.J. asks the following questions relative to sowing mustard 

 with rape to top off lambs. (i) Is it recommended? (2) Does it prevent or help scouring in 

 the lambs? (3) Has it any fattening or beneficial qualities in itself? (4) Is there any par- 

 ticular kind? 



Answer. — Yes. i lb. per acre. (2) Yes. (3) Xo. (4) White Mustard. 



Applying Potash. — A.A.B. asks whether, 'in using potash for potatoes, it is better to 

 ajjply when planting or use as a top dressing. Also asks whether the application of clay to 

 sanily soils supplies potash to the land. 



Answer. — (i) The usual practice is to broadcast the manure before the potato sets have 

 been sov»*a. (2) Yes; the application of clay to sand improves the j)h\sical condition of the 

 latter. It is doubtful whether it would pay on any scale. 



Wheat for Morwell District. — G.J. inquires what would be the best wheat to grow on 

 good soil in the Morwell district. 



Anstver. — For hay purposes Dart's Imperial or White Tuscan wheat would be suitable, 

 and for grain purposes, Federation. Any reliable seedsman can furnish seed. 



Potato Manlres. — W.J. (Foster) asks what is the best artificial manure for potatoes and 

 how it should be applied. 



Answer. — The results of exiieriments with potatoes in Gippsland show that I5 cwt. of 

 ^Mr)erphosphate and ^ cwt. of sulphate of ammonia give satisfactory results on most soils. 

 The manures may be applied broadcast, and lightly harrowed in before the sets are planted. 



Sowing Lucerne. — E.D. inquires re sowing lucerne. (i) When to sow? (2) How to 

 remove dodder seed, if present? (3) What drill should be used? 



Answer. — (i) There is more chance of success with autumn sowing than spring. {2) Fine 

 screens will remove dodder seed. (3) Any grain drill with grass seed attachment will sow 

 lucerne. 



Distribution of Trees. — J.E.B. asks whether trees are distributed by the Department of 

 Agriculture. 



Answer. — No. Surplus trees are, however, distributed annually airong farmers and 

 others by the Department of State Forests. Application must be made to the Conservator of 

 Forests, Melbourne, during the month of May in each year. 



Wild O.ats. — B.W. writes : — " Late last winter I fallowed a paddock that had not been 

 ploughed for three years. I have now put in clean seed wheat and the wild oats have come 

 up thickly." 



Answer. — The seed of wild oats mav remain several vears in the ground before germinat- 

 ing. The only way to get rid of them is to cut the crop before the oats ripen and let the 

 land go out of cultivation for a year or so. 



Cutting the Frog. — B.\V. wishes to know whether, when shoeing a horse, the frog should 

 be cut or pared. 



Answer. — Leave the frog alone, and if the horse is properly shod it will wear down into 

 sJiape. 



Lucerne Growing. — J.M.W. (N.Z.) in(iuires re suitable soil for, and feeding of young 

 jjigs, with lucerne. 



Answer. — Lucerne thrives well on most well drained soils. It is best sown in autumn 

 or spring on a well prepared seed bed. For feeding young pigs it mav be hand cut or grazed. 



