494. s QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juxx, 1899. 
projecting toward the point of the scythe. Hence in swinging the scythe 
through the standing grass these fine points catch hold and sever the fibres of 
the stalk. If these minute saw teeth were pointing towards the heel, the 
tendency would be to slip over the stalk. Thus it is that when scythes are 
ground straight across the blade, they do not cut well. In using the whetstone, 
imitate the grinding, and, as the stone moves forward, pull it downward. Do 
not hold it too far under, but just level or flat with the blade. 
HOW TO MIX FERTILISERS. 
Perriniser mixtures, uniform in quality and equal in every eee to the best 
factory-made fertilisers, can be made on the farm without milling machinery. 
A tight barn floor, platform scales, screen, shovel, and hoe are the only utensils 
needed. The materials having been weighed, screened, and lumps pulverised, 
the most bulky stock is spread in an oblong pile from 6 inches to 12 inches 
deep ; upon its levelled top the next material is placed, and so on until all have 
been added like layers on a layer cake. Commencing at one end, the pile is 
shovelled over, the operator reaching clear to the bottom eyery time. The pile 
is then levelled up, and the operation repeated 3 times. The mixture may then 
be screened again if desired. In thus mixing his fertiliser the farmer knows 
definitely what he has purchased. Each ingredient can be tested by itself if 
desired, and inferior materials are not so likely to be palmed off on him. He 
can also vary the proportions of the ingredients to suit the requirements of 
varying soils.— Harmer and Stockbreeder. 
DEVICE FOR COLLECTING CREAM. 
Mr. L. Arwort, of Cork, has patented a device for separating the milk from 
the cream in milk-pans. The thvention is so ridiculously simple that the 
wonder is no one eyer got hold of the idea before. The only thing in connection 
with it is a perforated disc, nearly the size of the milk-pan to which it is 
applied. It has a pair of handles which reach above the pan. This disc is 
placed in the milk, and when the cream has collected the dise is lifted out by 
the handles and the milk flows away through the holes, leaving the solid cream 
on the dise. 
SUPPORTING FARM GATES. 
Tie average farm gate causes more or less trouble by sagging, even when well 
and strongly built. One of the most effective ways to brace up a gate that has 
begun to sag is to make use of a piece of stout wire, arranged as suggested in 
the sketch. The gate is braced to the top of its own post, and that is kept 
firmly in place by a wire stay extending down to a stake in the ground, or to a 
big rock if one happens to lie conveniently near. There are so many uses for 
stout galvanised wire, No. 12, or stouter, that a supply should be kept con- 
stantly on hand. For mending fences and for making many other repairs it is 
exceedingly convenient.— Australian Field. 
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