GENERAL NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 21

GENERAL NOTES

Ground for sowing chou-moellier and lucerne should be prepared as the weather and time permits. All of the cabbage family are liable to attack from the white butterfly, and in some districts it is impossible to grow these plants. There is no green stuff like lettuce for young chicks. Whilst good growing weather exists, plant out as many lettuce plants as possible. As soon as silver beet runs up to seed heads the plants should be pulled out and replaced with younger ones. Lawn clippings can be used for greens just as long as they are cut frequently and the grass is not too fibrous. Stale eggs take longer to hatch than fresh ones, and if eggs have to be saved several days before setting they should be turned daily just as if they were being incubated. It will soon be time to set duck eggs if early autumn layers are required. For table use, the sooner they are hatched the better, and the drakes should be marketed at from 10 to 14 weeks after hatching. Check up for red mite infection in cracks near the perches. A little spraying now may save much work when the hot weather sets in. Look for the greyish specks near cracks which nre the cast-off skins of the mites. The best spray to use is creosote. Most pullets have been laying hard, and care must be taken to watch the quality of egg shells, which usually get very thin about November. If necessary mako the birds take a spell from laying for a few days in order to give the oviduct a rest. Remember that late-hatched chicks do not pay. Rather than hatch after the middle of October, purchase pullets in tho autumn. Only when ideal roaring conditions exist will these late chicks do well. Market all surplus male birds nust as soon as all the fertile eggs required havo been saved, keeping only the best cockerels for use as cock birds next season.