ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VII, Issue 1, 15 July 1913, Page 99

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CORRESPONDENTS are requested, when desiring information through the Journal in regard to disease in animals and plants, to forward, where possible, affected specimens, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis of the trouble, and to ensure the best advice. In stating a question, the most complete descriptive details should be furnished. Manuring. -

H. L., Burnside,

Kaitieke

1. What manure’would you advise for oats ; also silver-beet? . . 2. What is your opinion of broadcasting silver-beet on bush burn in place of rape ? The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, 1 . Oats : On average soil the undermentioned manures are recommended : •3 cwt. superphosphate, 1 cwt. sulphate of potash, 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia or dried blood per acre. Silver-beet : The Department’s Journal for June contains an article on this subject, with particulars of manures required in order to cultivate this plant successfully. - 2. I am not aware of this having been tried, and should be doubtful as to the result. Silver-beet has done well under different conditions, but the best results will be obtained only where good cultivation has been provided.

Belladonnas not flowering. Mrs. M. Blackett, Te Kowhai, Ngaruawahia : I have a patch of belladonna lilies which have flowered for several years until the last two years. Can you tell me, through the Agricultural Journal, the reason why. they have not flowered ?

Mr. W. H. Taylor

replies,—

Probably the bulbs have degenerated through crowding. Dig them up and replant them. Keep the bulbs well apart. Plant deeply, covering the tops of the bulbs quite 6 in. with soil. .

Sick Horses. —Dogs affected with Worms.

Mr. Allan P. Fisher,

Swanson :

1. I have two old horses whose bowels have been very loose for several weeks. They seem to be getting worse, and falling away. They have little work, and are well -fed. What would you advise as a remedy ? 2. What is the treatment for dog with worms (worm about 1 in. long, f in. wide, A in. thick, radistea head) ? ' ‘

. ‘ The Director of Live-stock and Meat Division replies,— : 1. It is difficult to say what is the cause. It might be due to intestinal parasites’ or to something in connection with the food. You do not say what kind of food they are getting, or whether it is of good quality, but presume they eat fairly well as you say they are well fed. The cause of the condition is evidently the same in both cases, as they are showing similar symptoms. I should give the animals a few bran mashes, and then one pint each of raw linseed-oil. Afterwards give them good sound food in which about i lb. to 2 lb. of bean-meal per horse per diem has been mixed. . Cj ' 4. 2. This is evidently one of the tapeworms, but which species we could not say without examination. Starve the dog for twenty-four hours before giving medicine,

which preferably should be given in the morning. Areca-nut freshly powdered is about the best remedy. The dose of this is about 2 grains per pound weight of dog. For a sheep-dog about 1 dram of areca-nut with 3 grains of santonin should be given in two tablespoonfuls of warm milk. Keep the dog in a confined place so that you can observe whether any worms are expelled. In case they are, they should be destroyed. It may be’necessary to repeat the dose in aylay or so.

..-A . ••• Top-dressing Pasture. , ....a “ Grass,” Temuka : • • . .. I have two 12-acre paddocks of grass, which under ordinary conditions I should have ploughed up and sown in wheat, as the grass is in need of .renewing. G The ground is not extra heavy, but a very good, sweet soil. Would you tell me whether, in your opinion, a top-dressing of basic slag would be beneficial ; and, if so, the quantity to sow per acre ? And whether the grass should be harrowed ; and, if so, with what sort of harrow for preference, after top-dressing ? I sowed down a paddock, but as the grass did not do very well I have to still keep these two paddocks for grass for next season. Also please state when is the best time to apply manure or slag.

The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — A top-dressing of basic slag would undoubtedly be beneficial and tend to bring out the finer grasses and clovers. Sow 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. per acre. It is not necessary to harrow, and the manure should be sown as soon as possible, so that the winter rains may wash it thoroughly in. It is advisable to keep stock off the paddocks after sowing slag until a heavy rain. There is said to be the possibility of danger should stock lick it up. Paspalum Dilatatum.

Mr. F. Mahy,

The Strand, Whakatane :

Could you tell me the best and cheapest way to treat a field of paspalum which has been in for some years—about six or more ? Have you any record of successful treatment as to the best manure— it requires lime, &c. ? I want to get the most feed from it for cows. Is it suitable for making ensilage ? I noticed an account in your Journal, I think, of some one disc-ploughing it: what time should this be done ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division, replies,— Would advise harrowing the field in spring with either heavy tine or disc harrows; the former if the ground be light and sandy, and the latter if heavy and hard, so as to make a seed-bed. The seed requires light covering, and, in order to give it some protection from birds, a light brush harrow should be drawn over the field after sowing, then well rolled with heavy roller: this is very essential. Top-dress with 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. basic slag per acre.

Lucerne. “ Morice,” Puaha, Little River : It.,is my intention to try about three-quarters of an acre of lucerne. I ; am preparing ground with a crop of early potatoes, which will be harvested about the end of January. Would it be as well to let the ground be fallow, with occasional grubbing to kill weeds, or could I get a catch-crop of, say, millet, and sow. the lucerne about September, following the potatoes ; or would you advise sowing lucerne directly the potatoes are gathered ? . ' . . The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— Advise letting the ground lie fallow,"with occasional: grubbing to keep down weeds; but as the. best results would be’obtained by sowing the lucerne in September or October you might take a crop of millet from the ground. . Would also advise before sowing the lucerne to give the ground a dressing of lime at the rate of 15 cwt. to 1 ton per acre.

Lucerne. • “ Subscriber,” Hatherley, Fendalton, Christchurch':—1. What variety of lucerne has been found best suited for permanent crop ? 2. What quantity of seed, say, per rood ? 3. And where can such seed be obtained ? 4. I conclude the best sowing-time would be September. 5. And what manure (artificial) is best to sow with the seed ? I have a small plot of clean land now carrying mangels, and which will be easily kept clean until lucerne is established. I think it will do well with me, as I have dug out individual plants rooting down to moisture 5 ft.

The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — 1. Hunter River or Marlborough grown seed. 2. Sow 15 lb. to 20 lb. per acre. 3. Can procure from any good firm of seedsmen. 4. September or October is the best time for sowing. 5. Lime at the rate of 15 cwt. to 1 ton per acre. Should be applied some time before sowing. After sowing apply basic slag 3 cwt., and kainit or sulphate of potash 1 cwt., per acre. After sowing, the land should be firmly rolled.

Alsike Clover and Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil. Mr. James M. Waddell, Clarkville, North Canterbury : . 1. Could you give me information about growing alsike clover for seed ? 2. What is the proper amount of seed to sow ? 3. Could any grasses be sown with it that would not interfere with the harvesting and threshing of the alsike ? 4. Would it be appropriate to sow with oats in the spring, and close up for seed the following season ? 5. Could you give similar information with respect to growing greater birdsfoot trefoil for seed ? ' The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — 1. Alsike clover grows best in damp places, on soils of a rich nature and containing lime. ■ - 2. 9 lb. to 13 lb. of pure germinating seed. 3. If the clover is being grown for seed it would be inadvisable to sow other grasses with it, on account of these not ripening at the same time. 4. Clover sown with oats is not usually so successful as when sown with wheat, as oats are very leafy and their shade hurts the clover. If oats be sown, a good system is to sow as heavy as 2 bushels per acre with the clover-seed, and when the oats are about 16 in. high turn in sheep to eat the crop down quickly, then take the sheep off and let the crops come again. This may be repeated two or three times in the summer, care being taken not to let the animals remain too long at a time. Strong stands of clover are secured this way. 5. Same remarks practically apply to greater birdsfoot trefoil except in the case of question 4. It would not be advisable to sow with a crop of oats.

Fertilizers, etc. G. O. R., Port Albert . 1. What is the proper time to sow silver-beet, and the manure ? 2. What is the best kind of turnip to sow Tor sheep, and how much manure should be put per acre ? ' . 3. How many pounds of inoculated soil is necessary per acre to inoculate soil ? 4. Where can it be obtained, and the cost ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,- — . ■ 1. In spring, as soon as ground is warm,-and about end of March in autumn. Mangel-manure is a suitable fertilizer, and should be applied at the rate of about 3 cwt. to the acre. As it is impossible to state definitely what manure is-neces-

sary for the crop in all soils and situations, the farmer must decide this matter for himself by discovering the manurial requirements of his particular soil. The following mixtures are recommended to the growers of silver-beet, for testing the question, by Mr. B. C. Aston, Chief Agricultural Chemist: —Plot 1 : 1 cwt. superphosphate, 1 cwt. island guano, -J cwt. seed gypsum, per acre. Plot 2 : i|cwt. superphosphate, 2 cwt. island guano, per acre. Plot 3: No manure (one Tow). Plot 4: 1 cwt. superphosphate, J cwt. island guano, | cwt. dried blood, | cwt. seed gypsum, per acre. Plot 5 : 1 cwt. superphosphate, | cwt. island guano, | cwt. dried blood, J cwt. sulphate of potash, per acre. 2. Imperial Green Globe (soft) ; Fosterton Hybrid ; Centenary. Superphosphate 2 cwt., bonedust 1 cwt., per acre. 3. 300 lb. to 400 lb. 4. Ruakura Farm of Instruction, Hamilton East. 2s. per cwt., f.o.r.

Cocksfoot.—Acids for destroying Stumps.

Mr. H. Raymond Smith,

Valley Farm, Towai

1. To what extent is cocksfoot a milk-producing grass ? 2. Can you recommend the use of acids (nitric and sulphuric) for destroying stumps ? The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— 1. There are large areas in New Zealand used for dairying on which cocksfoot is sown in mixtures, but it cannot be said that it would be the most suitable for milk-producing if used alone. There are numbers of grasses more so— e,g., perennial, rye and meadow foxtail. These, however, would probably not succeed in your district, whilst cocksfoot would. 2. Experiments with nitric and sulphuric acids are being carried on at present by the Department, but nothing definite has been arrived at. It has been reported that these acids have given good results in other parts. • • *

Silver-beet. Mangawekac— .

Mr. A. Dalziell,

Could you inform me through your Journal,— 1. How much silver-beet seed it would take to sow an acre ? 2. What manure would be the best to use ? An article on silver-beet appearing in the June number of the Journal deals with the points raised.— Ed.

Feeding of Calves and Pigs.

Mr. James Walker,

Alton, Taranaki: —

1. What quantity of linseed would it be advisable to use in. whey, for rearing calves weaned from fresh milk ? 2. What is the best method of preparing linseed ? 3. Would you recommend the addition of . any other foodstuff with linseed to produce a more equally balanced ration ? . 4. What would you advise adding to whey for pig-fattening ?

The Director of the Live-stock and Meat Division replies,— i and 2. Soak 2 lb. whole linseed and 2 lb. oatmeal overnight in 3 gallons of water ; boil for twenty minutes, adding J lb. flour (which has previously been mixed in a small quantity of -water to prevent lumps). Give 1 pint of this gruel to every 4 pints of separated milk or whey three times daily. 3. Yes ; after two months old, in addition to the above, give J lb. each crushed oats and oil-cake' daily, with good hay. 4. About 4 lb. meal per day to every 100 lb. live weight of pig, to be mixed with pulped roots or whey. See also Journal of April last, in which an article on pig-rearing appears, . '

Inoculated Soil for Lucerne.

Mr. J. Bice,

Te Rehunga, near Dannevirke :

1. Kindly inform me where I can get some inoculated soil for lucerne. 2. Would it be possible to buy a small quantity ? 3. I sowed lucerne-seed last October —a patch a chain square. It grew splendidly for three months, then withered down and disappeared. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— 1. Inoculated soil may be obtained from the Manager of the Moumahaki Experimental Farm, Waverley, at a cost of 2s. per cwt. f.o.r. 2. Small quantities may be obtained. 3. It is impossible to give any reason for the failure of your lucerne crop, as I am not familiar with the conditions of your soil, &c.

Artichokes.

Mr. A. H. Wheeler,

Rotomanu, Westland

What is the most suitable manure for artichokes ; the best time to apply ; and in what quantities, to produce tubers for pig-feed, on land consisting of sandy loam that has produced a good crop of artichokes this season, and pigs turned in to root for themselves ? Most of the stalks and all the leaves were eaten by calves. Rainfall abundant. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— Farmyard manure is undoubtedly the best, but if this be not available the land should be well prepared in the autumn and given a good dressing of 4 cwt. of superphosphate on the lighter classes of land or 5 cwt. of basic slag on heavier land. Where the land is sandy or gravelly an application of 2 cwt. of kainit added to the above would be beneficial. Kainit mixed with super., however, is difficult to sow through a drill unless mixed with peat or humus.

Linseed-growing.

Mr. S. C. Harris,

Poranui, Banks Peninsula :

The land is heavy loam, on a sandy clay subsoil. 1. The correct depth to sow seed ? 2. Should the seed be pickled with bluestone or anything else ? 3. Should every coulter run ? 4. Is manure—-3 cwt. of super, and t cwt. of sulphate of potash—necessary on rich land ? 5. Is there a danger of fat-hen smothering young plants ? 6. Does frost hurt young plants ? 7. Are there any diseases to contend with ? 8. Can crop be cut with a reaper-and-binder ? 9. Does it shake easily when ripe ? 10. Is the best time to cut flax when absolutely dead ripe ? Four crops of wheat and three crops of barley have been taken off land previously. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— 1. The depth to plant varies somewhat with the soil and season. On heavy, wet soils the seed should be planted shallower than on the lighter soils. In ordinary soils this should not be deeper than 1 in. to in. 2. It may be necessary to pickle, but as the plant is liable to disease, formalin is recommended as the cheapest effectual solution. Mix 1 pint of formalin with 40 gallons of water. This would treat 100 bushels of seed. Spread the seed on a floor and spray with the solution. Stir the seed rapidly during spraying, and continue the stirring for some time to aid the drying. 3. Seeds should be planted in rows 6 in. to 8 in. apart. By this method the plants have a better chance to branch and form seed-bolls.

4. If the land be. very.;.rich, or has been well manured before, I should not think the manures you mention necessary. 5. If fat-hen has been growing on the land, and the seed has been-allowed to drop, there would be.danger of its smothering other plants, as it is a fast grower. 6. Frost is very detrimental. The seed should not be planted until all danger is .past.. ' ’ > 7. There are diseases, such as wilt and rust, but if the seed be treated as above mentioned there should be no danger, especially as linseed has not previously been grown on the land. . . . . .. y 8. The crop can be cut with a reaper-and-binder. Twine is seldom used—the crop is laid out as from a mower. ' If twine be used, the bundles are gathered into small loose shooks to admit of rapid drying. These are-left until well dried on thy upper side and then turned. • . - 9. The seed is liable to shake when ripe. ■ 10. It is advisable to cut before the dead-ripe stage is reached. ,

Agricultural Publications.

Mr. C. D. Harvey,

Post-office Box 1017, Auckland :

Would you inform me of the best publications on general agriculture most applicable to a beginner in this Dominion ? Master A. McMillan, care A. McAuley, Esq., Mersey Street, Oamaru : I am sitting for an agricultural scholarship at the end of the year, and would be pleased, if you would send me a list of the names of any other books or pamphlets that would in any way further my knowledge of the subject; also a list of the costs.

. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, ...■ ?■-. Good text-books on agriculture are Fream’s or Webb’s Elements of Agriture.” These books are sold by most stationers. A Useful book containing a considerable amount of information on agriculture is “ Brett’s Colonist Guide,” obtainable at the Star Printing Office, Auckland. A very complete work on agriculture is the Standard Cyclopedia of Modern Agriculture, edited by Professor R. P. Wright. This is in twelve volumes, and is really a valuable reference. The series cost about five guineas, and would require to be ordered.

Green Manures.—Tares

Mr. James Y. M. Comrie,

Runciman :

1. Have fern, tea-tree, and gorse any value as green manure, or would it be better cleared before ploughing ? 2. What time should tares be sown for seed, and what time for winter feed ? The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— 1. Young fern and young gorse would have small value as green manure, but I would advise cutting the plants and burning them on the ground. More benefit would probably be derived in this way than by ploughing in. 2. For seed, sow tares in September ; for winter feed, in April.

• Lucerne. Messrs. Newsham Bros., Noah's Ark, Ormond : Being practically new-chums at dairy-farming (having spent most of our time among sheep), my brothers and I have been greatly worried over putting in green feed for cows. We took over this place last July, my brothers looking after it while I went home to England on business. Last summer, having no green feed for the cows, was very hard on us, and we are determined not to be caught again. About a fortnight ago I finished ploughing up about 4J acres of flat, with the idea of putting in lucerne in the spring. Now, this ground has not been ploughed for ten years; and I might say that it is very sour. The soil, from 4 in. to 6 in.-, is

a nice black soil, but below this we "get what we . call “ bastard; clay.”, ;'!■ have never attempted to plough such .hard ground before. Instead of the shear cutting glean underneath the sod, the soil and clay stuck together,, and would lift right out of the furrow, leaving holes from 8 in. to 10 in. Next time I came round the plough .would be buried up to the axle of the disc, while in other places it would scarcely skim it. Now, this flat runs alongside the Mohunga drain,- which empties itself into the Waipaoa River. There is very, little fall from here to the river, so that when in flood it banks up.the drain, and all the flats are under water until the river goes down, which as a rule is about a day and a half. Farmers about here say that I have done, a very foolish thing to plough up this ground, as it is tod wet for lucerne. Only one man about here has tried it. In summer we'have, to dig from .18 ft. to 20 ft. for water. .Now, sir, if you will give me your opinion I shall be pleased to follow your advice. As it gets so dry in summer we must have feed for our cows, and we do not.mean to sit down and trust to the grass. We are putting in a few acres of silver-beet for sheep also. Can we buy inoculated seed ? What is the best sort of seed to sow ? Does the Department sell seed,?. . Isbasic slag good for sour country ? ~ ... The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, From the description of the land it is doubtful if lucerne would succeed on it. The’ plant will not grow on swampy land, or land where water would be on the surface as long as stated, and free water must not be present in the soil continuously too near the surface. It does no harm to have , the lower roots reach permanent water, Lucerne succeeds on a variety of soils, but reaches its greatest perfection on deep alluvial sandy loams of river and creek valleys or bottoms. It prefers a light, soil to a heavy one, but in many localities is grown in heavy black soils and peeins to do well. Lime is its favourite mineral element. If the inquirer should decide to try this plant I would advise a heavy dressing of limeup to 1 ton per acre.. The land should be ploughed and the'lime applied, and then let-lie fallow until spring. In addition, an application of basic slag at the rate of 3 cwt. or 4 cwt. per acre before seeding would have a most beneficial effect. Inoculated soil can be purchased .from this Department. It should be applied at the rate of 3.cwt. per acre at the time of sowing. Either Hunter River or Marlborough grown , seed would be the best to sow. These can be procured from any firm of seedsmen.

Burr-clover Seed. “ Inquirer,” Flaxton : ' ■ ’ Could you inform me through the medium of the Journal if burr-clover seed is procurable in the Dominion ? . " i ( The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— o' Burr-clover seed would' be difficult to obtain in the Dominion. The F. H. Brunning Proprietary (Limited), 64 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria,. stock this seed.

Lime.

Mr. Charles Brown,

Hinuera :

0 I wish to get a few tons of lime for the land. Can I get the desired information in the Journal as to where it can be had at a nominal cost ? r ■ The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— Agricultural lime may be obtained from the Wilson Portland Cement Company, Tc Kuiti. . ; - . r

Feeding Stud Sheep.

Mr. H. S. Thompson,

Papanui, Christchurch :

■(’. ’ Will you kindly inform me through your Journal how to feed stud, sheep for show purposes,. together with any other information you may have on the same subject ? ~: : rWo.

The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— If sheep be fed liberally throughout the year—and I presume all show sheep -very little extra or expensive foods are required. As to the best method of getting sheep up for show, the choice lies between house and open-air feeding. Sheep are not so happy under cover as in the open air, and any judge can at once tell a shed-fed sheep by his wool. If housed, a certain amount of green feed will be required; probably lucerne would be the best. If feeding for any length of time, crushed oats with linseed cake, or chaffed lucerne and pollard, could be added. This would put on condition of the right sort, and in a very short time. Flabby fat should have no place in the show-ring. The condition should be firm, but not overfat.

Lucerne.

H. G., Waiuta,

Blackwater :

1. Would you kindly inform me through the Journal where I can obtain inoculated soil for lucerne-growing ; and does the Government supply it ? 2. Can you get bacteria-inoculation matter for lucerne-growing from seedmerchants ? 3. Is the Agriculture Department going to supply lucerne-seed this year ? 4. Would wood-ashes be a substitute for potash for those plants that require potash manures ? The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— 1. Inoculated soil for lucerne-growing may be obtained from either the Moumahaki Experimental Farm, Waverley, or the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, Hamilton, at a cost of 2s. per cwt. f.o.r. ; but I am afraid that the freight to your town would be a heavy item. You could probably obtain it from any well-esta-blished lucerne field in your district. 2. I do not think that seed-merchants keep inoculated soil. . 3. It has not yet been decided whether the Department will renew its offer of last year to supply sufficient seed, soil, and lime to cultivate an acre of lucerne; Should it be decided to do so, due notice will be given in the columns of the Journal. 4. Wood-ashes are in some cases a substitute for potash, but of course are not quite so good.

Choking of Cows. . • Messrs. Owen Bros., Richmond Road, Inglewood : We have read with much interest your reply to H. W., re choking cow, in your Journal of the 15th November, 1912. You say that if the rumen is much distended it may be punctured on the left side : can you tell us the correct spot to puncture ? ; In the event of our finding a cow sadly “ blown up ” through being choked with a turnip (she may be a mile away from home), would you advise puncturing immediately, as she would probably be unable to travel to the bails to enable us to carry out the treatment you advise ? During the past autumn we had a paddock of rape, upon which we turned the cows for about half an hour the first week or so. About the tenth day they were on for about an hour and a quarter. They were then turned off as usual on to pasture. Within an hour one was noticed very badly “ blown up,” and. she dropped dead a few minutes after. To avoid any similar occurrence, is it possible to distinguish when a cow has had too much green stuff, such as rape, clover, turniptops, &c. ? Could you inform us what her' first symptoms would be, and what course we should pursue ? . ’. J ' The Live-stock and Meat Division replies, The place where the rumen should be punctured is the centre of the triangular space bounded by the last rib in front, the flat processes of the spine above, and the hip-bone behind. This space is easily located in a thin cow. ■ When the stomach is distended with gas, however, the position does not appear the same. You try then to locate the spot as near as possible and puncture at the .most prominent part, directing the trochar downwards and inwards.

Should you find an animal blown up through being choked, get the trochar as quickly as possible and puncture her on the spot. If you attempted to move her she probably would not move more than a few yards before she collapsed. We do not know exactly what would enable you at first sight to distinguish between the distension due to choking and gaseous indigestion. The conditions under which the animal had been would help you. If she had been grazing on wet succulent food, such as green clover, &c., you would conclude the latter was the cause. .In either case you .would puncture. In a case of choking the accumulated gas generally escapes quickly, and the flank falls in. In gaseous indigestion the gas is generally mixed with the fermenting contents of the stomach, the latter often blocking up the canula and preventing the gas from escaping. In this case a piece of wire should be pushed down the canula to free it. Treatment of gaseous indigestion would depend a good deal on what has been eaten to cause the condition. Stimulants and chemical antidotes to fermentation should be given. Ammonia is usually found on a farm, and half an ounce of the strong liquid diluted with at least a quart of water may be given. Two ounces of turpentine mixed with the half-ounce of strong ammonia in a pint and a half of raw linseed-oil is about as good a thing as you can give.

Rape. G. H. G., Gordonton I purpose putting in some rape for pigs next spring. 1. What is .the earliest time I can sow under ordinary conditions ? 2. Would you. advise me to sow anything else with the rape ? 3. What, is the best manure to use ? The land I intend using is drained swamp of good quality. ' , - 4. Can you suggest anything better than rape for the purpose ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,1. Sow in July. 2. Sow peas or oats with rape. • 3. As the land is drained swamp, basic slag will be the best manure. Use 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. per acre. , 4. Peas, oats, maize, or mangels. The last should not be fed in a very fresh state ; they should be pitted or allowed to lie for a time to mature.

Totara Posts.

Mr. Ernest Phillips,

“ The Briars,” Streamlands, Auckland

Could you kindly inform me which is the better way to put in totara posts right way up, or upside down ? There has been a lot of argument on the matter here of late : some say one way, and some the other. It is contended that if they are put in upside down they last so much longer. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— Totara posts are of such durability that it is immaterial whether or not they be placed in the ground in the same position as they grew.

Poplar Timber. “ Subscriber,” Waipukurau : 1. Is the poplar suitable for timber for general woodwork purposes, such as butter-boxes, fruit-cases, and cabinetmaking ? 2. Is there any certain species that makes the best timber ? 3. What age would a tree require to be before it would be ready for use ? 4. Will it grow and thrive on either good or poor land ; or what nature of ■soil suits it best ? • ' The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies,— The poplar cannot be recommended for planting for timber. A much more suitable tree is Pinus radiata (P. insignis), the timber of which has been proved to be specially suitable for fruit-cases. It is also a good shelter-tree, and will grow in almost any soil or situation. For timber purposes the trees should be planted about 4 ft. apart each way, and should be ready for use in from twenty to thirty years’ time. ■