638 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Oct., 1916. 



Where there are indications that previous sprayings have not been 

 thoroughly successful, a lime sulphur spray should be given. 



Wherever they are present, nicotine sprays should be given to 

 combat the peach aphis, and the pear and cherry slug. For the latter 

 pest, arsenate of lead should not be used if the cherries are within a 

 month of ripening. Arsenate of lead is so tenacious, and thus it is 

 likely to remain on the fruit until it is ripe, when it would be dangerous 

 to the consumer. Thus, while this property of remaining on the fruit 

 for a considerable time is of great value in the Codlin Moth spraying, 

 it is quite of the opposite value when used for the pear and cherry 

 slug. Either tobacco water or hellebore is useful for the eradication of 

 this pest, as these substances do not remain long on the trees, and they 

 are quite as effective as arsenate of lead. 



Codlin moth spraying, too, will be in evidence this month. Owing 

 to the early season, it is possible that the development of the moth will 

 take place earlier. It is generally assumed that the appearance of the 

 moth is coincident with the bursting of the flowers. This is not always 

 so — the moths frequently come slightly later than the blooming period. 

 Owing to the rapid expansion of the fruit, it is well to follow the first 

 spraying with a second in a weak or ten days' time. Arsenate of lead 

 is still the spray for the Codlin moth, nothing having been found to 

 supersede it. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



A good tilth, and a well-pulverized soil, are the main soil necessities 

 in the vegetable garden this month. Frequent cultivations will keep 

 in the soil moisture, and will obviate the necessity for surface watering.-. 

 At the same time, it should be remembered that the vegetable garden 

 requires more water than the flower garden, owing to the quick growth 

 of the plants. Quickly-grown vegetables are more tender and more 

 luscious than slowly-grown ones : thus a good water supply will need 

 to be maintained. Weeds are great moisture-robbers, and they should 

 be kept out of the vegetable garden at this time of the year. 



Late plantings of tomatoes may now be carried out ; all early-planted 

 plants should be fed, staked, and the laterals pinched back. A little 

 bone-dust or superphosphate may be given, but these are not equal to 

 animal manures, if the latter are available. Chemical manures should 

 only be given in limited quantities, 6 or 7 cwt. per acre would be a 

 heavy dressing, and this works out at nearly 3 ozs. per square yard. 

 Vegetable growers may easily try this for themselves, and it will soon 

 be seen that 3 ozs. scattered over a square yard of surface will appear 

 to be a very light dressing. 



French beans, carrot, parsnip, celery, radish, peas, and turnip seeds 

 may now be sown. Seeds of cucumber, melon, and pumpkin family 

 may now be ' sown in the open ground. All seedlings may be trans- 

 planted on favorable days, and it will be well to sprinkle the tops as 

 well as to water the roots. 



Asparagus beds may be top-dressed with manure, and ke]Dt well 

 weeded. Such weak growths that are not gathered for eating should 

 be cut out of the beds. 



Celery trenches will require attention at this time of the year; and 

 to insure good, quick growth, frequent waterings will be necessary. 



