128 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Feb., 1919. 



REMINDERS FOR MARCH. 



Live Stock. 



Horses. — Feed as advised last month. Those in poor condition should be 

 " fed up " in anticipation of winter. 



Should hordes not be feeding well and salivating, examine mouth for grass 

 seeds. Horses running at grass are frequently affected by them. The fseeds 

 should be removed, and a mild mouth wash used. A very weak solution of 

 Condy's Fluid will answer the purpose. 



Grass seeds also cause blindness if not removed from the eye, and the 

 inflammation reduced by bathing the eye with boracic solution. A teaspoonful 

 of boracic acid to a pint of boiling water is the correct strength for the pur- 

 pose. Should a scum remain over the eye inject into the eye every other day 

 a small quantity of the following solution: — Sulphate of zinc, 4 grains; water, 

 1 pint. 



Cattle. — Cows in milk should have plenty of succulent fodder and water 

 easy of access. When cows in milk have to be fed on chaff it should be soaked 

 with about half its bulk in water from 12 to 24 hours and the necessary con- 

 centrates mixed in at time of feeding. This soaking will soften the grain in the 

 chaff, preventing its loss in the dropping, and is the nearest substitute for the 

 succulence so necessary. Algerian oats should be sown on suitable land for grazing 

 off in the winter. Sow a mixture of oats, rye, and tares or peas for winter fodder 

 or to fill silos. Only exceptional cows and those required for town milk supply 

 should be served between now and July. Within the next two or three months 

 is the best time for cows to calve, as they will pay to feed through the winter 

 and give the best returns for the season, and be dried off when the grass is 

 dry and scarce. Calves should be given lucerne hay or crushed oats where 

 grass is not available. 



Pigs. — Sows about to farrow should be provided with short bedding in well- 

 ventilated sties. See that the pigs have shade, and water to wallow in. There 

 should be plenty of cheap feed now, and pigs should be highly profitable. 



Sheep. — All ewes should be kept strong for lambing. Crutch round taila 

 and lessen accumulation of discharge, and consequent attraction to the fly pest 

 at lambing time. Clear wool from round udders and teats and thereby save 

 many a lamb in bad weather; especially is this necessary in the case of young 

 ewes of the Merino and Lincoln crosses. Clear wool from eyes also. In crunching 

 ewes wlion close to lambing lay them over carefully, grasp by the thigh low 

 down, not by the flank as is generally done. Pure British breeds of ewes and 

 very coarse cross-breds may still be only coming in season; rams should be left 

 mated to make sure. Clean excessive wool and stains from ewes, and burr and 

 stains from rams to ensure service. Peserve good paddocks, if autumn be 

 favorable, for ewes with early-born lambs. Where possible, castrate the rana 

 lambs immediately. Good prices will be available for this class again this 

 winter. 



PouLTEY. — Cull out the drones and get rid of surplus cockerels. Keep 

 forward pullets well fed — eggs are rising in value. Repairs to houses should 

 be done this month. Thoroughly cleanse all houses and pens. Spray ground 

 and houses with a 5 per cent, solution of crude carbolic acid. This will act as 

 a safeguard against chicken pox; burn all refuse and old feathers. Provide a 

 liberal supply of green food. For each moulting hen, add a teapsoonful of 

 linseed to the morning mash. Use tonic in mash, which should be kept in cool 

 shady spot. 



Cultivation. 



Fabm. — Work fallow where possible for autumn sowing of cereals. Sow 

 winter fodder crops, such as rye, barley, and vetches. Prepare land for lucerne 

 plots for autumn seeding. Make silage of maize and other crops for winter use. 



Orchard. — Prepare new land for planting; plough deeply and subsoil; leave 

 surface rough. Plant out strawberries after first rain. Plant. crops for green 

 manure. Continue to fight the Codlin Moth. 



Vegetable Garden. — Prepare ground for winter crops. Plant out seedlings 

 in moist soil. Sow cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, early peas, swede turnip, beet, 

 carrot, radish, and early onions. 



Flower Garden. — Cultivate and water. Feed dahlias, chrysanthemums, and 

 roses. Plant out shrubs, trees, and all kinds of bul,bs. Sow hardy annuals. 

 Plant geranium and pelargonium cuttings. Spray for Aphis, Red Spider, and 

 Mildew. 



