70 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jan., 1900. | 
tree. Budding of all kinds of fruit trees can be done during the month, the 
only requisites to success being that the buds are fully developed and that the 
bark of the stock runs freely. For budding use a very sharp knife, and see 
-that you cut your buds thin—on no account remove the wood from the bud, as it 
only makes the operation slower and does no good; in fact, the quicker the 
budding is done, and the less the inner bark of the bud or stock is exposed, the 
better will be the take. Always tie your buds firmly, especially so at the base 
of the bud, as it is there that the union must take place. As soon as the bud — 
has taken properly, the tie should be cut; otherwise they are very apt to cut 
into and destroy the stock. 
Farm and Garden Notes for January. 
Farm Notes—The main business of the farmer during this month will consist 
of preparing the land for future crops, keeping growing crops clean, being careful 
to deta all weeds before they seed, always bearing in mind the old adage, “One — 
year’s seeding is seven years’ weeding.” A little maize may still be sown for a 
late crop. In some localities early potatoes may be sown; they should be planted — 
whole, and have plenty of room, or they will be drawn up. Such early sowing, — 
however, must not be relied upon to prove successful, and can only. be looked 
upon in the light of an experiment. Sow sorghum, imphee, Cape barley, — 
vetches, panicum, teosinte, rye, and cow peas. 
_Kitehen Garden.—The great heat of the weather during the present month 
will militate greatly against successful sowings of seeds; but with care much — 
may be done. Shading and watering are the main points to be attended to. 
Vegetable beds should be freely watered in the evening. A mere sprinkling is | 
useless. The beds should receive a good soaking. Mulching will be found of great | 
benefit, and also a slight dressing of salt. The mulch may consist of stable litter, _ 
tan, straw, or grass. All unoccupied land should be dug, and green refuse, such 
as cabbage leaves, turnip tops, &c., turned under, as they form a valuable manure. 
Heavy land should be turned over, the lumps broken roughly, as the exposure 
to the sun will greatly improve the texture of such soils. When the weather 
is favourable, sow French beans, cress, cauliflower, mustard, cabbage, celery, 
radish, for autumn and winter use. Parsnip, parsley, radish, turnip, Brussels 
sprouts, carrot, peas, and endive may be sown, as well as a few cucumber and 
melon seeds for late crop; the latter are, however, not likely to succeed 
except in very favourable situations. Such seeds as cabbage, cauliflower, | 
celery, &c., should be sown thickly in small beds under a light covering of 
canvas or brush, and the beds kept well watered until the plants are strong: 
In favourable weather plant out cabbage and cauliflower. Gather herbs for — 
drying. Gather onions, garlic, and eschalots as the tops die down. When 
‘planting out cabbage, &c., protect the plant from the sun for a few days until 
the new roots are formed. 
Flower Garden.—Sowings should be made in boxes under cover or iD 
sheltered prepared seed-beds for early plants—cineraria, primula, gloxinia, 
ealceolaria, pansy; for late blooming—Sweet William, calendula, balsam, 
gaillardia, zinnia, coreopsis, dianthus, &. ‘Tie up and stake all tall-growing — 
plants. Dahlias that are in flower may be thinned out and tied to stakes. 
‘Weeds must be kept down, and, to keep up a good show of flowers, constant 
watering and attention will be necessary, especially if the weather is hot. | 
Plant dahlia bulbs for late blooming, if not already done ; also make cuttings of 
any good variety from medium-grown wood, planting same in sandy soil under 
fair circumstances, thus getting nice healthy young bulbs for next season. 
