774 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. \^o Dec, 1912. 



All plants of the cucumber and melon family should now be 

 constantly supplied with ample water. Pinch out unnecessary lateral 

 growths, and also the terminals. 



The following seeds may now be sown : — French beans, cabbage 

 and cauliflower for winter crops, parsnip, lettuce, and celery. 



The side shoots of celery plants should be removed, afterwards 

 earthing up the plants. Asparagus beds should be top-dressed, and 

 allowed to grow without any more cutting. The vegetable beds will 

 need frequent forking and hoeing to keep the soil sweet, and to keep 

 down all weeds. 



Flo"W"er Garden. 



Plant out dahlias this month ; tubers early, and plants grown from 

 cuttings for exhibition blooms later in the month. Water well at 

 planting, and keep well cultivated afterwards. 



Rose bushes and beds may be given a good mulch with light stable 

 manure, straw, grass, or lawTi clippings. The beds should be kept 

 rather dry, so as to allow the plants rest before the autumn period of 

 growth. 



Sow seeds of cosmos, asters, zinnia, balsams, cockscomb, and other 

 late summer and autumn blooming annuals. 



Cut down delphiniums that have yielded their first crop of flowers, 

 so as to allow a succession of flowers to come. 



Daffodil, hyacinth, tulip, ranunculus, anemone, and other bulbs 

 and tubers may be taken up and stored ; while gladioli corms may still 

 be planted. 



The gaixien must be kept well watered and well cultivated, so as 

 to tide the plants over the hot and dry season. 



SECOND VICTORIAN EGG-LAYING COMPETITION, 1912-13. 



H. V. Hawkins, Poultry Expert. 



Report for Month ending 14th November, 1912. 



The past month has been for the most part dry, with some changes 

 and showers of rain. The meat ration has been reduced and 

 additional green feed, principally lucerne, has been given, save when 

 the weather changed to cold and wet the maize was withheld, and then 

 a small quantity was added to the wheat ration in order to maintain 

 the body temperature. Unfortunately, three White Leghorns died 

 during the month, pens 70, 44 and 15 each losing one, oviduct troubles 

 being responsible. Broodies are more numerous now, and the heavy 

 breeds are not laying as well as in October ; this also applies in a lesser 

 degree to the Leghorns. Mr. Samuel Brown's White Leghorns still 

 continue in the lead with the good score of 897, although less than 

 Mr. Swift's pen for the corresponding period in the first competition, 

 yet they bid fair to reach good figures by the end of the test. The 

 total number of eggs laid during the seven months was 47.172, an 

 average of approximately 683.6 eggs per pen. 



