11 Aug., 1919.) Reminders. 511 



a pinch of jjowdered charcoal. Slightly moisten with new milk. Make the 

 whole friable, and feed frequently ("little and often") just as much as tliey will 

 readily eat, as an excess of food onlj' sours and disturbs their digestive organs. 

 Animal food may be given in small quantities after the first ten days once or 

 twice a vveek. Chickens should be protected from damp ground and the cold, 

 bleak winds. 



CULTIVATION. 



Fakm. — Plant early potatoes, and work up fallow for the main crop. Keep 

 fallow for summer forage crops well worked up with the disc and harrows. 

 Make early sowings of mangolds, beet, field carrots, and turnips. Push on with 

 the fallowing in the Northern Districts. Prepare land for tobacco seed beds 

 by burning rubbish on the site; afterwards work up to depth of three or four 

 inches. 



OrlHakd. — Commence spring ploughing; plough in leguminous crops for 

 green manure as soon as the plants are m full flower. Finish grafting early in 

 the month. Spray peach and apricot trees with copper soda as the blossom buds; 

 are opening, as a preventive of "leaf curl" and "shot hole" fungi; watch for 

 peach aphis, and sjiray when present with tobacco solution. 



Flower Garden. — Cultivate and work up the surface to a fine tilth — clear 

 out all weeds. Water newly-planted shrubs, &c., if the weather is dry. Plant 

 out cannas, early dahlias, chrysanthemums, gladioli, and other herbaceous 

 plants. 



Vegetable Garden. — Plant out seedlings. Sow seeds for summer use, such 

 as tomatoes, cucumbers, marrows, pumpkins, melons, &c. Plant out tomatoes, 

 and shelter till frosts are over. Hoe and work up the soil surface. 



Vineyard. — Plantation of young vines (grafted or ungrafted) should be 

 concluded before the commencement of September; pruning of old vines like- 

 wise, as well as tying down of rods on long-pruned vines. Prune recently- 

 planted vines just before buds commence to swell (if not pruned wlien planted), 

 cutting strongest cane back to two buds. Do not delay this work until buds 

 have shot, as this seriously weakens the young vine. Field grafting may be 

 carried out, if weather be fine and warm. If cold and wet, postpone until 

 October. Swab vines preventively with acid iron sulphate to protect them from 

 Black spot. Though only slight damage was done last season, the fungus is not 

 dead, but dormant, and is sure to re-appear should the spring be a wet one. To 

 avoid burning, swabbing must be completed before the buds commence to swell. 

 (See articles in issues of July. 1917 and 1918, reprints of which will be posted on 

 application.) Cultivation (scarifying or discing) must receive attention when 

 soil is in suitable condition. 



Cellar. — Conclude spring racking early in month, if not already done. Fill 

 up, regularly, all unfortified wines. 



MILK FOR CONSUMPTION IN TOWNS IN ENGLAND. 



From the recently issued report of tlie English Board of Agriculture, 

 it appears that 71 per cent, of the milk yield in England is sold as 

 whole milk in towns, 12 per cent, is used for butter-making, 4 per cent, 

 for cheese-making, and 1 per cent, is sold as cream. The remaining 12 

 per cent, is kept in the country for home supply. London alone con- 

 sumes 92 million gallons of whole milk per year. The total consump- 

 tion of milk in England and Wales is estimated at 731 million gallons, 

 most of which is transported by rail. The average distance of the 

 London supply is about 80 miles, but churns of fresh milk are sent 

 from places about 130 miles distant; the most distant place mentioned 

 is from Toom in Ireland, 513 miles from Euston station. 



