4 
THER AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
January 5, 1905 
a oe 
waterisg this month. As soon as the 
ground is dry enough after such watering 
wut the scarifier to work and get the ground 
ap to a fine state of tilth. his work 
Bhould be done before the ground becomes 
fauzd and cracked, the best time to com- 
maence being just as soon as the horses and 
suitivator can work without the soil sticking 
#o the implements and horses’ feet. 
Ajl fruit intended for drying should be 
allowed to hang until thoroughly ripe, when 
it may be picked, cut in halves, placed on 
the drying-trays, fumigated as soon after as 
possible, and then either put out into the 
sun or into the evaporator to dry. 
it may not be amiss for mé to mention 
heie that the Blue Oil Emulsion diluted in 
the proportion of 1 gallon of cil to 40 or 50 
gations of water is as cheap and effective a 
vemedy for black aphis as any of the many 
sprays Which are continually being experi- 
aapnted with, 
The blue oil shonid be emulsified by 
thoroughly mixing in three or four gallons 
of boiling water and soap in the ordinary 
way, and then, when there are absolutely 
mo particles of free oil to be observed float- 
1g on the surface of the creamy compourd, 
the water for diluting can be added. Blue 
oil, or crude kerosene, in direct contact with 
peach trees will do injury to the foliage, 
and yerbaps kill the tree. As an emulsion 
properly prepared no harm will result. 
EXPERIMENTS IN SPRAYING. 
‘Lhe Experiment Station Record of Washing- 
4on contains particulars of spraying exporiments 
at Sonth Haven. ey 
‘With a number of the fruits comparative ex- 
periments were made to determine the relative 
value of dust and liquid sprays for the contro! of 
anzects and diseases. A thorough test was made 
af theso two methods on apples and plums for 
xureulio and brown rot, Generally speaking, the 
«ost of preparing and applying the dry Bordeaux 
muixture according to station methods was more 
expersive than liquid Bordeaux. The dry Bor- 
Aganx, however, could be applied in abcut one- 
4bind Jess time, and upon yery rolling, hilly loca- 
tions one horse could do the work of two or 
three. The liquid spray could be used with or 
against the wind, while the dust spray con!d not 
be used against the wind at all and was most 
sweifectise when there was little or no wind and the 
Holiege was wet from dew or rain. In no instance 
id the dust stick as well as the liquid spray. 
Both methods gave excellent results in eon- 
trolling the codlin moth worms in apples, and 
dust-spraying, using formula No, | fiye, sulphur, 
copper sulphate, and Paris green!, proved supe- 
azor to Bordeaux mixture and arsanite of limo in 
sontroHing the curculio in the plum orchard, and 
seemed to control the brown rot fully as well. 
Upon very close observation it was found that 
the fine particles of dust would stick to the waxy 
dicom of the fruit, while with liquid, unless very 
heavy with lime, the solution would run of of 
dhe plums as though they had been greased, In 
summing up the results obtained in thie season’s 
test, it would mot seem adyisable to change from 
the older method to the new, until the latter has 
veen further tested, improved, and perfected, ex- 
s#ept upon plums and cherries, 
Tn order to determine the effects of leay y rain 
jammediately after applyir g copper sulphate soln- 
tion for peach leaf curl, the trees in one experi- 
ment were thoroughly drenched with pure water 
an hour after the solution was applied. No 
difference was observable in the amount of leaf 
enrl on trees drenched and on those not drenched, 
The conclusion is drawn that the action of 
copper sulphate in destroying the spores of the 
leaf-curl fungus is almost instantaneous. As a 
result of tests for a number of varieties of cover 
crops for orchards, it is stated that vetch has 
proved one of the most valuable plants for coyer- 
crop purposes ever tested at the sub-station. 
Clover came next in value. 
Vegetable Garden. 
ce) 
OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
By W. 8. Canpsect. 
If the season is dry, vegetable-growing 
during this month is a difficult matter; but 
if wet, or moderately so, many. varieties of 
vegetables are likely to thrive excellently. 
Where facilities for irrigation are available, 
there need be no want of vegetables at any 
time of the year, 
Insect pests are often prevalent during 
the hot months of the year amongst some 
of the vegetables, chiefly aphis and cater- 
pillars on cabbages and other members of 
the cabbage family, and not infrequently it 
is most difficult to raise any of these plants 
when aphis appears in extraordinary num- 
bers. Jt is said that sulphur, dusted 
amongst the leaves of the cabbages, will 
prevent the attacks of both caterpillars and 
aphis. 
Setics French or Kidney.—Should dry 
weather prevail and irrigation be impossible 
from want of water, the beans are not 
likely to thrive; but in those districts” 
where the rainfall has been good, this vege- 
table should be yielding plentifully. Old 
plants, which have fallen off in production, 
had better be rocted ont, and then the 
ground can be well manured, and cabbages, 
leeks, or any other seasonable vegetables 
can be planted or sown. The application 
of a heavy top dressing of farmyard 
manure between the rows of beans, as well 
as of other vegetables, should be of con- 
siderable advantage to them during the hot 
summer months. 
Broceoli.—-This member of the Brassica, 
or cabbage family, is closely allied to the 
cauliflower, and probably but few persons 
could recognise a difference between them, 
The heady of tho broccoli are generally 
smaller than those of the cauliflower, and 
have a more yellow tinge; the leaves sur- 
rounding the inflorescence too are more 
numerous, and the broccoli is generally con- 
sidered to be more hardy than the cauli- 
flower. Sow a small quantity of seed where 
it can be well attended to, either in box, 
seed-bed, or sead-pan. On no account allow 
the soil te become quite dry after the seeds 
start into growth, or germinate. A shade 
had better be used. An old bran bag or 
chaff bag, cut in two and fixed on any 
rough sort of frame, would answer splen- 
didly as ashelter and sun-break, under 
which seeds can be raised. Under such a~ 
protection the soil is likely to keep fairly 
moist. A mulch of finely broken up dung, 
spread over the surface of the seed-beds, 
will be a still further advantage and pro- 
tection. : 
Borecule, or Kale.—Sow a few seeds. 
during the month. This is as good a vege- 
table as anyone could grow for winter in 
the cold climates, for it will stand very cold 
weather indeed without injury. It does not 
seem to be grown nearly as much as if. de- 
serves. Nearly everything has to give 
place to the everlasting cabbage, which, 
though excellent vegetable as it is, should 
not be altogether depended upon, when 
there are'so many good vegetables allied to- 
it, and some of which succeed better under 
various conditions, 
Cabbage, Oauliflower.—Follow the advice. 
given above for broccoli. Secdlings of any 
of the Brassicas should be pricked out into 
well manured beds as soon as they are 
large enough to handle. Here they should 
grow into good strong plants for the final. 
planting. Plant out any new plants that 
-are strong and hardy enough to stand the. 
shift. Water well before shifting, and 
water well after planting ; and if but little 
injury has been caused to the roots they are 
not likely to feel the shift. 
Celery.—A sowing of seed once during - 
the month should suffice for requirements. 
Advanced and suitable plants may be. 
planted ont, but it would not be worth 
while goiug to this trouble unless a good 
supply of water be available. 
Cress and Mustaurd.—Most useful for 
summer salads, but these plants need good. 
supplies of water and occasionally some 
liquid manure. Sow seed, sufficient to give 
a supply, say about once a week. 
Onion.-~A trial of a little seed might be 
made where the season has hitherto been 
favorable for vegetables. Onions which are. 
already growing should be well looked after 
and kopt free from weeds without heaping 
or drawing any soil over the bulbs as they. 
form. te 
Parsley.—A little seed may be sown, if 
any plants are required. 
Peas.—In cool districts a few rows should 
be sown, and it is very probable that they 
will succeed satisfactorily should there be 
suflicient rain during the time of growth. 
Radish.—Sow seeds two or three times. 
during the month—a little at a time——in. 
order to keep up a constant supply of a few 
radishes. Make use of this vegetable 
whilst it is young and tender, and discard 
all large overgrown roots. 
Spinach.—Sow a little seed of this useful 
yegetable, which does not seem. to be ap. 
well known as it should be. 
Yomato.—Ripe fruit should be plentiful. 
by this time wherever the season has been 
satisfactory, and the rain or water supply. 
sufficient. Examine the plants occasionally 
for unsound or diseased fruit, and destroy 
such fruit by fire as soon as possible. If 
any plants are needed, seed may be sown, 
or young plants already raised may be 
planted out. Gather all fruit as soon as it 
ripeus, and do not leave any to rot on the 
ground, 
-Tutnip.—A little seed may be sown in. 
drills occasionally. 
