1 Jan., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 83 
Farm Notes for January. 
THE principal work in the field during this month will consist in ploughing and 
preparing the land for future crops. Particular care should be given to 
destroying all weeds before they seed. This will save much cleaning afterwards. 
Maize may still be sown for a late crop. Sow sorghum, imphee, Cape barley, 
vetches, panicum or setaria, teosinte, rye, and cow peas, if the weather will 
permit. arly potatoes may be planted whole, but they must have plenty of 
room, or they will be drawn up; and in any case such early planting can only 
be looked upon as an experiment which may or may not be successful. 
Garden Notes for January. 
By H. W. GORRIE 
Horticulturist, Queensland Agricultural College. 
Tx hot dry weather, such as we usually have in January, thereis not much that can 
be done in the way of gardening, unless an unlimitedfsupply of water is at 
command. 
The cultivator and hoe must be kept going constantly among the crops, so 
that as much benefit as possible may be obtained from what moisture there is 
in the ground. 
Kitchen Garden.—A first sowing of cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels 
sprouts may now be made in a covered seed bed, which must be kept well 
watered and carefully watched for insect pests. If these are sown in narrow, 
shallow drills, they will grow more sturdy, and be easier to transplant than 
“if sown broadcast. Celery may be sown in a shallow, well-drained box, which 
must be shaded until the plants are well up. The box ought to be watered 
before the seed is sown rather than atter sowing. Parsley,to keep up a supply, 
may be sown in the same way. French beans may be sown in favourable 
weather. Cucumbers, squashes, &c., should now be plentiful ; the plants should 
be pegged down as they grow, and, if it is desired to prolong their bearing 
season as much as possible, none of the crop should be allowed to ripen, but 
all ought to be gathered when fit for use, whether they are wanted or not. If 
two or three cucumbers on a plant are allowed to mature, the plant will soon 
‘Jose vitality, cease to bear, and die. Tomatoes, if not already attended to, 
should be staked up or supported in some way to keep them off the ground. 
Onions, if not already taken up, should now be ripe, and should be carefully 
lifted without bruising them, and stored in a cool airy shed. A few rows of 
beet root and carrots may be sown, but it is still too hot to plant the main 
crops of these. 
In the Flower Garden, the work now chiefly consists of watering and 
hoeing. Roses may be budded this month, if it is desired to increase the stock 
of these most useful and beautiful plants. Dahlias and chrysanthemums must 
be tied up to stakes as they grow, and both will be greatly benefited by watering 
with liquid manure once or twice a week. Bouvardias are now in flower, and 
they also should be staked, and have a little weak liquid manure occasionally, 
All spent flowers of any kind should be cut off; by doing this, not only do the 
beds look better, but the flowering season of the plants will be lengthened ; 
because a plant cannot mature seeds and keep on producing flowers at the 
same time. Coleus beds will now be at their best, and any plants which show 
a tendency to become straggling should be pinched back. Cuttings will grow 
now if stuck in the ground anyhow in showery weather, and advantage should 
be taken of favourable opportunities to fill up any blanks, 
