10 Jan., 1917.] Reminders fur February. 63 



and cool. More cultivation and less water is a good rule to be observed. 

 The hoe should l>e used more, aud the hose less in summer ; greater bene- 

 fits will accrue, and the water bill will be considerably reduced. Mulch- 

 ings with straw, gr?ss, ic, are very useful just now. The mowings from 

 lawns form valuable mulching. Waste tobacco stems are also valuable 

 as a mulch. 



Dahlias, chrysanthemums, and other tall-growing, slender herb^iceous 

 plants will require support in the way of stakes. They will also need 

 mulching considerably. These plants should receive no check whatever, 

 and should be continued with a regular even growth right through the 

 season. Another desideratum is that soils should be well drained, as 

 plants of all descriptions thrive better in well-drained soils. 



A sharp look-out should be kept on these plants for attacks of red 

 spider. If this insect appears, a good spraying of tobacco solution or 

 benzole emulsion should be given to the plants. 



Constant watch will need to be kept for the various small cater- 

 pillars that attack the buda of these plants. Spraying with a weak 

 solution of paris green and lime, or similar insecticide, will be useful. 

 Hand-picking should also be resorted to. 



HEMINDERS FOR PEBRUARY. 



LIVE STOCK. 



HoESES: At grass. — Supplement dry grass, if possible, with some greenstuff. 

 Provide plenty of pure water and shade shelter. In stable. — Supplement hard 

 feed with some greenstuff, carrots, or the like, and give a bran mash once a week 

 at le;ist. Avoid over-stimulating foods, such as maize and barley. Give hard 

 feed in quantities only consistent with work to be performed. Stable should be 

 well ventilated, and kept clean. When at work, give water at short intervals. 

 Always water before feeding. 



Cattle. — Provide succulent feed and plenty of clean water easy of access; also 

 shade and salt lick in trough. Have each cow's milk weighed and tested for butter 

 fat regularly. Rear heifer calves from those that show profitable results. Give 

 milk at blood heat to calves. Keep utensils clean or diarrhoea will result. Do 

 not give too much at a meal for the same reason. Give half-a-cup of limewater 

 per calf per day in the milk. Let them have a good grass run or lucerne, or 

 half-a-pound of crushed oats in a trough. Dehorn all dairy calves except those 

 required for stud or show purposes. Keep bulls away from cows. 



Pigs. — Sows about to farrow should be supplied with short bedding in well- 

 ventilated styes. All pigs should be provided with shade and water to wallow in. 

 There will be plenty of cheap feed available now, and there is a good margin 

 between cost of feed and price for fat pigs. Refer to articles on breeding, feeding, 

 &c., in Journals of April, 1912, June, 1913, May, 1915. Pigs should be highly 

 profitable animals to feed now. 



Sheep. — Coarse crossbred ewes, known as "three-quarter breeds" or "second 

 cross " are usually in season this month. When grazing sheep, or ewes for 

 future l)reeding are required good fleeced merino rams should be used with these. 

 Downs breeds of rams where the lambs go for export Should there be among 

 the rams to be used any distinctly inferior to the others, keep them back for 

 twenty one days, giving the best rams the first three weeks, being sure the ewes 

 are in season. Narrow, inferior rams are almost invariably active, rapid workers 

 compared to sheep of more sub8t.ance. Keep salt available. Drench any weaners 

 scouring. If necessary to feed do not wait until in-lamb ewes are weak before 

 commencing. When on continuous dry feed sheep move directly off camp to 

 water towards evening each day before feeding. When water becomes inferior, 

 or scarce, and available to in-lamb ewes irregularly, losses with both ewes and 

 Iambs before and after lambing appears to be more prevalent. 



Avoid moving good wooUed sheep unnecessarily in heat and dust of summer. 



