AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 122, 23 May 1908, Page 12

AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

COVERS FOB CATTLE. The advantages of warm clothing to cattle is thus described by a dairy farmer in the Leader: — "Previous to adopting the rugging Bystem I tried various plans, as giving the cows hot feed at night and morning, and putting up wind-tweaks, but tho cost of production, was not Teduced, nor was the yield increased. Then 1 covered my first cow, and I was so surprised at the result that I had to go over tho tests again and again to make sure of the result." . In the further tests, in which a considerable expenditure was made in purchased foods for the cows, the books of tho farmer showed that whereas tho cost of his butter production in winter without rugs amounted to lid per lb, with rugs he had reduced il to 6d per lb. HOME-CURING BACON. Tho quantity of tho various condiments to tho 1001b of meat are — 2oz saltpetro well powdered, 31b salt, 21b black or dark brown sugar, lib allspice, loz carbonate of soda — mixed well together. Rub the meat first with lib of honey to the 1001b. Then rub with the mixture, using about two-thirdß of the preparation ; then place it into a tub or vat with the fleshy side up. The vat or tub should be placed in a cool place, with plenty of fresh air. In 24- hours turn and rub again, adding a little more of the unused mixture. After which turn and rub once every 48 hours for six times, using some of the mixture for each. time. i It should be packed closely in the vat, so' as to raise the brine as high aa possible. Always keep the hams and hands at the bottom of tho vat. After remaining „in pickle for 21 days take out and scrub with a scrubbing /brush, using hot water. After thoroughly cleaning, soak in cold water for 10 hours, then hang up in a dry place (not a cellar), where there is a good draught. If flies are troublesome, it is advisable to stop up any cracks or crevices with lard, then dust them over with a little pollard, which will stick to the oily' substance, and form an artificial skin. After hanging from 1+ to 16 days it should be ready for the smokehouse: WHY A GARDEN? A marked want in colonial agricultural life is commented upon by the Michigan Farmer under tho above heading, and the strictures ' applied to Canadian agriculturists are not altogether inapplicable to New Zealand:— "lt ought to be unnecessary to ask farmers why they fail to ( provide a garden for their families. But the fact remains that a largo number of farm homes have no garden at all, or very poor excuses for such; hence, tho necessity for a word here. Any one who hag observed will agree with the writer that a good garden is nearly always . dissociated with ! a happy homo life. . Reader, have you a garden? Start the cycle 1 by providing one ' this coming season. ,'True it it that with the garden one provides crops whose intrinsic value is greater than that of the harvests of any other acre on the farm, that the housewife can spread before her family more appetising meals, that health, will bloom when the body ,is fed with its luscious, crisp, and abundant growth; that diversion from heavy cares will bo offered, that the children will have the spirit of industry , nurtured by occupation therein, that observation will thrive, etc., but laying these much-talked-of reasons aside, is not the expense and trouble and planning all paid for many times by tho increased happiness in the home? 'Man shall not live by bread alone.' " Mangolds and swede turnips (says "Roußeaboufc" in the Timaru Post) may be left out of tho pit till next month. They aro" still growing, and. it" is desirable not to pull them till tfie leaves begin to turn. Mangolds will stand a good deal of frost while the, tope are green, but, after they aro 'ripe,, they afo bettor stored away. Swedes, will, of' course, stay in the ground all tho winter if necessary, but for feeding to milch' cows and; other stock at tho homestead it ia better- ■ to have them in a pit or a shed so that they can can be easily reached in all » kinds of weather. \ It is estimated that .between'2so' and 300 acres' will be planted this, season in tho Bowen • district of Queensland with varieties of tobacco, specially suitable for cigar wrappers., - . „/',!." Potata digging is now general througoufc the Tenruka district (states tho' Herald) 'and growers are_rqshing the tub-* ers into the market. As -far as- can bolearned the local "supplies aro free from bbght -of every" description. ; Mr, Iverseri;. of Earnsfeugh, Alexandra, Utago, has grown a new variety, of quince, which t is quite different in both flavour and eating qualities from the ordinary variety of this popular fruit. The ordinary variety ,of quince when cooked is very rough and hard, with quite a grain in its texture, whereas this particular variety is more like an *pplo in texture, cooking to a creamy softness, and yet not going to a mush, thus making it quite an acquisition to the housewife who wishes to vary tho everyday menu. It . makes a splendid jam, 1 and for jelly, when cooked with apples, cannot be surpassed. It is quite a new variety to Otago fruit-eaters. Originally it was imported from California, whero it has a reputation second to none as a table conserve. To, some extent the isolated lives of farmers make them in a way .dependent on each other, but apart from this neighbourhness has been a strong characteristic of the comiriunity for generations, and fortunately modern changes have not altered it very much. * • / The potato crop in the Totara' district (says tho North Otago Times) is turning out about five to six tone per aero of good marketable quality on the average. We noticed a good many paddocks whero the Oalifornian thistle has got • a good hold, various remedies have be.en tried to exterminate this pest, and» in itwo instances, we are informed at first hand, that whero a crop of potatoes had been taken off, this method of dealing with tho thistle has been successful so far. A remarkable ■ instance of the two industries lof dairying and pig-keeping growing tip side by side is found in Denmark. ~ - A novol basket-holder for fruit-pickers, which enables them to use both hands freely while ■ carrying tho baskets which they are filling, is a recent invention. The baskets aro placed in a trough-liko arrangement strapped round tho waist, and are thus secured againßfc accidental displacement as the operator moves from place to place. It is claimed that the use of tho holder effects considerable economy, for with both hands free the operator is enabled to pick a much larger quantity of fruit in a given time. The rapo plant is of highest value in feeding sheep. No pasture probably can be provided 'for* them, that will fatten oo quickly. It will als6 fatten cattle. But because of tho large hoofs of cattle they troad much of it down whilo grazing which adds to tho wnste. If horses at work were grazed on it one effect would be that if; would purge them somewhat and so fat them that it would be unsuitable. A writer on "Hereford Cattle," in the World's Work, gives the points of this fine beef breed, so popular in both tho States and the Argentine, as follow*: — "A typical bull should be wide and deep on tho shortest of legs, his ribs well sprung, his shoulders noat and accurate, his top level and expansive : the tail should be well sot on without the least suspicion of uneven fleshing at tho tail head. Coming lower down, tho underline must be true, tho tKigs full and deep, and Hie animal should, technically, 'handle well,' carrying a deep even covering of flesh beneath a mellow hide and silky coat of hair."

Attention has been attracted to the launching of Germany's first Dreadnought, the ttrsatz Bayern, after being only eighteen months on the stocks, and recently described in detail. She will have three propellers, reciprocating engines, and a speed of 19 knots. Her complement, is to be 860 lneiK and, «he