SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
Prant SELECTION. 
Cuttings are being struck from known heavy and light bearing 
strains to endeavour to see to what extent the bearing qualities are 
due to strain. The continuation of this work will be the establish- 
ment by selection of heavy-bearing strains of sultanas, currants, and 
gordos. 
Manvrrat Exprerrment on Orn Vines. 
Mr. O. G. Setford, The Lake, has placed portion of his vineyard 
at our disposal. A sultana patch has been divided into plots which 
are receiving 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cwt. of superphosphates. Similar work 
is being done on a currant patch. Results from this experiment will 
commence to come in at the next drying season, and should show 
the most payable quantity of super. to use. 
Aorivirres oF THE COMMITTEE OTHER THAN ‘THE HxpertMENTAL 
Farm. 
Black Spot.—The amount of work on this disease has been neces- 
sarily limited owing to the searcity of the disease due to dry 
seasons. 
The work on the dormant stage of the disease in the vine has. 
however, been continued, and the results have been of value to 
growers. Valuable assistance was given by Mr. Brittlebank, Vege- 
table Pathologist for Victoria, in connexion with the testing of 
pitted canes which have been variously treated. 
Oidium.——As in the case of black spot, the season has, fortunately, 
been unfavorable to the disease. Field experiments dealing with the 
forms of sulphur are being conducted on the properties of McCarthy 
Brothers, of Merbein. Results, however, cannot be expected until 
a year favorable to the growth of the disease occurs. 
“One advantage, however, has been obtained for growers. The 
sulphur supplies in past years have been insufficiently ground, and 
were too coarse to be of much value. A standard method (the 
Chancel test) of testing the fineness of division of the sulphur 
has been adopted by the Committee, and a great improvement in 
the quality of the sulphur supplied has been effected. 
The efficiency of ground sulphur is entirely dependent on the 
fineness of division, so all purchasers in the settlement should 
satisfy themselves on this point before obtaining supplies. 
EnromoLocicAL OBSERVATIONS. 
1. The Dried Fruit Grub (Indian Meal Moth).—This pest is 
probably the greatest menace to the dried-fruits industry at 
present. It is practically impossible to detect the eggs on the dried 
fruit, but these eggs develop, in most cases, after the fruit has left 
the district, and seriously affects the quality of the fruit as given 
to the consumer. 
Observational work has been carried out, and will be continued 
on this matter. . The grub in its various stages is still under obser- 
vation, and experimental work in cleaning the fruit will commence 
with the next year’s pack. 
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