THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS.

A publication whuh should prove of great value to stock owne.s has been issued by Whiteoinbo and Tombs, Lid. J he work, "The Diseases of Farm Ani- . mals in New Zealand,'' is compi.ed by Lt.-Colonel H. A. Iteid, 0.8.E.. F.R.V.V.S., D.V.H., F.It.S.E., pathologist and bactcnolog.st to the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, the book is special .y adapted to suit Xew Zealand conditions, and, it s ppiies an exhaustive array of f..ets re.gardiug tiie care of farm animals in this Lvuntiy not, to Le found in other publications. Colonel Keid nas had an extensive experience of stc-k diseases, and his description oi symptoms siiou.u be of great baie.it to settlors in remotedistricts where expert skid is unavailable, thus enabling them to diagnose troubles and promptly apply the remedial treatment laid down in the book. Many ailments, not serious in their inception, are likely to be ome so if unattended, and tiiis generally occurs through the farmer iv.t knowing ho\' tc go about ascertaining the cause of the trouble Colonel lieid's book is calculated to help the average man out of such a quandary. Whei\as there* is a tendency in wm-ks of the kind to refer to troubles solely by their b.r terlologicaj names, much to tho mvst fiea;i)n ot tae average farmer. Colonel ltci .'s boox deals in "the plainest and simpl--t terms, which anyone can fo'lov. As an instance drugs no measured by final ounces. Not every person knows the equivalent in ordinary vesse's of the technical and just 1 ere there is no harm in gi\in<: it: 8-10 fi'id ounces represent a breakfast tup filled. 5-7* a teacup, S-10 a tumbler. 2 3a wineglass, i a tablcspooi, 2 fluid deams a dessertspoon, 1 liu'cl dram a teasp " n. 13 fluid ounces a pint bottle of wlrsky, 27 fluid ounces a quart beer bottle-. The book comprises 560 odd pages, is liberally illustrate 1, fully indexed, contains amongst other useful matter the regulations governing the importation ol stock to the Dominion, and the regulations affecting the control of disease. Practically every disease that afflicts the stock of the country is dealt with, and the work is one that stock owners, no matter whether they are engaged in sheep-raising or daiiying pursuits, could with benefit have on their shelves. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. It is not often that the sea-gull develops the tendencies of the kea, but such would appear to be the case on, a farm adjacent to Levin (says th-i ''Chronicle"). For some days, a large grey and white gull has been a frequent visitor while many of the sheep have been found wandering about minus their eyes. The owner killed some of the unfortunate beasts leaving ono unburied with poison -applied to tho sockets Next d.;y the gad was found not far away a victim to its own greed. MARSHLAND. A very successful concert in aid of the Public Library funds, was held recently in the local HalL There was a very large attendance, the seating accommodation being tajed to its utmost. The programme, willed was arranged by Mr Pilkington , (headmaster), and Miss Vague (mistress), assisted 'by Miss M. Rogal and Mrs Tibbald, was given by the scholars, and consisted of action and other songs, recitations, dumbbell and flag exercises, and concluded with a dialogue. A feature of the evening's entertainment was | the staging of the grouoed items, which reflected great credit on those responsible for the arrangements. A well-attended public meeting of those interested in arranging a bazaar to raise funds for making additions to the Marshland Hall, was held recently. After considerable discussion, it was decided to hold a bazaar at a future date, and the following were appointed an executive committee :—Chairman, Mr D. Goode; secretary, Mr S. Marsh; treasurer, Mr G. Chienall and Messrs J. Blackburn and A. B. L. Smith. At subsequent meetings, a committee of ladies was formed as follows :—Mrs Chisnall, president; Miss L. Boloski. secretary, and Mrs A. B. L Smith, tre"eurer. A committee of men was also formed, with Mr A. B. L. Smith chairman, nnd Mr G. secretary and treasurer, to work in conjunction with the exectitive committee It i* the intent'on of the committee to hold social functions in the Hall during the coming winter. AKAROA. The annual meeting of the Banks Peninsula Patriotic Society was held in the Akaroa Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Geo. Armstrong presiding over a fair attendance. The annual-report and balancesheet were read and adopted. The latter showed a credit on March 31st, 1822, of £9Ol 10s 4d; interest thereon, £33 Is Id; making a total of £935 ft? sd. Out of this sum there had been paid to incapacitated soldiers and dependants £407 10s; general expenses, advertising, etc., totalled £3 16s. There was left a balance of £023 14s* scl. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr Geo. Armstrong; hon. secretary, Mr T. Lewitt; bon treasurer, Mr J. S. Dodo's: oxecu five committee, Messrs W. D. Maephnil (Wnimii). T) McKay (Duvnu- ■ cheUe), .Tns. Wright, iunr. (French Farm). W. (Le Bon's). W. W. Wiliams (Robinson's Ravi. J. D. Bruce (Akaroa, J. Campbell Hav (Pi°renn Bay), A. Wnghorn'(T.itt'e Akaron). J R, TharW. and C. Coffin (Okain's Bay). The meeting considered the cases of the various claimants on the funds, and decided to carry on as usual with the grants for another year. HORORATA. The Hororata Horticultural Society will hold a dance to-morrow night in the hall, in the bono of making some money to help the Society to carry on. ASHLEY. A large gathering of the residents of the Mount Grey Downs district, assembled in the schoolroom on Monday evening, to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs J. Stackhouse, who are leaving the district, after residing there a couple of years. Mr J. Douds (cliairman of the school committee), in presenting Mr Stackhouse with a Kaianoi travelling rug on behalf of the residents of the Downs, en-'ogised the good work done by him as a member of the School Committee, statins that it was largely due to his efforts that the Initiation Board was induced to remove the school to its present site. Mrs Stackhouse was also the recipient of a Doulton teapot from the Indies of the district. Daneir\tr was indulged in untd a late hour, the music boni;- province! by _ Miss Bowbves (Ashley). Miss E. Crigl.npton, and Mr Rov Williams (Chmtchrrch). Proceedings were brought to a close -by the sinking of 'T'or Hiey Are Jolly Good Fellows," and Auld Lane Svne." ~ ,„ The Mount Grey Downs School Committee "has inaugurated a scries of progressive euchre tournaments to raise I funds for the school. At the last match the prizes were won by Mrs J. Rowe and Mr C, Batdie lor, the consolation prices -oing to Mrs H. Lilley | and Mr Ror Williams. i The fortiiirlulv instruction class m connexion with the Ash:ey Dance Club wns held on Tuesday evening when there was a large attendance of learners Unfortunately the gentlemen largely predominated. It is to be hop-

Ed that when the club meets again on luesd.iy, May Ist, the numbers will be more even. The annual meeting 0 f householders of tiie Ashley School District, to elect a Sciiool Committee, wni .be held next -Monday evening ai 7.30. CUST. A very pleasant little gathering took place an the Institute Hall on Monday evening, in honour of Miss T Kennedy, on the eve of her departure' for Wellington. There was a large attendance ol friends, and the eveninp was spent in games and music, and altogether it was a very successful fuiic ion. Items were given bv Mesdames Breach, Misses Peachev Bevington, and Kennedy, Messrs "Hawkins, Inns Xeave, and Revnolds. Amongst those present were:"—Mesdames Kennedy, Botherwav, Hyde. Martin Inns, Breach (Kangiora), Mainman, Early, Saunders, and others, Misses Coulter (2), Botherwav' (2), Kennedy (3), Peachey (2) Whill e Martin, Inns (2), Allen (2) (Rangiora), Cooper, .Vwell (2),> Nelmes, McKenzie, Ritchie, Scott, Bevington, Compton-, and others, Messrs Inns, Martin, Coulter (2) Scrimshaw, Tyler, Hyde, Peachey (2), Hopkins (i) " (Rangiora), Reynolds, Sexton, Konnedv, Hawkins, Xeave Henderson (2), Tallott, Burgess, Early, and others.

On Tuesday evening, as Miss D. Bennett, of Gust, was driving home from Rangiora, her horse took fright at the train which was just having Femside, and shied, running one wheel over a heap of metal on the side of the road. Both traces were broken, and the trap overturned. Miss Bennett, who was very fortunate in escaping with minor injuries and a sevcro shaking, was conveyed to her home bv motor, while the horse and trap were brought to a neighbour's. LOBURN. The weather continues dry, and the surface soil is hard and dusty. As a consequence feed in pastures is languishing. Rape, which at this tim*> of the year can usually be reckoned on to provide succulent feed, is at present, over most parts of the countryside, hardly worth considering, and at the present juncture turnips cannot be said to be at all promising. Dry weather, however, in moderation, is most suitable for fattening stock, and it is surprising how well sheep in particular really do, on scanty fare, when frequently changed from paddock to paddock. In the matter of cultivation, work" is proceeding apace, and the practice generally appears to be, after a cereal crop is stacked or stookthreshed, not to graze the stubble-land for a few weeks, or perhaps a month or two, as conditions suggest, but to immediately skim-plough, thereby turning an inch or two ofl surface soil to the sweetening influences of the atmosphere, while there is still prolonged daily sunshine. A month or six weeks later a further stirring of thu soil by means of tine-harrows, or a spring-tine cultivator, promotes th.» process of amelioration to an advanced stage of receptivity, and when followed by a good chain-harrowing, any weeds present are satisfactorily collected. During a season like the present these readily burn. Old pasture land, too, with run-out or poor quality grasses of small nutritive value, is similarly dealt with, followed by deep ploughing in about six weeks' time, with more stirring and cultivating preparatory to seed-sowing. Horse-drawn lorries and waggons, and motor vehicles are still busily employed conveying grain from tho neighbouring farms into Rangiora, and the dry weather admirably suits this class of work. In the commercial orchards the later varieties of apples, which are yielding well, are now being gathered, and from the loads of cased fruit seen passing along the main Loburn-Rangiora road, one is impressed by the growing importance of the industry. The newly-formed Tennis ClulJ is holding its inaugural dance on Friday, 27th inst., and a moonlight evoning having been selected for the occasion, a large attendance is anticipated. LINCOLN. At tho Lincoln Baptist Church recently, a very enjoyable sacred concert was held, at which Mr Twose (Christchurch) presided. The following contributed items: Solos, Miss Norrish, Master Jack Crodman, Miss Mayfield, Mrs 'Godman, Mr Ray Turner, Mr L. Crampton: duet, Mr and Mrs Godman. During the evening prizes were presented to the Sunday School children by Miss Taylor. Cars were kindly lent to convey the party to and from Christchurch, i>y Mrs Marshall, MFDoig and Mr O. Diion. RAKAIA. On Tuesday, Mr Rsid, chairman of the Ashburton Hospital Board, made an inspection of the Rakaia Nursing Home - building and grounds. H© conferred with members of the Rakaia Domain Board, and arranged' for fencing to be erected. Mr Roid also arranged for the laying-out of the Hospital grounds, and stated his intention to have the furnishing completed as soon as possible. ,-, The Rev. A. S. Morrison, chairman of the Rakaia School Committee, has received the following nominations for the new oommittp«: Rev. A. S. Morrison, Rev. E. N. Blak'ston, Messrs A. A. Oliver, J. A. England, A. F. Kennetfc, W. Cromie. and C. Lyddington. As this is the number required, no election will be necessary. For some years now the Rakaia School Committee has been discontented with the very poor building used as the public school, and though continued representations on tho matter have been made "to the Board, the new building has not yet beeiv begun. The outgoing committee ha l ? decidoil to make the annual meeting this yeai the occasion of an expression of indignation at the continued delay.