JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 43, 20 February 1929, Page 21

JOTTINGS.

More than 50,000,000 dollar? a year is a conservative estimate of the losses from the great animal plague of abortion. Dr. John R. Mohler, of the Department of Agriculture (U.S.A.) points out tthat ten years ago the losees from tuberculosis and abortion were approximately equal. In ten years the tuberculosie losees have been halved, and the abortion losses doubled. The cow is a highly sensitive animal; she should get her food regularly and to her liking. If not, she will make her silent protest known in the milk pail. Cows will repay kind attention and a liberal supply of food. In making up the food ration it is necessary to bear in mind that the first use she puts her feed to is to maintain her body, and cows should be always kept in what stock-feeders call "good thriving condition." It is as great a mistake to allow the cow to get too lean as to permit her to become too fat.

Research work carried out at the Rowett Institute, Aberdeen, in America and other centres, indicates clearly that it is advisable to supply all cows giving more than three gallons daily with some mineral supplement supplying phosphate of lime and common salt, which latter substance is of particular importance in milk production. Other mineral elements of importance in the construction of Wood and milk are iron, a constituent of blood protein and iodine. Just when the system of line-breeding changes into in-breeding is hard to say, states an English authority. In fact, genticists have not found that line of demarcation, so why should a breeder worry so long as he is getting favourable results? However, when the time cornea that the herd leader and the cow herd are becoming too closely related to give the best results, an unrelated cow can be added to the herd to prevent the objection of in-breeding, rather than bringing unrelated bulls into the herd. Many dairymen seem to be under the impression that once their cream is placed at the side of the road their responsibility is ended. This is not eo. inasmuch as every supplier is dependent to a certain extent upon the quality of the article forwarded by other suppliers. Farmers should take action if they see cream carriers not using a shade to protect the esns from the sun. If cream has to be carried far in summer, covering with a clean, wet sack will have bene* fiflial results. Even oh dull daye the .cans .should always be kept covered.