318 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 May, 1916. 



iucalculable. Organic matter, such as stable manure, introduced into 

 the soil quickly becomes humus; this greatly ameliorates and improves 

 soil conditions. It is impossible to say what quantity of stable manure 

 is necessary per acre; that alone can be determined by each circumstance. 

 Orchards in different climates and in different soils will require differing 

 quantities. A too liberal use of stable manure will be over-stimulating 

 in most cases ; while an escess beyond what is necessary for present use 

 will only be waste, as humus is readily lost from the soil, once it is in 

 an available food form. 



It has been pointed out in these notes previously that an improved 

 physical condition is far more profitable to the fruit-grower than the 

 continued use of manures. A tree will be far more productive if it is 

 happy in its soil conditions; unoomfortable conditions will always result 

 in un^orosperous trees. 



A dressing of lime, vising about 4 or 5 cwt. per acre, is of great value 

 in stiff or heavy orchard lands; and it may be given at this season. The 

 lime, which must be fresh, should be distributed in small heaps between 

 the trees, covered with a layer of soil, and allowed to remain for a few 

 days before ploughing or harrowing in. 



Pests. 



The advice given last month for spraying should be followed, particu- 

 larly where any oil emulsions or washes are to be used. 



Orchards will benefit if an attack is now made upon the Codlin moth. 

 All hiding places, nooks, and crannies, where the larvae have hidden, 

 should be thoroughly searched and cleaned out. The orchardist has far 

 more time now to do this work than he will have in the spring time. 



General Work. 



Drainage systems should now be extended with as little loss of time 

 as possible. 



New planting areas should be prepared, and" subsoiled or trenched 

 wherever possible. 



The Vegetable Garden, 



Weeds must be kept down in the vegetable garden. Weeds are 

 generally free growing at this season ; their growth is very insidious, and 

 they will crowd out the young seedlings or planis in a very quick time. 

 Hoeing and hand weeding must be resorted to, preferably hoeing. The 

 frequent use of the hoe in winter time is of much benefit in the vegetable 

 garden. A varied assortment of crops is now being produced; and if 

 these can be kept growing much better crops will result. The soil 

 quickly stagnates in the winter, and the only way to prevent this is to 

 keep the surface stirred. Thus, a double service is performed with the 

 aid of the hoe. 



The application of lime is of great necessity at this season. In addi- 

 tion to amending unhealthy and unsiiitable soil conditions, liire is par- 

 ticularly useful as an insecticide. It assists in destroying both eggs and 

 insects in immense numbers, that would breed and live in the ground 

 ready to do damage to all classes of vegetable crops. Therefore, 

 wherever possible, the soil should receive an application of lime. The 



