232 Joitnut] of Agriciilfiire, Victoria. flO April, 1916. 



enemies are scale insects and borers. The oak family is very subject to 

 attack from the oak scale (Flanchonia quercicola), but this, and, in 

 fact all scales, may be kept in check with the oil emulsions which have 

 become so popular as contact remedies for sucking insect®. One of the 

 main principles in the successful treatment of scale and other insects 

 of like nature is not to allow them to become firmly established on trees 

 before attacking them. The strength of sprays used will be governed by 

 the kind of tree attacked — evergreens requiring a much weaker strength 

 than trees of a deciduous character sprayed while dormant. 



Vigilance is also required with successful treatment of tree borers. 

 As soon as the first boring is noticed a piece of wire should be inserted 

 into hole and grub removed. If this is not possible a small \nece of 

 cotton wool, with a few drops of bisulphide of carbon, should be placed 

 in hole which then requires to be plugged with putty, cement, or plaster 

 of paris. 



Bordeaux mixture will rid trees of lichen or any fungus diseases 

 which may attack trees. 



Conclusion. 



It is thus recognised that trees are essential to our well being, pro- 

 ducing as they do health and happiness to all — aptly described " The 

 buildings of God." They are in short not only a local, but also an 

 asset of national importance, whether they be planted in public street, 

 park, or on private land. Therefore tree planting should receive the 

 greatest encouragement from all who realize their duty, not only to 

 themselves, but also to posterity. To walk through our beautiful public 

 parks and gardens, with their delightful shade and ornamental trees, is 

 to be reminded of those men of former days who made tree planting 

 and the beautifying of the landscape their life-work. 



It may not be ours to perform such great things as they did, but 

 if we do what we can, in regard to tree planting, both privately and 

 publicly, we shall earn the gratitude of future generations by not failing 

 in our duty to them and to ourselves. 



[Some of the illustrations have already appeared in Journal of Agricul- 

 ture for July, 1910, when Messrs. A. W. Crooke and J. Blackburne 

 wrote in a very entertaining and practical manner on a similar subject. 

 — Editor.] 



RECLAMATION OF PLAIN LAND IN SOUTH 

 GIPPSLAND. 



By Temple A. J. Smith, Chief Field Officer. 



In the neighbourhood of Foster, and many other parts of Southern 

 Gippsland, there are thousands of acres of land at present put to no 

 useful purpose, excepting that of grazing a few head of cattle. These 

 areas consist of low-lying country covered with ti-tree and small gum 

 scrub — the land in many cases is waterlogged during the winter months. 

 Other portions of the plain country are undulating, covered with a 

 similar growth, and though hilly, are in most cases in need of drainage. 



