10 Jan., 1916.] Orchard and Garden Notes. 63 



whatever, but should be continued with a regular, even growth right 

 through the season. Another desideratum is that the soil should be 

 well drained. Plants of all descriptions thrive far better in well- 

 drrined soils, and they require a far less amount of water. 



Dahlias should be kept growing with only a minimum supply of 

 v/ater, and also with a spare amount of feeding. It is not wise to 

 water them too freely until the end of February. The plants should 

 make a slow, thrifty growth till that time, encouraged by constant cul- 

 tivation with the hoe, rather than with watering. Afterwards, watering, 

 feeding, and the encouragement of surface rooting may proceed. 



A sharp look-out should be kept on these plants for attacks of red 

 spider. If this insect appears, a good spraying with tobacco solution 

 or benzole emulsion should be given to the plants. 



Constant watch will need to be kept for the various small caterpillars 

 that attack the buds of these plants. Spraying with a weak solution 

 of Paris green and lime, or similar insecticide, will be useful; hand- 

 picking should also be resorted to. 



FOXES KILLING YOUNG LAMBS. 



It occasionally occurs that a very simple contrivance may be used 

 to effectually combat a serious difficulty; but its very simplicity is apt 

 to give rise to scepticism in the minds of many who should be only 

 too glad to avail themselves of its use, and through this its value may 

 remain untested. Instances of this have occurred in connexion with 

 the idea of using bells on lambing ewes to scare foxes. It is fully fifteen 

 years since this was first mentioned in the agricultural notes of the 

 Melbourne weekly press, yet it is so simple a device that its effectiveness 

 is questioned, and consequently it is seldom tried or spoken of. It is, 

 however, a fact that if ordinary bullock bells, costing about Is. each, 

 are strapped on the necks of two or three ewes per 100 in the lamb- 

 ing flock, there will be no trouble with foxes killing the lambs. The 

 bell should be put on close up to lambing date, and taken off again 

 after the lambs have recovered from the marking, and are fairly strong 

 and active, for to leave the bells on throughout the year is likely to 

 result in the foxes becoming accustomed to the noise. 



So little publicity has been given to this simple method of protect- 

 ing the lambs, that it is still unheard of in many quarters even to date. 

 In the lambing season, 1914, the foxes were causing considerable losses 

 on the Mount Cotterill Estate, Kockbank ; but on hearing my experi- 

 ence with bells, Mr. Charles Holden at once put them into use, with 

 the result that the lamb killing stopped, and they have been used there 

 effectively again this year. Mr. Ilolden states that through his experi- 

 ence several other sheoi)-owners have tried tlie device this year, and 

 they, also, have proved its efficacy. 



REMINDERS FOR FEBRUARY. 

 Live Stock. 



TfoRSES: At grass. — Supplement dry f;rass, if possible, with some {freenstufT. 

 Provide plenty of imre water and shade sliclter. hi stnhlr. — Supplement liard 

 feed with some f;rc'OiiHtu(r, carrots, or tlic like, and give a hrnii mash ome a week 

 at least. Avoid over-stimiilating foods, such as maize and barley. Give liard 



