AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7469, 7 February 1890, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

It is more than probable that the couracil of the Royal Agricultural Society of England will for the future publish their journal quarterly instead of half-yearly as in the past. -~ This is a step in the right direction.

Horse breeders generally will be pleas ed to hear, says the Leader, that there is mow a probability of a trade for draught homes being established between Victoria c.nd America. Mr John James, of Glen Alvie, the well-known breeder of Clydesdales, near Colae, has Just shipped two of his prize mares and also a young stallion, Young Sine Ribbon, to the United States, at satisfactory prices. This is the '.first shipment of draught horses that has been made from Victoria to America, and if successful it should herald the commencement of a large and important trade. There is no reason why Australia should not participate in the immense traJ&lc in draught stallions that has been going on for years, and is now stronger than ever, between America and Europe. Horses can be raised in Victoria equally as well as Iα France or Great Britain, and afc a far cheaper rate, and if the business pnys in the old country it should also pay in the new. Here is a chance for the dx aught horse breeders at Victoria to exert themselves. America can take any quantity of horses almost, and good ones, are wanted over these just now at long prices. Mr P. Alymer, of Narandera, Xtas in--1 vented a sheep branding machine and is now in Sydney arranging to manufacture it upon a large scale. The machine is simple in construction and devoid of coniphcated parts to place ib out of working order. The machine consists of a small cylinder 7 inches long and 4£ inches in diameter, on which works a perforated plunge faced with soft felt, lcupfc constantly saturated with the necessary fluid by means of a light gutta-percha tube connected with a small receptacle strapped upon the shoulders of the operator. The handle which works the plunger, like an ordinary pump, is provided with a spring, which prevents the flow of liquid when not in use. The total length of the machine Iβ only 22 inches, can he easily carried by the operator in a floeS: of sheep, and should become a great labour saving machine to squatters and farmers. The invention weighs only 31b } save*! the waste of marking fluid, and can brand 1000 sheep in a remarkably ahort time. A public trial will at the earliest date possible when* the full advant4&ee of this valuable contrivance will be clearly demonstrated.

Aa a result of the aaifetonn that visited ' the Tocomvml dfa&riek, NewSouth Wales, on 2nd December, it is stated that 173 crows wens . picked up dead on the Barooga station br the manager. The birds had btien killed by the ice shower. As the station pays Is per head bonus on all crows destroyed, the elements on this occasion played into the hands of the station proprietors. Ducks, cockatoos, and other game were to be encountered after the storm in endless number Iβ a maimed and iaeipleea condi tion, their wings or legfr having been brokenly the hail-