lOTH Ji'NE. 191 2.] A//S2L'Crs to Correspondents. 391 



Fungus in Raspberry Caxes. — W.J.S. asks if any cure has been discovered for 

 fungus in raspberry canes ? 



Anszucr. — No absolute cure known. The Government Pathologist discovered 

 that the chief factors in prevention were drainage, and liming of the soil, and 

 burning and removing all diseased plants. A mixture of two j)arts of lime and one 

 of salt is highly recommended. 



Rhubarb. — I^.J.W. writes that he procured four years ago root of giant rhubarb. 

 This plant has gradually deteriorated until leaves are no longer than ordinarv 

 rhubarb. 



A)iS7ver. — As rhubarb is a gross feeder annual dressings of stable manure in 

 •considerable quantities should be given each autumn. Also a light dressing of bone 

 ■dust anil blood manure in early spring. The beds must be well drained. 



Superphosphate as a Cattle Lick. — A.C. writes to know if it would be harmful 

 ■to give cows No. i Superphosphate as a lick instead of bone meal? 



Anszver. — Superphosphate may be used as a cattle lick prepared as follows : — 

 iiuperphosphate, 6 lbs. ; slaked lime, 6 lbs. ; sheep salt, 5 cwt. ; [ilaced in accessible 

 boxes protected from the weather. 



Cement Bricks, Machine-made. — E.S.D. asks as to stabiliiy and suitability of 

 machine-made cement bricks made of i cement and 6 sand ? 



Answer. — One to six is too wide for foundations. One to four is advised, and 

 bricks should set well before using.. 



Leghorns for Central Gippsland. — G.G.B. asks if it is advisable to rear 

 leghorns in Central Gippsland? 



Answer. — Black orpingtons, silver and white wyandottes, and Plymouth rocks 

 will thrive better in Gippsland than any of the Mediterranean breeds. The latter 

 should be kept during winter months well housed on dry straw or any litter. Protec- 

 tion from wet grass and cold wind is, in all cases, important. 



Eye Blight in Cows. — B.H.L. writes that his cows are affected with eye blight, 

 which seems to be carried from one to another by flies. Symptoms are, water 

 running from eyes, swelling, and finally a white film forms on pupil. 



Answer. — Bathe eyes with warm water and boracic acid, and drop into the eyes 

 a few drops of the following twice daily : — Zinc sulphate, 4 grains, tincture of 

 beHadonna, 15 drops; distilled water, i ounce. 



Drain Pipes Underground. — C.N.W. asks whether drain pipes underground 

 must have an outlet to the surface at some point to carry off such drainage? 



Answer. — The pipes ultimately pass to an open drain, which takes the water 

 from the lowest portion of the field to a n-?ighbouring creek, dam, lagoon, t\:c., 

 into which the field is drained. 



Atriplex Leptocarpa, Slender-fruited Saltbush.— A.L.M.G. forwards specimen. 



Answer. — The above is a native perennial plant which is drought-resisting, and 

 yields a fair amount of forage. Stock of all kinds fond of it. When not too 

 closely fed down, produce seed in abundance, germinating readily under ordinary 

 conditions. 



Artificial Manures to Wheat-growing Land.— L.G. asks whether long-continued 

 application injuriously affects the soil even when the land is cropped only every 

 third year? 



Answer. — The continued application of phosphates to wheat-growing land will 

 not injuriously affect the soil. What will happen is, that if the amount of phos- 

 phate acid applied be continually in excess of the requirements of the crop, the 

 phosphoric acid will accumulate, until a point is reached, when further applications 

 will cease to be profitable. The soil will then be comparatively rich in phosphoric 

 acid, but may be deficient in nitrates or in potash, in which case the money invested 

 in phosphates will be more profitably employed in adding these other deficient 

 elements. In any case the intelligent' farmer 'should occasionally test his land by 

 means of small experimental plots to find just what the soil reci'uirements are. 



Er.\grostes Brownh, "Common Love Grass."— '■ Grass Seed" forwards speci- 

 men. 



Anstuer. — A variable native j)erennial grass, valuable as a pasture grass, pro- 

 ducing for many months of the year abundance of palatable and nutritious fodder. 

 Stands drought well even in poor soil, and bears hard feeding. In cultivated 

 ground (orchards, &c.), it is easily kept down by ploughing and clean cultivation. 



Soya Bean. — J.S.McN. asks where to get Soya Bean, what quantity of seed 

 per acre to sow, nature of soil, and if it is good for pigs and fowls? 



Answer. — Can be purchased from the leading Melbourne seedsmen, half a bushel 

 of seed per acre is the quantity sown, the soil best suited for it is' a sandy loam 

 with plenty of lime. It is good feed for pigs mixed with other food, such as 

 maize. Fowls do not take readily to the matured beans, but eat them green witli 

 iidvantatje. 



