510 Journal of A f/riculture, Victoria. [10 Aug., 1916- 



should be completed as early as possible. This mixture has a certain 

 value as a fungicide, and it is well worth trying on peach trees that 

 have been affected with the leaf curl ; more especially in view of the fact 

 that in some districts severe burning has occurred in peach orchards as 

 a result of using Bordeaux mixture late in the season. 



Where peach aphis has appeared, it will be advisable to spray at 

 once with a strong nicotine solution. Tobacco stems should be soaked 

 in cold water for some days, adding a teaspoonful of caustic soda to a 

 cask of steeping stems. The liquid should be made strong, and every 

 endeavour should be made to kill out the first insects that appear. 



The pruning of deciduous trees should be at an end this month. 

 The pruning of evergreens such as oranges, lemons, and guavas, may be 

 left until later. 



Young deciduous trees should be planted not later than this month. 

 The soil should be trodden firm round the roots, and, when planting^ 

 has been completed, the tree should be headed back to three or four 

 buds on each arm. 



Preparation may be made for planting citrus and other evergresn 

 trees. The soil should be well ploughed and sweetened in anticipation 

 of planting in September and October. 



In root-borer affected districts, the beetles will begin to appear 

 during the latter part of the month. A close observance should be 

 kept on them and the insects should be regularly collected and destroyed. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



The plots should be well dug over at this time, adding gypsum or 

 lime where any pests have been prevalent. In other beds stable manure 

 should be well worked into the soil. 



The soil should be rich, well worked, and warm, so that a quick 

 growth niay result. Vegetables grown quickly are generally more 

 tender than slowly grown ones; and frequent changes of crops in the 

 plots will give better results. At this season, the weeds will require 

 constant checking; frequent use of the hoe will, therefore, be neces- 

 sary, and in the rows band-weeding should be resorted to. 



All seedlings should be planted out, especially seedlings of cabbage, 

 cauliflower, lettuce, and onion. Seeds of peas, carrots, parsnips, radish, 

 lettuce, tomato, and broad beans may be sown. 



Where they can be sheltered and protected from frosts, young tomato 

 plants may be planted out for early fruiting. One method of managing 

 these early plants is to place the young plant a few inches below the 

 surface, and then a box, 8 or 9 inches deep, with top and bottom re- 

 moved, over the plant at ground level. This can then be covered 

 loosely with a piece of glass whenever necessary. 



Potatoes, artichokes, and asparagus crowns may be planted. 

 Asparagus beds should be kept free from weeds; they shouM have a 

 loose surface, and a light top dressing with old manure would be 

 beneficial. 



Ill the frames, cucumbei, vegetable marrow, melon, pumpkin, water 

 and rock melon seeds may be planted. These are best planted in pots, 

 placing three or four seeds in each pot. They then suffer no check 

 when being transplanted into beds. 



