448 Journal of Afjiicultuic, Victoria. flO July, 1917. 



in fattening pigs. Worms are very prevalent at present, and may be treated by 

 giving 2 to 10 grains of Santonin in form of pill, or from half to one teaspoonful 

 of oil of turpentine in milk or castor oil. 



Sheep. — Decide on the breed and number of rams required for the coming 

 season. Place orders as soon as possible, for breeders can then give better satis- 

 faction and allot preference to the earlier applications. The result of mating 

 should be given most careful consideration from a wool point of view. Evidence 

 points to an extreme shortage of good merino and fine cross-bred wool for years 

 to come. At the same time, a steadily increasing demand has set in for materials 

 manufactured from these finer grades. The world's civilian requirements must 

 be met, and for flannels and finer materials for temperate and cold climates these 

 are indispensable. After all coarse wools liave a limited use. Cull stud ewes 

 carefulh", especially mcrinoes, consider form as well as evenness of covering and 

 style of wool. Discard for thin fribby forearms, for coarse common thighs, for 

 mushy wasty undercovering, inferior patches acro-s the shoulders, common and 

 short between the hip bones. Individual merit must be considered carefully, 

 pedigree alone is not sufficient. 



Poultry. — Yards should be turned over with a spade or fork, and sown down 

 with rape or barley. Keep the breeders busy — straw litter with a little grain 

 scattered about will make them exercise. Overhaul incubators; see that 

 tlie capsule of thermostat acts properly; thoroughly clean lamps, egg drawers, 

 and chimneys. Test machine for two days before putting eggs in. It is also 

 advisable to have thermometer tested. When additional incubators are required, 

 it is more satisfactory to keep to the one make. 



Cultivation. 



Farm. — Second fallow where necessary for summer crops. If required, roll or 

 harrow crops. Plant very early potatoes in forward districts. Sow mangolds. 

 Apply slow-acting fertilizers, such as blood and bone manures, for maize. 



Orchard. — Complete planting and pruning of deciduous trees. Watch for 

 peach aphis, and spray with tobacco solution, if present. Prepare for planting 

 citrus trees. Spray for woolly aphis with lime sulphur spray. 



Flower Garden. — Finish digging and pruning of roses, &c. Leave pruning 

 of shrubs till after flowering. Keep weeds in check ; weed out seed beds. Divide 

 and plant out all herbaceous plants, such as phlo.x, delphiniums, rudbeckia, &c. 

 Plant out gladioli. Complete planting of shrubs. Mulch young plants. 



Vegetable Garden. — Top-dress asparagus beds; plant new asparagus plots. 

 Plant herb divisions, and potatoes. Sow cabbage, cauliflower, peas, carrots, 

 beans, radish, and leituce seeds. Sow tomato seeds in a hot frame. Finish 

 digging. 



Vineyard. — August is the best month for planting vines (grafted or ungrafted). 

 TEis should be actively proceeded with and completed before end of month. 

 Scions for field grafting may still be preserved as detailed last month, or better 

 still by placing them in cool storage. They should all be removed from vines 

 before end of month, at latest. Conclude pruning and tie down rods. Where 

 black spot has been prevalent, apply 1st acid iron sulphate treatment. In view 

 of the serious damage caused by this fungus in many districts last summer careful 

 attention to preventive treatment is emphatically urged (see article in current 

 issue). 



Cellar. — Rack again, towards end of month, wines which have as yet only 

 been once racked (spring racking). Fill up regularly all unfortified wines. 

 Clean up generally in cellar and whitewash walls, woodwork, &c. 



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