10 Aug., 1917.] Orchard ami Garden yottx. 509 



take tlie seasons as they eome, and stock-owners should always be 

 prepared for a long spell of dry weather. Tf this foresight be shown 

 that which usually seems an evil may perhai)s be regarded ais a 

 blessing. 



During the drought years 1914-15 one grazier near the western 

 border lost fully one-half of his sheep, as well as other stock, whilst 

 the losses of a neighbour were eomjiarativcly small. The secret of 

 these small losses was that the latter had made provision in case of 

 an abnormally dry season, and he was able to allow his sheep half-a- 

 pound of oats per day per head, and on this they fully held their 

 own in condition. This grazier produces his own oats for his slieep, 

 which number thousands, and this year, although feed is plentiful, 

 oats are stored for future sheep feed, and are not for sale. 



Before concluding these observations T should like to refer to the 

 great destruction of many of our wild-fowl by so-called sportsmen. 

 Duck and other swam])-frequenting birds are natural enemies of both 

 flukes and worms, and they should be protected to the utmost. 



The tapping of subterranean waters to replace the supplies of 

 exhausted swamps has revealed several hitherto unknown properties 

 under the soil. In one place on the border of South Australia water 

 of a saltiness approximating that of sea water was met, the presence 

 of which was not previously suspected. The high agricultural value 

 of many of these swamp areas when dry has also been established, and 

 no doubt in the future will be a source of wealth to the State, especially 

 us .some of thcni could be cheaply drained. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



(/;. E. I'escott, F.L.S., Pomolorfisi .) 



The Orchard. 



If the winter spraying has been delayed, it should be completed as 

 quickly as possible, and before the buds begin to swell and burst. 



It is not advisable to spray the stone fruits with the red oil emulsion 

 at this time, as there will be danger of burning and destroying the eirly 

 buds that may be swelling, and consequently loosen their outside scales. 

 It will be safe, if the work be done at once, to spray apple, pear and 

 quince trees with this spray, especially where the Eyrobia Mite, scale 

 insects, or woolly aphis are prevalent. 



If it is intended that the lime-sulphur wash be the specific for these 

 and other pests, it may be used with safety, although the spiavin^ 

 should be completed as early as possible. This mixture has a certain 

 value as a fungicide, and it is well worth trying on peach trees that 

 have been affected with the leaf curl ; more especially in view of the fact 

 that in some districts severe burning has occurred in peach orchards as 

 a result of using Bordeaux mixture late in the season. 



