546 Joiiriial of Agriculture. [10 Aug.. 1910. 



CUPRESSUS Lambertiana Horizontalis. — M.K. asks whether pro^nigation by 

 means of cuttinGjs is practicable. 



Answer. — It is extremely difficult to grow from cuttings. Nurserymen with 

 every convenience and appliance only get from 5 to 10 per cent. The usual method 

 now adopted is to graft very young seedlings with wood of the horizontal variety. 

 The plants are then potted off and grown in pots till they are of the re(iuired size 

 for transplanting. 



Citrus Culture. — W.P. wishes to know whether Williamstown is suited for 

 orange and lemon trees, and also whether they rec|uire pruning. 



Answer. — The soil should be friable, sandy if possible, and thoroughly 

 drained ; aspect to be free from frosts. If these conditions exist, citrus trees 

 should grow successfully. Pruning is necessary almost every season and should be 

 carried out in summer. 



Bathurst Burr. — J.M. forwards specimen of plant for identification. 



Answer. — The specimen forwarded is Xantkiutn sfinosum, L., The Bathurst 

 Burr. It is a native of Europe, Asia, and Africa, now introduced and widely 

 spread in this State ; proclaimed under the Thistle Act for the whole State. The 

 weed is essentially a pastoral one, easily kept down by cultivation and hence par- 

 tially suppressed by combined pasturage and rotation systems. The burrs adhere 

 to the wool of sheep and seriously impair the value of fleeces, and also adhere to 

 the tails of stock and manes of horses. For further information see "Weeds, 

 Poison Plants, &c., of Victoria," price 2s. 6d, jiostage i^d. Can be obtained from 

 the Secretary for Agriculture, Melbourne. 



Hedge for Poultry Run. — H.C. asks whether there is any tiling better th .a 

 Tree Lucerne for a shelter hedge for poultry. Slower growth will not matter, as the 

 hedge will not be rerjuired for that purpose for about five years. He also asks 

 whether Black Wattles require pruning. 



Answer. — (i) Tree Lucerne is a most suitable hedge, and valuable in that the 

 clippings may be used as green feed for the poultry. If another hedge is desired 

 and is not wanted for period mentioned, Cufressiis toriilosa or Cufressiis Lamber- 

 tiana horizontalis would be very useful. (2) All weak, thin, and straggling shoots 

 and limbs may be thinned out. Always keej) the main trunk and limbs as free 

 from light wood as possible. 



Crops for Silage. — H.S. writes : — (i) Do you think that buckwlieat and 

 millet would grow as a mixed crop for silage? (2) Have you seen cow peas planted 

 with maize after the latter was up?" 



Answer. — (i) Th^ mixture is not advised, but the sowing of the following is 

 recommended : — Stout white oats, i bushel ; Cape barley, i bushel ; rye, ^ bushel ; 

 tick beans, ^ bushel ; field peas, ^ bushel. This mixture should be sown at the rate 

 of 3 bushels per acre, the tick beans and peas to be ploughed in about 2 inches deep. 

 The balance of the seeds should be mixed together and either drilled in or sown 

 broadcast. (2) Cow peas can be planted with maize and make a very satisfactory 

 ration. It would, however, be very much better if they were sown separately ; the 

 maize in drills 3 feet apart and the cow peas 2 feet apart, so as to allow for inter- 

 cultivation. The result will be a heavier return per acre of both fodders. 



Grease. — M.M. inquires as to best treatment of greasy heels in horses. 



Answer. — See page 342 of the Journal for June, igoS. 



Discharge from Nostrils. — J.W.T. writes : — "I have a horse, about 12 years 

 old, that is suffering from I take to be nasal gleet. 1'here is a copious discharge 

 of yellowish matter from both nostrils with an offensive odour, accompanied by 

 frequent snorting. He eats well but has lost condition." 



Answer. — Place in manger a bucket of boiling water, and add a small quan- 

 tity of turpentine. Tie the horse's head close over the bucket so that he will be 

 compelled to inhale the steam, for half an hour twice a day. Keep the horse warm 

 and feed warm mashes and boiled barley. 



Colic — (i) H.T. asks what is the best treatment for Colic in horses. (2) 

 B.A. states that he put a pony gelding (3 years old), reared on grass only, into 

 work and fed with chaff and oats. In about a week the pony showed slight colic 

 every evening after an hcur's work. After an interval of three weeks he was again 

 affected. 



Answer. — (i) Give in a pint of water the following : — Compound spirits of 

 immonia, i oz. ; sweet spirits of nitre, i| oz. ; laudanum, 1 oz. (2) Hard feed 

 should be given to young horses sparingly and gradually. When work requires it, 

 cats may be added to bran and chaff. Ease off hard feed and ])robably trouble 

 will not recur. 



