10 March, 1919.] Apple Culture in Victoria. 157 



The spores, which are more easily destroyed during The germinating 

 stage, mostly attack the upper surface of a]tple leaves. The spray may 

 be applied with considerable force, and the operation should be con- 

 tinued until the tree is thoroitghly drenched. Owing to the caustic 

 nature of the Bordeaux, the aseospores on the leaves before spraying 

 commenced are rendered harmless, the development of fusicladium is 

 arrested, and the deposit, while effective, acts as a preventive against 

 spores finding a lodgment on the leaves or on the fruit sttbsequently. In 

 dealing with later visitations of this disease, Avhich often occurs in com- 

 paratively wet seasons, the strength of the mixture may be reduced to, 

 say, 6-4-SO, or even weaker, Avhen treating varieties Avhose fruits have 

 tender rind. In fact, most growers, because of the tendency of tlie 

 Bordeaux mixture to cause russeting of the Jonathan, use lime sulphur 

 exclusively on this variety. The ferrocyanide test will enable the 

 orchardist to determine whether the Bordeaux, when- made ready for 

 use, contains sufficient lime, and thus reduces the chances of injuring tlie 

 young leaves and flower buds. To make the test, dissolve 1 oz. ferro- 

 cyanide of potassium in a little water, and keep same in a bottle; add a 

 few drops of this to a small quantity of the mixture placed in a glass 

 to be tested. Should Ijrownish discolouration occur, tlien the mixture 

 lacks sufficient lime, and milk of lime should be added until no dis- 

 colouration is apparent. 



(To he eontiiuied.) 



POULTRY MANURE. 



This manure is rich in plant food, and if properly dried and stored 

 in old sacks or casks it is said to be worth about four times as much as 

 farmyard manure, and Avhere there are a number of fowls kept it forms 

 a considerable item in their yield. Since the advent of the motor car, 

 stable manure is becoming scarcer every- year, and it behoves all who keep 

 fowls to save the manure. It should always be methodically saved by the 

 small poultry-keeper as well, for a little concentrated manure for special 

 uses is a very handy thing |^o have about a garden. It should never be 

 used fresh, owing to its burning tendency, and its value is about double 

 when it has been allowed to dry in the air. Once dry, it is best stored in 

 a barrel, mixing in a little soot as the barrel is being filled up, and if not 

 Avanted for immediate use, a covering of dry soil should be placed on top. 

 The manure is always more potent when it is spread on the soil, and for 

 that reason should be stored in a dry shed. Som.etimes a slight smell is 

 noticeable when the manure is stored loosely, but if equal parts of 

 manure and dry soil are mixed together little or no smell is noticed. An 

 excellent liquid manure can be made by mixing some of the contents of 

 the barrel with an equal quantity of soot, putting it in a piece of sacking 

 and soaking it in water. for a few days. About an ounce of dry manure 

 and an ounce of soot are usually sufficient for a gallon of water, but 

 experiments should be made each for himself as to the suitable strength 

 for the plants in question, starting with a weak solution, and strengthen- 

 ing it if it seems advisable in later applications, but the above propor- 

 tions are suitable for the majority of vegetables. 



— Auchland WeeMij Xews. 



