442 
JOUnXAf.  OF  HOnriGULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  15,  1902. 
reflection  passed  on  Victorian  orchards  ^Thich  is  accorded 
to  many  an  English  one,  i.e.,  that  the  trees  are  old  and 
generally  very  much  neglected. 
There  is  a  capital  paper  contributed  on  European 
Dairying,”  by  T.  Cherry,  lecturer  on  bacteriology,  Melbourne 
University,  who  was  sent  over  by  the  Minister  of  Agriculture 
to  see  how  things  were  done  here.  He  visited  Switzerland, 
Paris,  London,  Belgium,  Holland,  N.  Germany,  Denmark, 
Sweden,  and  had  nearly  three  months  in  England,  returning 
by  N.  France  and  the  Rhine.  We  see  the  paper  is  to  be 
continued  in  a  later  issue,  but  as  far  as  it  goes  it  is  most 
exhaustive. 
Next  we  come  to  something  we  want  here,  and  that  badly. 
The  first  of  a  series  of  lectures  to  be  given  to  State  school 
teachers  attending  the  Summer  Training  College.  This 
lecturo  is  on  the  composition  of  milk  and  its  physical 
characteristics.”  There  are  certain  easy  experiments  to  be 
tried,  and  if  lessons  of  this  sort  on  the  lines  here  indicated 
fail  to  interest  the  children  and  give  them  some  notion  of 
the  value  and  uses  of  milk  it  must  be  the  teacher’s  fault. 
We  should  like  to  see  a  further  list  of  subjects.  We  should 
•class  this  as  a  glorified  object  lesson  scientifically  demon¬ 
strated.  Still  on  milk.  No  good  results  for  butter  where 
any  atom  or  suspicion  of  dirt  is  permitted — the  old  story, 
good  stuff  spoilt  by  carelessness  respecting  detail. 
Cows. — These  good  people  have  more  quickly  arrived  at 
the  solution  of  some  of  the  great  agricultural  problems  than 
we.  It  has  long  been  stated  that  cows  vary  in  value  of 
their  milk  in  a  most  wonderful  manner,  many  never  being 
worth  their  keep ;  but  this  fact  has  by  no  means  been 
universally  acted  upon  ;  but  the  Victorians  not  only  have 
found  out  the  fact,  but  are  taking  active  steps  to  eliminate 
from  then’  herds  all  inferior  cows,  keeping  only  the  best 
and  truest  types.  They  have  got  a  long  way  on  the  road 
that  leads  to  “grading  up.”  There  is  a  capital  sketch  of  a 
cow,  a  typical  dairy  animal.  In  the  shire  of  Narracan  we 
find  from  the  inspector’s  report  there  are  something  like 
9,000,  and  180  hand  and  thirty-five  steam  separators.  One 
enterprising  farmer  has  introduced  two  milking  machines, 
which,  if  they  answer  well,  will  doubtless  be  taken  up  by  a 
large  majority  of  the  dairymen. 
Evidently  there  is  a  future  for  wine  makers  in  Victoria, 
and  attention  is  being  paid  to  the  Grape  Vine,  and  some  of 
the  best  French  methods  of  manufacture  are  advocated. 
After  the  agriculture  proper,  there  is  a  section  devoted  to 
horticulture,  which  really  should  always  go  hand  in  hand 
with  the  first-named  one,  being  only  an  elaborated  form  of 
the  other.  The  first  paper  is  on  “Quality  in  Fruit.”  Here 
again,  comes  the  old  story,  the  best,  and  only  the  best, 
worthy  of  cultivation.  Nq  knew  the  old  adage  about  beating 
the  Walnut  tree;  but  we  did  not  know  that  “peppering” 
fruit  trees  with  blunderbus  and  flintlock,  or  the  hammering 
into  the  bark  of  old  nails,  &c.,  was  a  form  of  pruning,  now 
happily  discarded  for  better  and  newer  methods.  Fruit, 
flowers,  vegetables,  all  get  their  share  of  attention,  and  then 
we  are  turned  off  on  to  the  tobacco  industry.  It  is  stated 
that  the  moth  Avhose  grub  does  such  damage  to  the  young 
plants  shows  a  great  predilection  for  Honeysuckle,  and  while 
feeding  on  it  many  were  destroyed.  The  Mason  wasp,  too, 
was  seen  to  carry  off  the  grub,  and  in  so  doing  proves  a 
vahiable  ally  to  the  grower. 
With  all  the  stock  the  country  carries  there  must  be  an 
immense  quantity  of  hides,  far  more  than  can  be  used  at 
home  ;  but  the  tanning  industry  is  so  far  in  its  infancy  that 
the  leather  produced  is  not  acceptable  in  the  European 
markets.  The  subject  is  to  be  taken  up  ;  in  fact,  is  taken 
up.  and  with  trained  curriers  we  see  no  reason  to  doubt  that 
the  leather  of  the  future  Avill  be  quite  equal  to  any  of  home 
manufacture.  Meat  being  cheap,  a  charge  is  brought  against 
the  butchers  for  badly  flayed  hides,  and  against  the  cattle 
owners  for  deeply  branding. 
There  are  two  coloured  plates,  beautifully  executed,  of 
insectivorous  birds.  The  nankeen  kestrel  and  the  Austra¬ 
lian  bee-eater,  the  latter  most  attractive  in  appearance. 
Fortunately  for  these  birds,  as  well  as  for  many  others,  there 
are  strict  Game  Laws.  It  is  greatly  to  the  discredit  of 
human  nature  that  beautiful  birds  and  animals  unless  strictly 
preserved  are  almost  sure  to  stand  the  chance  of  becoming 
extinct. 
It  is  not  only  in  English  farm  houses  where  poultry  is 
badly  prepared  for  market.  There  is  nothing  like  ocular 
demonstration,  and  here  we  find  a  page  of  poor  miserable 
•  creatures  badly  dressed,  and  out  of  all  shape  and  form. 
Avith  the  legend  underneath,  “  Hoaa^  not  to  do  it.”  There  is 
another  photograph  of  birds,  looking  quite  their  best,  neat, 
tidy,  compact,  quite  another  race  of  beings.  It  does  seem  a  .  > 
pity  to  see  good  food  spoilt,  or,  at  least,  depreciated  so 
much  in  value  by  sheer  carelessness.  Mysterious  deaths 
among  poultry  having  been  reported,  an  expert  was  sent  to  v 
investigate  the  cause,  which  he  found  to  be  due  to  a  parasite 
(Argasides),  or  foAvl  tick.  The  matter  has  assumed  serious 
proportion.s,  and  threatens  to  spoil  the  large  trade  established 
in  dressed  birds.  HoAvever,  stringent  measures  are  to  be 
taken,  and  possibly  this  pest  Avill  be  stamped  out,  the 
Minister  of  Agriculture  not  considering  this  inatter  as  being  y 
too  small  to  come  under  his  careful  consideration.  -s 
As  much  butter  is  shipped  for  export,  the  Government  ^ 
have  started  butter  competitions  Avith  prizes,  as  tending  to 
keep  makers  up  to  the  mark.  The  selection  of  judges  (three)  y 
appears  to  us  very  fair.  One  is  to  be  chosen  by  the  com- 
petitors,  one  by  the  agents,  and  one  by  the  Government.  ^ 
Here  is  an  opening  for  the  iDest  butter,  carefully  packed  in 
tin  cases,  at  the  different  Chinese  ports.  At  Shanghai  extra 
California,  packed  in  the  glass  jars,  makes  5s.  per  lb.  Japan  ^ 
and  the  Philippines  also  have  promising  markets  for  good 
butter.  ■<- 
There  is  a  pictorial  object  lesson  for  butchers  in  dressed 
lamb.  What  a  difference  good  dressing  makes.  When  in 
the  two  months  of  November  and  December  100,000  carcases 
Avere  frozen  at  the  Government  cool  stores,  we  begin  to  see 
Avhat  a  big  thing  this  export  lamb  trade  is,  and  it  seems  a  _ 
folly  to  run  any  risk  of  spoiling  it  by  killing  inferior  meat 
or  by  badly  dressing  the  good. 
There  is  an  Agricultural  College  at  Dookie,  and  as  the  : 
farm  has  an  area  of  4,860  acres  there  is  room  for  practical 
demonstration  for  all  the  pupils.  Stock  kept  on  the  farm  is 
as  follows :  — 2,000  sheep,  150  cattle,  50  horses,  and  so  forth. 
Fees,  £25  per  annum,  Avith  extra  £3  for  medical  attendance, 
books,  laundry,  and  mending,  and  there  are  also  several 
scholarships.  Wine-making  is  one  of  the  subjects  taught. 
We  have  been  very  pleased  Avith  the  little  volume,  and 
congratulate  our  Victorian  cousins  Avith  being  so  up-to-date. 
[Part  1,  vol.  1,  was  issued  in -January,  1902.  Copies  are 
obtainable  at  the  Agricultural.  Dept.  Offices  of  the  Victorian 
Government,  153,  l.‘)5,  Leadenhab  Street,  LonOon,  E.C. — Ed.] 
Work  on  tlie  Home  Farm.  : 
Wg  haA^e  liad  a  AA'eek  of  A^ery,  cold  winds,  with  occasional  heavy 
showers  of  rain  and  sleet.  It  has  not  been  ideal  weather  for  vege¬ 
tation,  but  nevertheless  the  crops  look  fairly  Avell.  The  Wheat 
has  all  been  Avell  harrowed,  and  looks  much  better  for  it.  Tire  t 
thin  Wheat  is  improving  rapidly,  and  is  proving  the  good  condi- 
tion  of  the  land.  HarroAving  such  a  thin  plant  is  rather  ti'ying  ' 
Avork,  harroAving  to  the  feelings  as  well,  and  requires  much  firm- 
ness  of  purpose.  Much  faith  al,so  i.s  needed  Avhen  Ave  see  the  % 
sparse  ]5lants  apparently  destroyed.  We  have  seen  one  or  tAvo  ( 
fields  of  forward  Avell  planted  Wheat  looking  a  little  yelloAA'  and 
sickly  under  the  influence  of  the  cold  Avinds.  These  fields  are  in  t 
good  condition,  and  the  crop  should  recover  its  colour  Avith  F. 
Avarmer  weather.  Where,  hoAvever,  there  is  the  same  or  similar 
appearance  on  land  of  poor  character  or  condition,  a  dressing  of  ' 
nitrate  of  soda.  AA  ould  be  desirable.  One  hundredweight  per  acre  A 
Avould  cost  about  10s.,  and  Avould  pay  by  the  increase  of  straAv 
alone,  noAv  that  commodity  is  so  scarce  and  dear. 
The  Turnip  land  is  Avorking  beautifully.  The  di'ying  Avinds  and 
the  shoAvers  haA'e  reduced  it  to  that  most  desirably  mealy  condition 
Avhich  Ave  are  all  aiming  at.  Everything  else  is  favourable  for  ^ 
drilling,  but  the  soil  and  atmosphere  are  too  cold  yet.  We  must  f\ 
Avait  for  a  rise  of  shade  temperature  before  drilling  any  great 
depth  of  Turnips.  The  Turnip  is  hardy,  but,  like  the  neAvly 
hatched  chicken,  it  needs  Avarmth.  --s 
The  autumn  planted  Cabba'ge  look  Avell.  They  have  been  horse 
hoed  some  time  ago,  and  hand  hoeing  is  just  completed.  They  Avill  ij 
need  the  horse  hoe  once  more  and  then  receive  ocAvt  of  soot  per  ^ 
acre.  We  have  tried  all  manner  of  manures  for  Cabbage,  and  s 
find  this  the  best,  especially  if  there  is  much  ground  game  to  con-  || 
tend  Avith .  ^ 
M’^inter  Tares  are  lengthening  appreciably,  and  should  be  just 
moAving  height  by  June  1.  We  shall  be  Amry  thankful  and  eager  k 
to  begin  of  them,  though  it  Avill  be  almost  like  murder.  Fortu-  .S 
nately,  there  is~a  good  breadth,  so  we  can  afford  to  be  generous  3 
to  the  live  .stock,  Avhich  are  all  on  too  short  commons  at  present,  jl 
Ewes  are  making  a  gallant  struggle  against  adversity  on  the  thin  g 
seed  pastures,  but  they  are  in  sadly  poor  condition,  which  the  ^ 
Avpol  prevents  us  noticing  as  much  as  Ave  ought.  We  shall  Avash  fl 
and  clip  them  at  the  first  favourable  opportunity.  Wool  requires  .9 
support,  and  should  be  taken  off  immediately  Avhen  it  can  be  9 
spared.  Sheep  aLvays  thrive  better  after  they  are  shorn  if  the  9 
,  AA’eather  be  at  all  suitable.  9 
