542 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Aug., 1909. 



Ulcerated Penis of Horse.— J.']", isks wiiat treatment is recommended for 

 ulceration of the penis. He thinks that tlie injury was caused by a driver cruellv 

 cuttinjj the horse with his whip under the flank. ' At times the 'sheath swells up 

 tremendously, and a bad smell arises from the scat of the injurv. 



Answer. — It would be advisable to have the parts thoroughlv cleansed with 

 a solution of lysol and water; then cauterize the wounds with nitrate of silver. 

 Care should be used when applying the nitrate of silver, otherwise healthy tissues 

 may be destroyed. The wound should be slii^htlv touched with the caustic once 

 every third or fourth day. 



Mussel Scale. — S.J. asks what treatment is recommended for mussel scale on 

 apple trees. 



Atiswer. — Spray with crude jJetroleum oil emulsion in winter at a strength of 

 I part of emulsion to 9 parts of water. To make emulsion, boil one gallon of water 

 and 2 lbs. of soft soap until soap is dissolved, then add 2 gallons of crude petroleum 

 oil and bring to boil. Agitate violently until emulsified. 



Best Spray for Codlin Moth. — G.S. asks which is considered the best sprav 

 and when it should be appljlied. 



Answer. — The best spray for Codlin Moth is arsenate of lead and the best 

 times to spray are (i) When petals fall, [z] When eggs of moth are present on 

 fruit or leaves. (3) At intervals of 10 to 14 days, two more sprayings. (4) In 

 February, to catch late summer brood. 



These are general instructions, and must be modified according to local 

 habits of the moth. 



Manuring Vines. — R.G. (Hopetoun) asks several questions relative to manuring 

 vines. 



Answer. — In a general way it is advantageous to manure as early as possible 

 — before the first winter ploughing. In the case of chemical fertilizers, phosphoric 

 acid and potash cannot be applied too early. Readily available nitrogenous manures, 

 such as sulphate of ammonia or nitrates, should be applied later on in early spring. In 

 France, an application of manure which contains, per acre, 80 lbs. nitrogen, 40 lbs. 

 potash, and 120 lbs. phosphoric acid is considered a very heavy dressing. It would 

 not be judicious to exceed these quantities, especially as regards nitrogen. A 

 complete manure, that is, one containing potash and nitrogen in addition to phos- 

 phoric acid, will give the best results. Nitrogenous manure should be applied' 

 separately. 



Value of Kainit. — R.K. asks whether kainit is best used by itself or mixed 

 with other manures. 



Answer. — Kainit is an impure form of potash containing 12^ per cent, of 

 potash and fairly considerable projiortions of common salt. It has a circum- 

 scribed value for root crops or vegetables, but its value for most other crops is 

 minor one. The great majority of the soils of Victoria contain abundant supplies- 

 of magnesia. Thorough cultivation of the land will do more to increase the pro- 

 duction of crops than expensive forms of artificial manures. Kanit can with safety 

 be mixed with all manures. If added to Thomas ]>hosphate or lime, the mixing 

 should be done just prior to use. 



Manure for Oat Crop. — R.E.S. asks which is the most suitable manure for 

 growing oats for hay in the Box Hill district. The soil is poor, and appears to 

 contain a large percentage of clay. It appears to be suitable for fruit trees, but it 

 takes a lot of working to get it nice and mellow. 



Answer. — Artificial manures should not be expected to effect an improvement 

 in the physical character of the soil. If the land is stiff clay inclined to bake into 

 clods in summer, it should receive a dressing of 5 to 8 cwt. of lime per acre, as 

 well as all the farm manure obtainable. Draining would also help to make the 

 land more mellow. For oat growing a mixture of one-half each of superphosphate 

 and bonedust to the amount of i cwt. per acre would give good results. 



Cork Stripping. — A.V.B. inquires as to what time must elapse after planting 

 before the first crop of cork can be harvested. 



Answer. — The first crop of cork is usually obtained at the age of 15 years. 

 A stripping of bark for tanning purposes is often removed at 4 years old. When 

 in regular production the trees are stripped every 8 or 10 years. Under exceptionally 

 favorable circumstances a crop of cork can be stripped from 10 year old trees. 

 Carob Trees. — P.L. asks where young carob trees can be obtained. 

 Answer. — Young seedling carob trees are obtainable from the leading 

 nurserymen in Melbourne. To obtain the best results these should be budded 

 with the heaviest bearing varieties. Many of the seedling trees produce male 

 flow-ers only, and are therefore incapable of bearing beans. 



