64 Journal of Agriculture. [10 Jan., 1910. 



wealth Analyst, in bees from colonies affected bv dwindling occurring 

 at many bee farms in Victoria. Several cages of healthy live bees and 

 bees from affected hives were examined in October last. The intestines of 

 the healthy bees were found to contain no parasite; in every diseased bee 

 the intestines presented a milky appearance, their contents showing enor- 

 mous numbers of an organism similar to Nosema apis. Experiments 

 carried out with the object of infecting healthy bees by feeding them with 

 honey which had been mixed with the intestinal contents of affected bees 

 were completely successful ; nearly all the bees so inoculated were found 

 dead after two to five days, while a few succumbed in less than 24 hours 

 after inoculation. In all of the bees which died after inoculation the 

 specific organism was found to be present in large numbers. In many 

 instances the major portion of the intestinal contents of these dead bees 

 resembled a pure culture of the organism. Without the help of the 

 microscope, the disease could be readilv diagnosed bv the pecullnr and 

 milk}- colouration of the intestinal contents. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Lime Dressings. — l-'.H. inquires as to quantity of lime recommended for 

 (i) crab-holey coimtry, and (2) loamy country (wheat-growing), where the soil is 

 deficient in lime. He also r.sks when the lime should be applied. 



Ansivcr. — (i) It is not possible to name any exact amount of lime per acre 

 for crab-holey land. From 4 to 6 cwt. of lime or up to i ton per acre of gvpsum 

 would be a serviceable amount to begin with. (iypsum or Copi is found in many 

 jiarts of the Mallee, notably at Jeparit. It would be advisable to find out what 

 would be the cost per ton delivered at the local railway station. (2) Loamy soils 

 do not ref|uire the same amounts of lime as clay or sand. A modification of the 

 above dressings would serve the purpose. (3) Lime should always be applied in 

 the autumn or winter and at least three weeks before seed is sown. It can be 

 rapidly and efficiently spread by sowing through an ordinary grain drill and' 

 afterwards harrowed. Never plough lime in. If time permits, fallow as early 

 as possible, say June or July, and apply the lime or gypsum immediately after, 

 before the land is harrowed. 



Br.ACK Spot. — D.E.F. asks whether, in spraying for Black Spot, it is advis- 

 able with all varieties to wait until the first flower buds open. 



Answer. — To be most effective, Bordeaux mixture should be applied in all' 

 cases when the buds are bursting and showing colour. Given the necessary heat 

 and moisture, spores left undestroyed by a fungicide will germinate at any time. 



Variegation of Foliage of Apple Tree. — F.C.G. wishes to know the caus^ 

 of the leaves on Jonathan apple trees becoming variegated. 



Answer. — The variegation of the foliage of Jonathan and other varieties of 

 apple trees is due to the non-production of the green colouring matter in the cells 

 of the leaves owing to a deficiency of available iron in the soil. This condition 

 of the foliage is called Chlorosis. Occasional waterings with a solution of 

 sulphate of iron in water will remedy the trouble, using the iron at the rate of 

 half an ounce to one gallon of water. If the chlorosis be general in the orchard, 

 fork in amongst the feeding roots from f lb. to I5 lbs. of sulphate of iron, according 

 tc the size of the tree and the extent of discolouration. 



Fencing. — J.J: asks the following questions : — (i) " Can A, who has land' 

 adjoining Crown lands, use some of the timber in erecting the divisional fence?" 

 (2) " Must A erect the whole of the fence?" 



Answer. — (i) If A desires to obtain the timber from a forest or Crown lands 

 (protected forest) he would have to obtain a permit from the Forests Department 

 and pay royalty. (2) Ves. The law relating to fences is dealt with in the- 

 September, rgo7, issue of the Journal. "Copies of the Fences Acts may be 

 obtained from the Government Printer, Melbourne, for is. 3d. ; postage id. 



Lice on Cow. — R.H.C. asks why a white cow is more susceptible than a 

 coloured one to lice. 



Answer. — There is usually more dandruff on the skin of a white cow and at 

 times considerable crust from what might be termed sunburn, all acting as \ good 

 liarbour for vermin. 



