128 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Feb., 1917. 



Sheep. — All ewes should be kept strong for lambing. Crutch round tails 

 and lessen accumulation of discharge, and consequent attraction to the fly pest 

 at lambing time. Clear wool from round udders and teats and thereby save 

 many a lamb in bad weather; especially is this necessary in the case of young 

 ewes of the Merino and Lincoln crosses. Clear wool from eyes also. In crutching 

 ewes when close to lambing lay them over carefully, grasp by the thigh low 

 down, not by the flank as is generally done, which is a careless practice. Pure 

 , British breeds of ewes and very coarse crnss-breds may still be only coming in 

 season: rams should be left mated to make sure. Have good grass paddocks, 

 if season favorable, to cut off ewes with early-born lambs into, for extraordinary 

 prices will be available again this winter. 



PouLTKY. — Cull out t!ie drones and get rid of surplus cockerels. Keep 

 forward pullets well fed — eggs are rising in value. Repairs to houses should 

 be done this month. Thoroughly cleanse all houses and pens. Spray ground 

 and houses with a 5 per cent, solution of crude carbolic acid, to which should be 

 added a little lime — this will act as a safeguard against chicken pox; burn all 

 refuse and old feathers. Provide a liberal supply of green food. For each 

 moulting hen, add a teaspoonful of linseed to tlie morning mash. Use tonic 

 in water, which should be kept in cool shady spot. 



CULTIVATION. 



Fabm.- — Work fallow where possible for autumn sowing of cereals. Sow 

 winter fodder crops, such as rye, barley, and vetches. Prepare land for lucerne 

 plots for autumn seeding. Make silage of maize and other crops for winter usel 



Orchakd. — Prepare new land for planting; plough deeply and subsoil; leave 

 surface rougli. Plant out strawberries after first rain. Plant crops for green 

 manure. Continue to fight the Codlin Moth. 



Vegetable Gahdex. — Prepare ground for winter crops. Plant out seedlings 

 in moist soil. Sow cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, early peas, swede turnip, beet, 

 carrot, radish, and early onions. 



Flower Garden. — Cultivate and water. Feed dahlias, chrysanthemums, and 

 roses. Plant out shrubs, trees, and all kinds of bulbs. Sow hardy annuals. 

 Plant geranium and pelargonium cuttings. Spray for Aphis, Red Spider, and 

 Mildew. 



Vineyard. — Select scions, if not done last month. Where ripening is difficult, 

 assist by removing basal leaves only, as soon as berries change colour. This 

 is the month for drying currants, sultanas, and gordos (Lexias and Clusters). 

 Do not pick before grapes are properly ripe. For instructions for packing grapes 

 for export, apply to Department. Shipments should be made in March and early 

 April. 



Cellars. — Vintage month. For light dry wines, pick as soon as grapes are 

 ripe; do not wait for over-maturity, as is so often done. Pay attention to 

 acidity; correct same if necessary with tartaric acid or late grapes. Acidimeter 

 supplied by Department; price. -Ss. 6d. Sulphiting and the use of pure yeasts 

 are strongly recommended, as they insure production of sound wine; further 

 information supplied on application. 



