lo Sept., 1912.] Orchard and Garden Notes. 579 



watering can with a rose can be used for the purpose. The proportions 

 for concrete for general pur[)Oses is one part cement, three parts sand, and 

 .six parts broken stone, gravel, or ashes. AH concrete should be lightly 

 rammed and a surplus of water should be avoided, as otherwise the 

 strength and density of the concrete is affected. The proportion of water 

 is correct if after only light ramming the liquid appears on the surface. 

 Care should be taken to prevent the quick drying of concrete by protecting 

 it from the direct rays of the sun and sprinkling from time to time with 

 water. When placing a s'.'cond layer of concrete, it is best to do so betort,- 

 the first is dry, otherwise the first layer will require to be scratched, 

 cleaned, and wetted, so as to insure a firm hold. Three inches of con- 

 crete, with I inch of facing, is sufficient for silo floors ; while for cow- 

 sheds and other floors, where there is a lot of traffic, 4 to 6 inches of 

 concrete, with 2 inches of facing, is required. The facing for cow-shed 

 floors should be made with a greater proportion of cement than ordinary 

 concrete, and the metal should be finer and the surface have a slightly 

 rough finish ; this will prevent the cows from slipping. 



To prepare the floor it should be levelled off, well rammed, then 

 covered w-ith 2 inches of sand ; this should be well wetted. The concrete 

 is laid in sections, dividing each section with a batten, which is removed 

 when the concrete is set, and the spaces where battens are taken from are 

 grouted in with cement mortar ; this prevents cracking caused by the 

 shrinkage of concrete. The facing should be put on before the concrete 

 is set. Gutters, corners, and edges should be rounded off. For cement 

 mortar the cement and clean sharp sand (not too fine) should be thoroughly 

 mixed in a dry state. Cement mortar of one part cement and two parts 

 sand is us(h1 when a high degree of strength and density is required, such 

 as machinery foundations, damp cellars, &c. , but for masonry, plaster- 

 ing, and general purposes, one part cement and three parts sand is a suit- 

 able mixture. A smooth surface or platform is required for mixing. A 

 board for this purpose can readily ht made from any surplus timber avail- 

 able. Gauge boxes are necessary for measuring the quantities ; and in 

 making boxes it is advisable to allow the side boards to project past the 

 ends of the box, so as to form handles for shifting the boxes. Do not 

 make more concrete than can be used in half-an-hour ; set or hardened 

 cement mortar or concrete is quite useless. Its initial set should not be 

 disturbed. Cement work should never be applied on dry or absorbent 

 surfaces, unless those surfaces have been previously wetted. 



ORCHARD AND GAllDEX NOTES. 



E. E. Pcscoii, Principal, School of Horticulture , Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



The winter seasonable works, such as pruning and planting, with the 

 exception of Citrus fruits in the latter case, will now be completed ; and 

 the time has arrived for the new season's work to be commenced. 



The spring ploughing should now be prcceeded with as earlv as possible, 

 so as to conserve all soil moisture. If the ploughing be delayed, it 

 frequently happens that, owing to dry weather setting in, the soil surface 

 becomes hardened and compacted, and in that condition it is very difficult 



