10 Jan., 1917.] Orchard and Garden Notts. 61 



are still under consideratiou. Amongst them, the following are in- 

 cluded, viz.: — (1) The sheep blow fly pest. (2) Enamels and glazes. 

 (3) Lanoline. (4) Electrolytic zinc. (5) Forest products. (6) The 

 manufacture of copper sul|phate. (7) The production of potash from 

 various sources. (8) Tuberculosis in stock ; and (9) Clays and clay 

 products. Complete data are also being collected as to the scientific 

 laboratories available in Australia, their personnel and equipment, and 

 the educational facilities for the training of our future supply of scien- 

 tific investigators. A register is also being compiled of all scientific 

 research work in applied science in progress in the Commtinwealth. 



Mr. Speuce stated that he was impressed by the wide range of the 

 activities of the Advisory Council, and the large amount of preparatory 

 work that had been accomplished, and said that he would bring various 

 matters in connexion with the work of the Council before the Cabinet 

 at an early date. He ho,ped that before long Mr. Hughes would have 

 time to go fully into the whole matter in the light of the information 

 he had acquired when in England and America, and of the reports 

 presented liy the Executive Committee. 



OR.CUARD AxN'D GARDEN i^OTES. 



E. E. Pescoit, F.L.S., Principal, School of Horticidture, Buridey. 



The Orchard. 



The unseasonable rains of November and December have given 

 orcliardists an excellent chance to work up their ground. The soil is 

 new in a very suitable condition for surface cultivation, and the harrows, 

 disc cultivator, or scarifier should he kept going to keep up a good con- 

 dition of surface looseness. Even where the soil had been previously 

 well cultivated, the cultivators should again be run over the surface, as 

 any hot weather will cause the soil to crust, which vpculd be the means 

 of dissipating a very considerable amount of soil water. Every effort 

 should be taken to retain this moisture, so that the fruit crops shall 

 have all they require for their perfection. To further attain this end, 

 no weeds should be allowed to grow in orchard soils. 



Budding. 



Young treas, or old trees that have been previously cut down in pre- 

 IJaration for budding, may be worked towards the end of the month. 

 It is advisable to select dull, cool weather for this operation, so that 

 the sap may run more freely, and so that the weather will not have 

 too drying an effect on the bud. The operation of budding is a very 

 simple one, and is easily performed. To gain a successful end, the sap 

 should bs flowing freely, so that when the cuts are made the bark should 

 "lift" or "run" easily, and without any clinging or tearing of the 

 fibres: and it should separate freely from the wood. The bud selected 

 should be firm and well matured, and should show no signs of premature 

 growth whatever. It is cut from the scion with a shallow cut, and if 

 any wocd in the cutting be left in, this should be taken out of the bud. 

 A smooth, clean spot should be selected on the bark of the stock, and a 

 T-sha[>ed cut made, the vertical cut being longer than the horizontal 



