i8o Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo March, 1912.. 



The present season has been entirely opposite to that of last year, when- 

 summer and early autumn rains were abundant, and the first opportunity 

 must be taken to open up the soil to- let the moisture in. 



Planting. 



It is advisable to open up and prepare early the new areas for plant- 

 ing. If at all possible, the soil should be well aerated and sweetened 

 before planting. It is possible to grow young trees in freshly opened soil, 

 but the general experience is against such work, it being preferable to have- 

 the soil as sweet as possible for the young orchard. In anticipation of 

 planting, the soil at first need only be ploughed roughly, and it should not: 

 be afterwards harrowed. 



Straivberries. 



Strawberries may be planted during the month. If planted early, they 

 become established this season, and so are enabled to bear a light crop in 

 the springtime. Strawberries require good soil ; new .soil, or old grass land 

 is always preferable. 



In planting, ample room should be left for cultivation between the 

 rows, as all weeds should be kept down. 



Pest.':. 



No codlin-moth-affected, or diseased fruit of any kind should be left 

 on the ground after the crop has been gathered. These should all be 

 destroyed by boiling. 



Rust infested plum and peach leaves, as well as all foliage of stone 

 fruits that have been attacked by this and other fungus diseases, such as 

 shot hole, &c., should be burned if possible. This will minimize the 

 possibility of future attacks. 



The same treatment should be given to foliage where either red spider- 

 or the bryobia mite have been in evidence. 



Vegetable Garden. 



Autumn weeds must be kept out of the kitchen garden. These rapidly 

 grow, and remain as robbers r'ght through till springtime. It is doubtful 

 whether any chemical means should be taken to keep the weeds in check 

 in this section. Both red oil emulsion and the lime-sulphur wash have been 

 used for this purpose ; but the work is only in an experimental stage, and 

 this treatment cannot be generally recommended. It will be best for the- 

 present to resort to hoeing or to hand weeding. 



The section should be well dug over for planting the winter crops. 

 Before digging, a light sprinkling of bone dust, and a good top dressing of 

 stable manure should be spread on the surface. These may then be dug 

 in, as they provide humus for the soil. 



Large plots should be avoided in winter; where such occur, a path 

 should be run down the centre. This will provide more efficient drainage. 

 The beds too may be more raised than in the summer time. 



Early onions may be planted out in the beds, and if not already done, 

 onion seeds should be planted at once. 



All classes of seedlings may be planted out; and .seeds of lettuce, early 

 peas, beet, carrot, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, and swede turnip may be- 

 sown. 



Asparagus beds should be cleaned out and cut down as soon as the- 

 berries begin to colour. Celery rows should be kept earthed up ; rhubarh 



