FARM AND GARDEN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4646, 13 February 1894, Page 3

FARM AND GARDEN.

Faim fold Maime.

1 Much has been said, and with 1 truth, of the value of good artificial 1 fertilizers, containing all the essentials i of plant food in concentrated form, or i such of them, as the soil in any particular distriot may be deficient in; but it must be borne in mind that these fertilizers are themselves unable to supply the soil with humus, the de« cayeci vegetable matter, whioh is such an important element in all good agricultural soils. As a consequence, farm-yard manure will always have a particular value, which nothing else can so well supply, unless it be preen-soiling, the growing of orops for the purpose of ploughing-in, tbufl not only restoring to the soil the properties which the plants have gained from the air, but also maintaining the humus character of the soil, so favourably to root growth. Thogradual decomposition of the fibre contaired in hrm-yard manure of any kind, or decaying vegetable matter, forms carbonic acid gas, which is the uolvent needed for all the minerals from which plant food is obtained, Simple humus matter is, therefore, not a manure, but creatos manure by dissolving other elements of the soil, This gas was present in immense quantities in the air when the dense growth of ferns and lycopods in the early stages of the earth's history flourished, and formed the coal measures. Tho great drawback in carrying farm-yard manure long distances, is the large proportion of water which it contains, and which is being oarried without any benefit, Agriculturalist, Garden and Field says: •' The yellow black-spotted beetle found eating the leaves of pumpkins, squashes, vines &0,, is not a ladybird, but is verydestruotivoof vegetable growths, It is known as Aulocophara punctata, and, as it congregates in numbers on the undersides of leaves, can be shaken off into a vessel beneath containing water with a little kerosene floating on top,"

A mysterious disease has attacked a number of horses at Lake Bulake Common, near Donald (Vio.), resulting in a number becoming paralysed, , and shortly after dying. It is said 'that tho Nardos weed is the cause of the trouble, but the blacks are known to use it largely for their own consumption. Speoimeus of the weed in the looality are being forwarded to the Government Botanist for examination,