Farm and Garden.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 701, 10 November 1909, Page 2

Farm and Garden.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES, (All Right*s Reserved.) FANNING MILLS IN FARMING. The time has come when it is imperative for farmers, to sow clean seed, and the best way to insure that is for every farmer to clean his own seed., which means that he must have a fanning mill. Farmers are now growing grains of various kinds, and it is equally important that the seed of these are well cleaned, as that the seed, of wheat / should%e so prepared. Some years ago, seeds -were bought at market under the idea thas a change was good, and in that way many farms became infested with noxious weeds, but times have changed, and it is now recognised that home grown seed is more valuable than that which may be purchased, and that seed carefully cleaned and graded is the most correct thing, and equipped with a fanning mill a farmer should be able to improve the character of his seed every year, and that means a corresponding increase in his profits. Live stock, more or less, is now on most farms, and so the screenings taken from wheat or other grains can be used to excellent account in feeding one or other of the various kinds of live stock. Where grain is sent to_ elevators the screenings are simply given away, as no allowance is made for screenings. When the importance of the fanning mill is fully recognised, every farmer should have one, as the cost is very small.

A HANDY PROPAGATOR. Every amateur gardener will find a small propagator a very useful if not an almost necessary article, and in the illustration is shown a simple land .easily made appliance. The size of the frame will depend upon the amount of space available for its accommodation, consequently any suggestions given may be varied to suit individual requirements. A very fteeful size is that of a condensed milk box, e iqJ inches by 13J inches, which has the advantage of being strongly made and easily converted into a small propagator. Carefully remove one side and fix four small wood brackets, two on each end

about half-way up ,as shown in the sketch. On these brackets lay a sheet of iron plate, this can be obtained from any ironmonger at a cost of about sixpence. Next get a shallow iron tank made ii inches or 2 inches deep, and about one inch less in size all round than the interior of the box. To the top of the tank is fixed a length .of quarter inch compo tubing and fitted with a small funnel at its upper end. This is for the filler, and must be taken up one side of the frame as shown. Now cut the side taken off into pieces so that the bottom edge of the larger portion will, when fixed, be about level with the bottom corner of the brackets. From the remaining piece cut two strips ii inches wide, make a hole in one to pass the compo tubing through, and a "rabbit" down one end of each, to allow of the glass sliding in. Fill the tank, stand the box containing seeds in the top, slide in the glass, and by the aid of a small oil lamp placed below, a very effective propagator is at hand. $

OSIER WILLOWS FOR PROFIT. In many parts of the country there are to be found portions of land on farms which seem to be useless for cultivation, or, if under cultivation, the crops produced are poor, unsatisfactory and fail to give a good return to the'farmer. The soil in such places is found to be very poor, deficient in those substances needful to produce good crops, and often dry and sandy in its composition. To many farmers and landowners the heavy expenditure necessary for the production of good crops is frequently a bar, and such men ought to consider whether it , would not be worth their while to go in somewhat largely for willow ox '

osier growing. The demand for osiers far exceeds the supply, and the gap is filled up from abroad with an article inferior, it is said, to that pro-

duced in this State, which might grow all that is wanted with ease. An osier plantation produces a full crop" the third year, and continues for years afterwards with ftardly any attention' to culture. The planting is simple, merely consisting of sticking in'pieces of mature shoots 12 inches to 15 inchs long, about two feet apart to form the future stools. An acre of land will take about 7,000 stools, and these will give on an average about 10 wands each, or 70,000 to the acre. These are sold in bundles of 100 at about 2s. per bundle, or at the rate of nearly ,£7O per acre, a large proportion of which is clear profit. Growers may start with every confidence on a few acres of good moist land anywhere. Cutt- ; ings may be inserted now with the tops just clear of the soil.

A WORD ON GRAFTING. Generally speaking- this is about the best time for carrying- out grafting operations, or when the sap begins to rise freely. In the case of young trees these are ready some week or ten days in advance of the older ones. The principle of grafting is invariably the same, but there are several modifications, more, or less adapted for different subjects,, or calculated to insure expedition as well as efficiency. The most expeditious, generally useful and most frequently practised in this country, is known as "Whip or Splice, Grafting,'' Fig. I. The stock and scion may be of equal size, when the most perfect union can be effected; or- the former may be of any age or size without materially affecting the

success of the operation. Where both stock and scion are of equal thickness, the former after being headed down to the required point, should have a cut made in a sloping direction. Use a very sharp knife, as success is greatly facilitated by a clean even cut. Cut the scion in like manner, reversing the direction so as to form an exact counterpart. Having cut stock and scion to fit each other, firmly secure them in position by tying with a piece of raffia. All that now remains to be done is thickly to surround the joint with grafting clay to protect it from atmosphere changes. In saddle grafting, Fig. 11., both stock and scion .should be of equal thickness. The stock, after being headed down, should be cut at the top to form a tapering wedge, point upwards. Slit -the scion down the middle, and cut_ - a piece out so as to fit saddle fashion on the wedge end of the stock. Afterwards .tie and protect with clay as in whip grafting.