INQUIRIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1927, Page 16

INQUIRIES.

Effect of Silage on the Stomach: "I am proposing to make a fairly large quantity of maize eilage in stack. I expect to have sufficient to feed it liberally through the winter and into spring until the its ready. 1 am nov told that to feed eilagrf continuously ie injurious to the stomach of the animal. Will you tell me if this is a fact?" (Silage).—There is no truth in the statement tha* maize eilage will injure the stomach of a cow or cause her to produce lets milk. This charge is one that ie sometime.* raised by people who have no knowledge concerning silage or its effect upon the digestive processes. Chemical analysis of maize silage shows that it would* be impossible for it to cause injury and actual feeding trial* have shown that cows, if anything, will improve in physical condition and digestion when fed maize eilage. It is universally accepted that maize silage is of distinct value in the provision of a palatable and succulent food for all classes of stock. The . rgane of digestion are assisted by its slightly laxative nature. Prescription for Tonic Powder and a Treatment for Windgalls: "Will you give me the prescription of a tonic powder. My horses are well fed, but they are not working under good conditions, and one of them has windgalls that are quite large. I tried blistering, but they came again when the horse was worked?" (Contract.) —The following is a prescription for tonic |K>wders: Sulphate of iron 8 drama, powdered mix vomica 3 drama, powdered bicarbonate of soda 2 ounces, powdered gentian one and α-half ounce, powdered aniseeds 2 ounces; this to be divided into six powders, and one to be given twice daily in the food. The use of tonics as a routine measure is not to be recommended, and horses properly fed and worked within their capacity do not need them, but they are ueeful for promoting appetite .and digestion in animals run down with work if used with discretion. The swellings are not really filled with wind or air, btit with synovial fluid which has distended the tendon sheaths and joint capsule. As blistering has failed to reduce them in size, they arc likely to remain as a permanent blemish, or if reduced by repeated blistering, bandaging, and rest, to return as soon as the animal is worked again. If you wish to take further measures it is recomended that a veterinary surgeon should be consulted.

. Separator Milk Substitute: "Will .you kindly advise me of a useful and satisfactory calf meal that is a substitute for separator milk for calf rearing? J mean a meal that I could make up myself. Of course, I don't want it for present use, but I supply a cheese factory, and I want to be ready."—(Calf Meal).— The recipe for a calf meal that ia attributed to the Department of Agricultuie of the United States of America, anil one that is said to be a fair approximation to separator milk is:—solb of maize meal, 151b of linseed oil meal, 151b of ground rolled oats, 101b oi dried blood flour, 101b of skim milk powder, and lib salt, for the ingredients. The directions say: Stir Jib of this water and feed it when cool. This conmixture into 4A pints or pounds of boiling etitutes one feed or one-half the dailj ration for a calf one month old. As thr calf gets older the quantity may be increased until it is getting 1} to 21b of the meal mixed with water in a day when two months old. . This calf meal lias been used with success as a substitute for ekiin milk for calves over a month old. The change from milk to lac.i , should be gradual.