ROOTS FOR CATTLE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13738, 20 May 1910, Page 5

ROOTS FOR CATTLE.

tion of smut, but is claimed to bo a 1-ttlo superior. Upon the question of relative germination, and consequent yields of wheat from seed pickled with formalin and bluestonc, the forroalm is proved to bo superior to a marked degree. The results are expressed in the following extract from the principals report of tho Dookie Agricultural College and Longerenong Agricultural College for the past year: —"This" season the percentage of germination of wheats treated with bluestone or copper'sulphate solution, compared with that of wheat treated with formalin, was 66.0H per cent, to 86.63 per cent. The seed treated \vith formalin had the advantage to a considerable degree. With wheat pickled in a strong solution of bluestone, not only was the germination very bad. but the growth in the early part of the season was very poor." The increased yield of wheat from seed treated with formalin is shown in the following result, obtained from tho plots sown down under the supervision of the Vegetable Pathologist on Juno 28th, I&o9:—Formalin treated seed, yield 16 bushels 281b per acre; bluestone treated seed, 15 bushels 211b; increase due to formalin per aero, 1 bushel 71b. With regard to the convenience of treating the seed wheat, some important investigations were made to determine how long the seed wheat might be safely kept after pickling before sown. Tho yield of wheat above alluded to was obtained from seed sown (501b per acre) 11 days after pickling. The result of the tests goes to show that it is perfectly safo- to keep seed treated witli either formalin or bluestouo at least a fortnight before being sown, but that it would not be advisable on any account to keep seed for a period of three months.

"Winter will soon bo here, and attention will be paid to feeding stock >on rooks. A well-known English agricultural writer says that there is no general agreement as to the bw>t way to use roots. Many feeders of bullocks and cows give them whole, simply shooting a basketful into the manger of eaclt animal, and allowing them to worry away at the bulbs the best wny they can: some slice them and feed in this condition, while others pulp or shred and mix with chaff or chop. The first method has the merit of handiness and the saving of labour, but is accompanied with the danger of choking, while the last involves the use of horse or power-driven machinery, but is the best in tho end, when everything is taken into account. Experiments havo shown that chopping, grinding, pulping, cooking, steaming, etc., do not add ony to the actual food value of tho rations we give our animals., but every man of experience knows that thoy at least add to the .palatability of the foods, and this preparation of the roots enables the allowances to be served out much more conveniently and equally. Inferior straw can be made more palatable if it is passed through tho chaff-cutter and mixed with pulped roots. If to this mixture is added a little salt and an allowance of meal or some of the sugor feeds offered in the market, and the mixture allowed to lie in a heap for some time, then the whole becomes immensely improved, nud is much better relished by the cattle that consume it. Pulping and slicing of roots mean that they must, in many cases, be hand-cleaned before passing through the machine, and this, no doubt, adds very much to the labour, but, on the other hand, the skill of seed-growers is being directed towards the growth of roots which have only one tgp-root, and do not carry the soil with them, and now roots very largely clean them6clves in the .y/ulling and carting, while o cleaner can be had attached to the pulpcr if desired.