348 AUSTRALIAN AOBICULTOBE. 



they are heavy as a rule, and precautions are necessary to ward off visita- 

 tions of the flood kind. It is the season for cold weather crops. 



Wheat. May is a favorite month for sowing, and where early 

 ploughing is attended to, the seed can be got in, even during dry weather. 

 Many new sorts of wheat are being tested, and quite a good number give 

 promise of being valuable ; but wheat growers have to experiment care- 

 fully, and possibly, the better course for growers to follow for the main 

 crop is to take the advice of the miller or agents who are buyers in their 

 districts as to which would be the best sorts to sow sorts already grown in 

 the district. The steeping of seeds cannot be neglected without risk. 

 Bluestone makes the most effective steep. Four gallons of water, containing 

 half a pound of bluestone, into which the grain is put for five minutes or 

 so, is about right. 



Other Grain Crops. Barley, for grain, malting, and green feed can be 

 sown at any suitable time during these months. Rye can be sown, and if 

 for feed, vetches, with the rye do well, and are excellent either for cutting 

 green or for the silo. 



Peas, Roots, &c. Peas may be sown as a field crop, where there is no 

 risk of frost ; in colder districts, it will be as well to wait until the end of 

 the season. Bone dust or superphosphate is the manure for peas and beans, 

 and a capital machine is being introduced for sowing the seed and manure 

 in one operation. Sow onions for a field crop, or plant out where sets are 

 available, they do capitally on rich, well-farmed ground. Swede turnips, 

 field carrots, beets, and cabbage can be got in. Potatoes planted in 

 February-March should be coming on promisingly. They do not require 

 much hilling up at this time of year, but the rows have to be gone over in 

 order to destroy weeds, and secure a loose bed for the crop. The summer- 

 grown potatoes should be dug as soon as the tops wither. Harvest 

 mangolds, pumpkins and swedes as they ripen. It is the better course to 

 market them as soon as they are fit ; or where required for winter feed, to 

 pit them, as soon as possible, covering the pits sufficiently to throw off rain. 



Grass for Pasture. Look up the notes for the autumn season as to the 

 sowing of grass seeds. The work can be carried on during May, except in 

 the colder districts, where frost may injure the young growth. In such 

 places, better wait till August. 



VEGETABLE SUPPLIES. 



The Work in Season. To keep the cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce 

 tribes going is a first requirement. Sow more seed ; when for home use 

 only, those whicjj turn into hearts quickest are safest. Carrots : Sow 

 and thin out those already making roots. The narrow-bed system is 

 most easily managed to keep the crops growing and free from weeds. 

 This includes carrots, parsnips, salsify, and similar root crops. Onions : 

 Continue to sow in good, rich land, and if the soil be sandy make it as 

 firm as possible, both before and after the seed is sown. The modern 

 giant varieties are worth giving a trial, and, providing they have good 

 soil and are well thinned out, the results are usually satisfactory. 

 Turnips may be sown at any time ; thin out if the crops are too thick ; 

 the tops of young turnips may be utilised for cooking purposes. The 

 narrow-bed system will be found advantageous for this crop also, as the 

 ground about the plants remains more open from the absence of feet- 



