ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff 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. 



Aniseed Growing. — Aniseed is imported into Victoria from various sources, and finds ready 

 sale at 25s. to 28s. per cwt., and frequently higher. The oil of anise is worth about 6s. per 

 lb., and should find ready sale also. Aniseed is frequently confused with Fennel, which is 

 used for much the same purposes and ranges near the same price. In cases where doubt exists 

 as to the identity of the plants, specimens should be sent to the Agricultural Department for 

 identification. 



Soils — Liter.\ture on their Tre.WMENT. — The Principles of Agriculture (Bailey) and The 

 Fertility of the Land (Roberts) both clearly explain the principles of soil treatment. These 

 books may be procured through leading booicseliers at a cost of 6s. each. 



Heavy v. Light Dressings of Superphosphate. — A Broadmeadows correspondent remarks 

 that in the Journal of May, 1904, on " Field Experiments in Manurin;^, 1903-4," the use of 

 I, 2, or 3 cwts. of superphosphates per acre is advocated ; another report in the Journal 

 of March, 1908, holds that from 50 to 70 lbs. per acre is sufficient. Taking these two articles 

 as a basis it is asked whether it is advisable in the treatment of land, which has been cropped 

 for many years to force it into a state of fertilitv by the ;i[>p,ication of i cwt. or more of super- 

 phosphates, or by the more gradual process of thorough cultivation, and a moderate applica- 

 tion of fertilizer each vear. 



The heavy dressings of manures spoken of in the Journal of May, 1904, have reference to- 

 fodder crops grown in southern Victoria, while the light application of superphosphate has 

 reference to wheat crops for grain only in the dry north. Thorough cultivation, rotation of 

 crops and stock keeping are recommended as being the most economical and permanent methods- 

 of improving the producing capacity of light soils. Artificial fertilizers should not be relied 

 upon exclusively. 



Maize Manure in Yarram District. — For the Yarram district on soil of average quality 

 I cwt. superphosphate, and 5 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia would be suitable for maize for 

 fodder. 



Potato Scab. — Corrosive sublimate is recommended for scab in potatoes. The matter is 

 fully dealt with in this issue of the Journal opposite page 576, and also in the Report of the 

 Department for 1905-7, page 34. 



Spraying POT.\toes. — For the destruction of moths s]iray the plants with Paris green — 

 I lb. Paris green, 4 lbs. lime, diluted with 160 gallons of water. The potatoes should be planted 

 in "lands" so that the spraving machine may p;iss through them. When the potatoes are in 

 the pit turn after giving a dusting each time with lime ; destroy any afl'ected tubers on the 

 spot. 



A Weak Cow. — The inability of the cow to rise is evidently only a case of weakness, 

 and after calving, no doubt, she will rise with ease. It would not be wise to give her too- 

 much medicine when near calving, but plenty of nutritious food is essential. 



Discharge after Calving. — The discharge from the womb is due to exposure and the 

 handling it received through the prolapse. Syringe out daily with a warm solution of Lysol 

 or Condy's Fluid, i per cent, solution. 



Dropsical Swelling in Brood Mare. — A mare, due to foal, develops a swelling about 

 the throat which extends to mouth and nostrils when left out to graze for a dav and night. If 

 stabled during the night the swelling greatly subsides. The swelling is a dropsical one due to 

 a weakened circulation. As she returns to full health after foaling, the swelling will not 

 reappear. She must be well fed to get her into such a condition of health as soon as possible. 



Excessive Slobbering by a Horse. — The flow of saliva is over-stimulated by some 

 irregularities of the teeth, which, if attended to by a veterinary surgeon, will stop the slobber- 

 ing. 



Measurement of Horses below the Knee. — The measurement of horses below the knee- 

 has not the significance which is usually attached to it. Ten inches is not an unusual mea- 

 surement for a medium draught horse below the knee. 



Milk Fever. — Milk fever was dealt with in the- Journal of Agriculture, of June, 1905,. 

 page 294. 



Cause of Low Condition of Cow. — The cause which keeps a cow always in low con- 

 dition, though she is well and plentifully fed carmot be determined from the description for- 

 warded. The advice of a local veterinary surgeon should be obtained. On examination, he- 

 would say whether the cause was due to disease, such as tubercle, or was to be attributed to^ 

 some other cause. 



