226 Journal of Agriculture. [i i April, 1910. 



the cellars are not visible in the photograph), shown again in No. 3 in 

 which is to be seen, at the angle of the building, one of the Eucalypts 

 often cut down by severe winter frosts. In this photograph, as well as in 

 No. 4, which shows the Director's (M. Ferrouillat) residence, are to be 

 .seen some palms {Chamcerops excelsa), plants which constitute an unusual 

 feature in most other parts of France. 



No. 5 shows the silk building {Station Sericicole) also visible in the 

 centre of photograph No. i . It bears testimony to the importance of the 

 silk industry in southern France; an industry which will some day also 

 prove a source of wealth to our Commonwealth. 



Past failures have caused us. to .regard sericulture as an industry for 

 which there is no hope of success under Australian conditions. It is at 

 best only an auxiliary industry, but one which, in these days of closer 

 settlement, merits attention. By a little extra work during five or six 

 weeks in the year, the women and children of a settler's familv could 

 easily earn their ^20 or ^30 cheque — a sum surely worth considering. 

 The importance given to this branch at Montpellier proves the value of 

 the industry to France and, incidentally, its potentialities in Victoria. 



(To be continued.) 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Blildixg for Bacon-CURIXG. — ^W.H. asks what class of building is recom- 

 mended. 



Answer. — A brick building with brick and cement tanks is preferred. The 

 tanks should be built 3 feet under the floor level of and 3 ft. 6 in. above, the inside 

 measurement to be 4 feet square. One tank will hold seven pigs. The front of the 

 building should face the south, and there should be ample provision for ventilation. 

 Bank up the wall on the north side so as to keep out the north winds. 



Milk for Pigs.' — W.H. asks whether sweet or curdled milk is the better food 

 for pigs. 



Answer. — Sweet milk. 



Ascertaining Pregnancy. — W.H. wishes to know if there is any way of 

 ascertaining whether a milking cow is in calf. 



Answer. — There is no very reliable way until the cow is somewhat advanced 

 when an examination may be made. Some men by constant practice become rather 

 expert. 



Tympanitis. — R.M.V. writes, '" My neighbour tells me that he has lost a cow 

 through her eating pears. She was 'blown' and he blamed the pears. Is that 

 possible ?" 



Answer. — An excess of almost any succulent food when a cow is not used 

 to it may produce Tympanitis, so it is quite possible the pears were the cause in 

 the case stated by you. 



Pony Pawing. — X.Y.Z. asks what is the cause of a pony pawing. Her pony, 

 when standing, soon makes a hole in the ground through pawing. He also trips 

 frequently when travelling. 



Answer. — Without an examination, it is hard to state the cause of your pony 

 pawing. It may be merely habit, or it may be owing to some soreness in the limbs 

 and aij effort to get his feet on the side of a hole to rest them. More than likely 

 it is habit only. 



Castor On. Plant. — ].C.W. inquires whether the seeds of the Castor Oil 

 plant are injurious to stock. 



Answer. — The seeds of the Castor Oil plant [Rici7Uis communis) are poisonous, 

 and castor oil cake is generally regarded as injurious to cattle. Cases are known 

 of cattle being injured or killed by fresh seeds, or the oil cake, and 3 to 20 seeds 

 have been recorded as killing human beings. The pure cold drawn oil is not 

 poisonous, and is only a mild purgative. 



