fruit, that it possesses a good but not excessive ventilation, and that it can be kept dark, as light always shrivels fruit. Where the soil will make piza, this is the best material for the sides of the store, which should have a ceiling of slabs or saplings covered with earth, and the whole should be protected from the rain by a bark roof, or a bark roof below and a zinc roof above. The fruit can be stored in bins formed of slabs placed on the floor, and with sides of slabs, which can be 3 or more feet in depth; or they may be stored on shelves to a depth of a foot or so. In any case, if they are free from blemish and well sweated, they will keep well if the temperature is kept even and there is enough but not too much ventilation. The fruit is sweated by storing it for a few days, in the cases in which it is picked, in a building or shed that is well ventilated, as this will tend to dry out the superfluous water in the skin; and when the skins are dry the fruit may be stored without any fear of further sweating. If you find that the fruit begins to shrivel in the dark, then there is too much ventilation, and it must be reduced. This applies to mature fruit picked at the right stage, which I mentioned in the Notes for March, as immature fruit will shrivel under any conditions. Fruit for storing requires careful handling, and all bruised, blemished, or wormy fruit should be carefully removed, as, if stored with the sound fruit, they will not only rot, but will cause the sound fruit near them to rot. Extra care in handling and selecting always pays with fruit that is to be stored. When new orchards are to be planted the land should be got ready not later than this month, as, if it is new land, it should never have less than two to three months' weathering before the trees are planted, as this will sweeten the land and render it much kinder to work. Prepare the land thoroughly; it is the cheapest in the end, as the after-cultivation is always much easier, and it is impossible to make as good a job after the trees are planted as before. Keep down all weeds in the orchard, and fight any diseases that may require it. When pear-trees are badly attacked with pear-mite, spray with resin and soda wash as soon as the leaves begin to fall, which they will shortly do in some of the cold districts. This will tend to destroy large numbers of the insects, as they are then migrating from the leaves to their winter quarters. Cherries that have been attacked by shot-hole fungus should also be sprayed as soon as the leaves fall, in this case using Bordeaux mixture. Peaches attacked with rust should also be similarly treated. Other spraying will probably be better deferred to May or June, except there are any insect pests calling for immediate treatment. General Notes. TO PREVENT RUST IN IRON PIPES. BOIL coal tar for four or five hours, keeping the temperature lower than the point at which a feather dipped will singe or curl with the heat. Try samples by dipping straws and cooling in cold water. When the tar has become so thick that it will almost stand handling wet without sticking, the fire may be withdrawn. When cold the tar ought to be so thick that it can with difficulty be dug out with a ladle. Warm a little in a ladle, take it off the fire and stir in methylated spirit till thinner than paint, then plug up one end of the pipe and fill half full. Turn the pipe round and empty it and drain. TOMATOES ALL THE YEAR ROUND. MR. J. G. O'CONNOR of the Hunter District Water and Sewerage Board, writing from Newcastle, February 3rd, 1896, says "It may be interesting to you to know that I have grown, without taking the least trouble, tomatoes The Plum,' all the year round for the past two years; and I have also grown the Turk's Cap Chili' the whole year through, in fact I have a plant in full bearing now that has been so for the past three seasons. I read the Agricultural Gazette with much interest and get many a hint from it." Southern New England P. and A. Association (Uralla) J. D. Leece ... N. Emanuel Secretary. Date. ... A. B. Chippindale Jan. 7, 8 ... ... ... ... ... ... C. A. Cork T. Kennelly ... Tumbarumba and Upper Murray P. and A. Society Cumnock P., A., and H. Association Armidale and New England P., A., and H. Association W. H. Allingham Port Macquarie and Hastings District A. and H. Society ... ... Gundagai P. and A. Society Crookwell P. and A. Association Blayney P. and A. Association ... ... Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Castle Hill and District A. and H. Association... April 1 to 7 National Pomological Society Molong P. and A. Society... Bathurst A., H., and P. Association Upper Hunter P. and A. Association (Muswellbrook)... D. H. Allan Upper Manning (Wingham) A. and H. Association Hunter River A. and H. Association (West Maitland)... W. C. Quinton Liverpool Plains P., A., and H. Association (Tamworth) A. M‘Leod Clarence P. and A. Society (Grafton) Wellington P., A., and H. Association Dubbo P. and A. Association ... J. C. Wilcox Moree P. and A. Society (late Gwydir P. and A. Walgett P. and A. Association Cobar P. and A. Association H. Munckton ... May 4, 5 ... June 3, 4 (about) ... ... ... T. Clarke F. C. Tompson... June 4, 5 C. N. Culley ... July 18, 19 T. W. Blanche.. 23, 24 A. D. M'Innes... 29, 30 Sept. 9, 10 2,3 Secretaries of Societies are asked to forward dates of forthcoming Shows as soon as decided. [6 Plates.] Ε HAWKESBURY AGRICULTURAL PRINCIPAL MR. J. L. THOMPSON, J.P. COLLEGE. Thorough Practical and Scientific Training in all Branches of Agriculture. NEXT Session commences 3rd February, 1896. An Entrance Examination will not be necessary, but each applicant must supply a certificate showing a fair competency in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Applications received on or before the 20th January will be enrolled. Prospectus and Entry Forms obtainable on application to the Principal or to the undersigned. HARRIE WOOD, Under Secretary for Mines and Agriculture. Department of Mines and Agriculture, Sydney, 19th October, 1895. DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND AGRICULTURE, Sydney, 15th October, 1895. FOR SALE. Improved Corn and Cob Grinding Mill (Second Hand), in Good Condition. In this machine the corn and the cob can be ground up together easily and rapidly. It is built in the most simple manner, the power developed by the team being directly applied to the work, while the connection between the parts ensures not only the direct application of the power but an entire absence of the usual unsteadiness. PRICE, £10. For any further particulars apply to J. L. THOMPSON, Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond. |