AGRICULTURAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 78, 28 September 1918, Page 12

AGRICULTURAL

fEBGHERON HORSEB,

BPLENDID FARMWORKERS,

Until recently the Percheron, in the fleali, was practically unknown to the South Australian farmer, its first introduction to this State having been made early in 1914, when, one stallion and two mares were imported (saya the Adelaide Observer).

In outward appearance the Percheron presents a head that is not long, with fine muzzle and broad brow, showing intelligence, in which he resembles his Arab progenitors. Antiquarian research shows that the Percherotv is of a dolichocephalic type, i.e., is of the same stock as the Shire and Clydesdale, being descended from the great Norman war horse of the Middle Ages, an introduction of Arab blood, in response to a demand for greater activity having, produced the modern type. The neck is of fair length, strong-, muscular, and well arched; but, like the head, well proportioned to the' close-ribbed, roundbarrelled, short-backed body. The hindquarters and shoulders are very muscular, the lower part of the leg-short, free from hair, and of immense strength. The hoofs are hard, well shaped, sound, and constitutionally free from liability to disease. The height is about 16 hands, colour grey, running from iron grey to the handsomest dappled grey and black. .The qualities that have brought the Percheron to the front, both in ite own land and in America, are —Docility, activity, size, substance, bone, and freedom from feather. The first five of these points all heavy horsemen agree upon, as being- essential; the lost, unbiased men will admit is an advantage, the South Australian farmer showing his scant appreciation of hair by clipping it off. Doubts have been expressed whether the breed would find the climate of South Australia suitable. _ The mem temperature of La Perche is 50deg., which is only a few degrees different from that of South Australia; while the_ Southern States of America are unanimous in placing the Pereheron in the premier position as a draught horse. The American demand for 20001b horses has given a great iva.-. petus since 1870 to the breeding of the standard type of weighty, active horsey, which may be found in large numbers in U.S.A. In, Canada' the breed 'has been popular since 1609, but the rise into popularity in America, dates from 1870. In 1910 there wore in the latter States some SO, 000 homebred and 10,000 imported Peroherons. .La Perche, that section of Franco which is the headquarters of the breed, lies to the 6outh-east of Normandy, only a- shbrt distance from Paris. There the soilis a clay loam—what wo would consider heavy—and the inhabitants are typ•ical, thrifty, French farmers, devoted to their country, to country life, and to thoir horses. In this respect these Frenchmen have few equals as horsemasters, and their loving care and kindness have resulted in tho establishment of a permanent feature in their horses—an extraordinary docilityi In France, these horse 3 have the advantage of a discriminating Government support, the best sires and most promising youngsters being reserved for service at the Government horse-breeding-establishments, where they are also at the service of private breeders. This imparts a keen zest to horsebreeding, and it is every breeder's ambition to xhave his horse reserved for purchase by tho Government, to bo even temporarily thus reserved, being a guarantee of soundness and type whioh adds considerably to their market, value. Le Grand, a famous French sire, of tho twenties of the 19th century, stood at the munificent fee of 12 francs (10s), and as the Government considered him a. paying institution, it should be worth, while for the authorities here to experiment with the breed. The magnificent service rendered by the Percherons in the French Army, .under almost impossible conditions, and the praises bestowed upon them by British transport officers, who were at first prejudiced against them, is sufficient guarantee of their suitability for hard, fast, agricultural draught ; while their quietness, and the fact that , they are all good doers," make them attractive animals for anyone who has use for a draught horse : STEEPING TURNIP SEED. "Koradi," in the Timoru Herald, refers to the steeping before sowing of rape and turnip seed in some strong smellingsubstance for the purpose of safeguarding the young plants against the attacks of the fly. Many experiments have been tried, he says, and the success attending them has been varied. Some farmers have tried the remedy, and have found it to be efficacious; others haye been disappointed in the results. It is diffioult to give a decision either one way or the- other. The idea is that by soaking the sefed in kerosene or some other 6trong smelling liquid the seedling- becomes impregnated with the_ aroma so that the plants are obnoxious to the insects. It is perhaps hard to believe that the young' seedlings become so permeated with the substance that the fly will not touch them, but.all> >the_same there are many who thoroughly believe in it and who systematically soak the seed before sowing. In the belief that the plan possesses some merit an experiment was carried out some years ago at the Royal Agricultural College, Cireneester, the idea- being to ascertain how long seed might be soaked in paraffin or turpentine without its germinating quality being impaired. The ex-; periments included also the _ important question, how long may turnip seed be soaked in water without losing germinating power. In this case it was found that termination remained good up to sixteen ays, and thereafter decreased, and soaking makes germination slower. The tests with paraffin and turpentine indicated that these do not retard germination, but appear to hasten it. The general conclusion arrived at was that the length of time seeds were soaked did not appear to interfere with the germination, although, to obtain' quick and even germination the, seeds, before sowing, should be soaked in turpentine five or six days, and' in paraffin two days, as on these days more seeds germinated. According to the Inspector of Stock for this district, who should be in. a position to know, the prevailing condition,in connection with live stock is far more serious than is generally believed (says the Stratford Poet). From a dairying standpoint the position is most acute, and the mortality among dairy cows during the last month has been very severe. Evidence in support of this fact is readily attainable from the number of dead hides submitted at recent auction sales. Generally speaking, farmers have- provided for their cows as usual, but basing mich provision on a normal season, unhappily the conditions ihave been the reverse, and those farmers who did not exceed the' usual' quota of feed havo had the most bitter experience; on the. other hand, those who wore endowed wi,th more perspicacity and provided an extra amount of feed, have come out on top. Throughout this district the milk supply is considerably below normal, and generally speaking dairy cows are low in condition. The principal oause of mortality has been from the effects of calving, vitality Of the animal being low at such a. time, and the absence of strengthening- food has led to disastrous reaults.