Farm Notes.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 6 October 1891, Page 2

Farm Notes.

# Consternation has been caused in agricultural circles says an English \ paper by an invasion of the diamond black moth upon the turnip orops, At the time of writing the attack ex* tends from Yarmouth to Forfar and the ingenuity of Miss Ormerod aqfethe farmers is greatly taxed to prevent its spreading and to destroy it in those parts where it has already obtained a foothold. It is nearly fifty years since this moth attacked the British turnips in so determined a manner. The caterpillar grows to about half an inch in length, is bright green in colour, and tapers towards both ends. It feeds chiefly on the under side of the leaves and is, therefore, very dißSoult to get at. The best means to adopt, apparently, is to apply stimulating dressings to the crops to enable them to grow rapidly— nitrate of soda is quickest in operation. Several broods appear in one summer so that the farmer will not be safe even if he sow a second crop of turnips to replace those already destroyed. In the Victorian Government Ga* zette the Minister of Agriculture announces an offer of £200 as a reward for an improved machine for digging potatoes. The reward is payable " only to the inventor (or his agent) of such machine as shall more efficiently, cheaply and rapidly perform the work of digging, lifting from the ground without bruising or cutting and place in rows or heaps potatoes ready for bagging." The machine must also be an improvement upon any other hitherto used in Australia, and one or more trials are to be made as the Minister may direct. Intending competitors must notify their intention to the Secretary for Agriculture, Melbourne, not later than «SOth November next. Messrs Adams, Sons and Co., of Leith, wool brokers, report — We observe that many fleeces are wrongly rolled up, which frequently accouuts for a disappointing price. All fleeces, whether washed or unwashed, should be rolled up with the staple in and the skin side out, so that the tail is inside, and ending with the shoulders and neck, which should form the band, so that the finest part of the fleece is shown. The only exception is in the case of black-faced, which should be ro'led up similary, but with the staple out or exposed, and the skin side inside. String should not be used to form a band.