10 Sept., 1919.] Reminders. 675 



General. 



It is most important that ploughing should be completed as early as 

 possible. In the past, it has verr frequently happened that, owing to delaying 

 the ploughing, the orchard and the fruit crop have both suffered very 

 considerably. It is absolutely necessary to cultivate the surface early, to 

 take advantage of the moist surface and consequent easy ploughing ; and 

 also to conserve as large an amount ot moisture in the soil as possible. The 

 longer the ploughing is delayed, the less amount of moisture is retained in 

 the soil for summer use. Deferred ploughing certainly means dry soil, 

 enfeebled trees, and diminished results. Early ploughing gives exactly 

 opposite results ; the earlier the ploughing, the more soil water is conserved. 



When the ploughing is completed, the clods should be crashed, and the 

 land harrowed, so that a fine earth mulch may be obtained. The orchard 

 surface should be kept as level as possible, and no irregular ridging or 

 furrows should be allowed. 



All cover crops planted to supply humus to the soil should now be 

 ploughed in. If the plants are of a leguminous nature, the best time to 

 plough these in is when they are in full flower. If the growth has been at 

 all excessive or rank, the crop may be rolled before ploughing ; or it may be 

 cut or mowed with a mowing machine. Every care should be taken that 

 the plants should be distributed evenly over the ground, and large quanti- 

 ties in a mass should not be ploughed -under. Artificial and stable manures 

 may also be given to the trees at this time. These should be applied before 

 ploughing. 



Grafting. 



The work of grafting should be completed early in the month. The 

 most useful method of re- working old trees is to cut the heai right ofE, 

 leaving only the stump. Then grafts can be put in according to the 

 fanc\^ of the grower. The old method of cleft grafting has been super- 

 seded by the bark or crown graft. The latter method doe ■ not cause 

 anv damage to the wood and thus, with care, no rotting can take plice. 

 The best method of bark grafting is the saddle graft ; that is, the graft is 

 inserted in the bark and a strip of bark is carried right across the trunk and 

 inserted in the bark on the opposite side. This method is much slower 

 th n the ordinar / bark graft, but it insures a much quicker heuling over the 

 old stump. 



REMINDERS FOR OCTOBER. 



Live Stock, 



Cattle. — Except on rare occasions, ruys may now be used on cows at night 

 only. Continue giving hay or straw, if possible, to counteract the effect of green 

 grass. Be prepared for milk fever. Read article in Year-liook of Agriculture, 

 1905, page 314. Give calves a dry slied and a good grass run. Continue 

 giving milk at blood heat to calves. Be careful to keep utensfts clean, or 

 diarrhoea will result. Do not give too much milk at a time for the same reason. 

 Feed regularly with regard to quantity and time. Give a cup of limewater in the 

 milk to each calf, also place crushed oats or lucerne hay in a trough so that they 

 can eat at will. 



Sow maize for summer feeding and ensilage, also Japanese millet for grazing 

 during dry summer months. Mow surplus grass for hay. If cut when the grass 

 or trefoils are in bloom, grass hay will be as good fodder as any cerial hay. If 

 top-dressed with phosphatic or farm yard manure, good returns will be obtained 

 from grass hay; it has also the great advantage that mice will not work in it. 

 Cut 1 acre for each cow in the herd; it will keep until the next drought if pro- 

 tected from the weather. 



Pigs. — Supply plenty of bedding in warm, well-ventilated styes. Keep styes 

 clean and dry, and feeding troughs clean and wholesome. Sows suckling young 



