THE FARM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 207, 30 August 1905, Page 7

THE FARM.

WEANING FOALS. --One of the most critical periods with fie foal is weaning time. The importance of making this change gradual!} 7, so _s not to materially influence the condition of the foal from the care it haa jeceived by its mother during th- suckling stage of growth, is quite necessary |p the healthy development of thie young animal. It does not take a close observer to see the faulty handl.ng of the foals at the weaning period. It does not •j__e much intelligence on the part ot the feeder to know when the foal is gettin" the feed it demands' for healthy, rapid growth. The following very good discourse on this subject is taken Irom t_ e "Canadian Farmers' Advocate": — "The age at which foals should be yeaned is to a great extent governed circumstances. Under ordinary conditions it is well to allow the mare to nurse the foal for four months or longer If when the foal be this age, the mare is required to do regular work, 1 trunk both will do better if the foal be weaned. On the other hand, if the mare be in good condition, not required to work, and still a reasoaable quantity in in. lit, the foal will do batter if not weaned for _ month or two longer, and the mare having no labour to perform, will not suffer. "The ordinary process of weaning which consists in separating mare an t foal, and allowing no further intercourse for several weeks, or until the mare has ceased to secrete milk and the foal to look for it, i*. in mv opinion, irrational, wasteful, and uncalled for. "It is probably unnecessary to state that the foal should be taught to eat crushed or chopped oats, bran, etc., before the process of weaning commences, othenvi-e he will be sure to suffer and grow thin. Experience has taught all feeders or breeders of stock that sudden or violent changes of diet or usage with jny class of stock is dangerous, and often expensive. "When this is the ease with adult animals, it is reasonable to expect it to he more marked in the young; hence, in order to avoid danger of digestive diseases in the young, and trouble with the mammary gland, nnd possibly digestive trouble also in the darn, we should exercise good judgment and be satisfied to take considerable trouble -when weaning the foal. "In most cases the mammary apparatus is still quite active, and a considerable quantity of milk is being secreted when the owner derides that it is tine to wean the foal. Tlie foal, in addition to the grass and grain that he has been eating, has thus far al.o been accustomed to mil.:. In fact, this has been his prir. cipal diet, and if suddenly deprived of it. he cannot avoid failing in condition and fretting. Then, again, the secretion of jnilk in the mare will not cease all at once, and unless the giand be relieved of it, mammitis will be th.; re?u!t. Instead of milking the mare by hand, as is usual! v done, the foal -hould get the beneiit. "_\iy idea of the proper process or weaning is as fciiov...: —When it is decided to wear, tlie f .".!, he should bplaced in a conifoi•t.i-lo I ox stall, by himself, or with other foals. There shcuid be no mangers or hox< . into which he c*;\ I rear or jump and probably hurt bimseh. j and the door and walls should be so high ' that he cannot jump over them, ncr go ! his fore feet over. I "The i-.-.ip, if up-d J for work, shou.d j be La:., ii out: ii not required for work.' should Le tied up in :; stall at a consider- I aßie diitan-.e. prrb. b r *- b.ttri it they be ' out oi hearing. The ::.are should be taken I to the ioai three time, drily for a few j days ( _-ry >\ week), and left for fifteen ! or twenty minute, each time. 'J ?,ccond ; week twice daily will !>!■ r-_-_ci' ru, and trie third week liuiiy. and thi- c-ontinued j so ]■ ' rs ar.v .n .s.dcrab.e _i____utity o. , milk is sec: c*. d. : '■In th" v.... fe-tcli gnulunl'y becomes! ac-eustoi-j.-d to be sep.r.ited Irom tl;p j othr-r. The ohnvoe of dirt in the foai | is gradual, and it receives the benefit ot the milk that would olherwi-. '.» wasted, j It also obviates danger cf mn rn.tis in j the mare, and the gland £i _I_i_lly be- ! comes inactive. i "In the meantime the young thin,.; i should be given about all tlie nice, wel!saved clover hay and chopped oats it | will eat. I like tinelv chopped oats, and ! consider it food pa.; ice to st ■'". T_ them by pouring boiling wa.er ever Uiem in a pail, covering the 'pail with a rubber sheet to prevent the escape of the steam, j allowing it to for a few iours. and then feeding. A of th> kind night . and looming, and o ~ v.hoic .•-_- with : a carrot at noon, in addition to hay ana a i°.d of bran about twice weekly has i given '_»ood satisfa-------- practicable ihe r-.ddition c f ' c.nv's milk gives excellent results, but ti i. i-_ n«-t o..en easiy obtainable. 'After the _oal ha-, rested looking for , its.dam, it should be allowed U> take i__ercise daily in the yard or y<h' ' >"k, rv.-i its"feet should be trimmed every tew weeks. Usually the wear is not _quai to the growth in these cases, and it not at -aided to the feet will He an abnormal Bize and shape, which may permanently ; injure it; hence, they should be trimmed I to the na ural shape as occasion de-i-ands." STARTING EARLY SEEDS. j Not many of our readrs are horticulturaHy inclined enough to start a hot | hed or cold frame and hence the early seeds must soon be started in shallow iK»X!B or pots indoors. Where this is tlone it is necessary to plant them ear- , tier because the conditions, are not as favourable for the growth of plants. Good garden loam mixed with an equal j quantity of sand makes a good soil for starting plants in. It should be such | as to allow perfect drainage and yet hold moisture without being too den_-s. Many growers put coarse material in the bottom of the boxes or pots in order to insure better drainage. Fresh, vigorous seed can be planted deeper and stands more adverse treat•ment than others. Where there is any question about the age or vitality it should be planted very shallow. The proper depth for planting seed usually Varies according to its size—very small see_ being planted on the surface with . only a light covering of sand sifted over «• The soil in all cases should be made smooth and firm before as well as after planting. Until the seeds germinate the boxes should be set away in Borne shady plac. Carets watering has much to do with -'; the poor sueaess many people have in erdenvouring to start plants from seed. Ihe larger seeds demand much less care,! hut small, delicate ones are often seri ottsly damaged or destroyed by dirt watering. The soil should be thoroughly moist before planting such seed and a, doth, paper or glass plaoed over the box | to prevent too rapid evaporation. This' should be lifted occasionally to allow air cr lh c soil will become "sour." Tl•■• rotting off or damping off of seedlui" •• . L _ surface of the ground is a . »' disease brought oa b_j _____>roper t

soil conditions and watering. Plants seem particularly liable to it when they i stand close in a moist, close atmosphere and when only _uffici nt moisture is applied to keep the upper surface moist while the under strata i 3 dry. Sifting warm, dry sand over the plants and r£ moving those diseased will check it somewhat, but we know of no complete remedy.