FARMS AND FARMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1928, Page 7

FARMS AND FARMERS

ITEMS OF INTEREST

(By

“Rouseabout”)

THE FARM DOG. HOW TO TRAIN HIM. It may be said that of all the domesticated animals none is held in highei regard than those of the canine tribe, more particularly members of those species-and breeds whose talents have |1 )( (>n trained in the direction of making them-useful in the service of man. In this category the farm dog holds a foremost, place as an indispensable member of the animal equipment of the homestead. The inherent qualities of sagacity and fidelity which have rendered him so tractable and obedient to the will of a capable trainer have been ['nronght. to such a high state of perfec- ! Hon that wonder is often expressed [that it. is difficult to perceive where I the finality of instinct, ends and that of reason begins. To watch the working of a trained dog, or a. team of dogs, under the control and guidance of an expert, shepherd or drover is a joy to every lover of animals, while the perfect. understanding which exists between the master and his faithful servant causes the beholder to express wonder by what means these results arc obtained. With the dog. as with all other animals that have developed fixed characteristics, perfection has been gained by selection and breeding over a long period of years until the desired qualities have become inherent. In the farm dog the natural tendency and eagerness to work with stock are early shown, but to be of useful service his energies have to be directed and controlled from the beginning. It is not. everyone who has the ability and patience to train a dog properly and many youngsters that have in them the makings of good workers are often, spoiled by lack of instruction in their early life. The competitive influence of dog trials has done a. great deal of good by encouraging the breeding of first-class dogs and in teaching owners more about the art of training. As a. pastime these trials provide a. most fascinating sport, but in addition they exert a. great utility value because there is always a. good demand, for the progeny of proved workers for general farm purposes. A farmer friend of the writer, who in his leisure hours indulges a hobby for training dogs, for his own pleasure am! occasionally has a successful try out. in. open competition at the trials, when requested to explain the methods he adopts while training a pup made a few general observations, the gist, of which is as follows: —In the art of dogtraining diffeernt men have different methods and the older and more experienced can often get a young dog into shape much more quicKJy than one who has had less practice. One very essential qualification of a. trainer should be an unfailing practice to control his temper, for no man who has not self-control can impart the best, of his knowledge to his dog. The task of training and working a sheen dog must be a. labour of love. If a. man is truly devoted to his dog. and uses his energy and his ability in -leading him along the right direction by wise counsel, he will be rewarded for his labours by faithful and enduring service. As a fits!, step towards training, command

is the great principle underlying the whole system. This may be said to represent the complete submission of the animal to the mind of the trainer and to imply implicit, obedience to all orders and must be reflected in every turn or point of detail in the process of i.raining. Command should be gained without creating antagonism, though ar. the same time enforcing obedience. Should it be found necessary as a. last recourse to administer punishment great, discretion should be used and the utmost care taken to connect, the punishment with the offence. Experience soon shows the degree of pressure needed to subdue the offender. When punishment, is injudiciously given it. shatters the bond of sympathy between man and dog, and the animal comes to reagrd his drainer with fear instead of with confidence. The upbringing of a pup should receive most careful attention and little lessons at an early age in teaching him to behave himself are an advantage. He should be allowed to romp and play to his heart’s content so long as he is not permitted to indulge in the bad practice of chasing sheep or cattle, or of rushing and barking at everything he sees. If a young dog is found quite satisfactory in his natural methods of work all that, is needed is to control and develop his faculties in the ordinary way. When (his does not occur it will be necessary to go to some pains in instructing him in the meaning of commands given either by whistle or other means until he has learned what, is wanted and made to obey. It is advisable to give the pup his name early and to teach him to come when he

hears it. When teaching a pup to come io his kennel to be chained up, pet, and fondle as a reward for his obedience, and then give him his meal and he will very soon associate the chain with pleasant conditions. A skilful trainer moulds his dog’s peculiarities in. accordance with his own ideals. That, is why it. is generally seen that, the same man will secure a similar type of work with all bis dogs.

SCIENTIFIC MUSHROOM CULTURE

Discussing mushrooms as a. branch of farming, the “New Zealand Smallholder’’ says: "Out-door mushrooms have a season of about two mon'hs. Mushrooms professionally grown out of season have a monopoly market measuring ten months long. Ten months of money! It is worth while culling off a length of that to pay the mortage with, isn't it? ()ut-ot-sea-soit mushrooms depend on just a lew tilings warmth, moisture, darkness, nit rogenoiis manure and the spawn. Tim opi inmm I best ) temperature for mushroom growth is about 57 degrees. 'l'im right, moisture is just that wiiicn loose soil would hold in suspension wiliieiit. saturation. Darkness is acc< ptable Io mush rooms, though light is not fatal. 'This is secured by planting in cella.rs or in darkened sheds or on shelves; or in frames or on mounds covered with straw or sacks. Outdoor mushrooms were retailed in Auckland shops early in the season at l/(>. 2/and 2/6 per lb., and only vo>; poor ct os' fell |o lid ill the height of tile seasi 'll." One ion id st ald i' .hi ng. the magazine estimates Io yield li’lh. ol iiiii. ltrooms, worth Cl.

FAST AND SLOW MILKING. SOME OPINIONS. Have any comparisons been made of the production of cows milked rapidly with that of the same cows milked slowly? In other words, does the rate at, which cows are milked have any influence on their production? This Query is answered in an Amcjiican journal by Professors Fitch, of Kansas, Heed, of Michigan. Fraser, of Illinois. Davis. of Nebraska, Eckles, oi Minnesota, and Wing, of New York. Their replies, in substances, are as follows: Professor Fitch says: "I can find no reference to experimental work that would indicate the best rate of milking cows. Ido know, however, that it, has generally been believed that a cow should be milked rather rapidly. I believe, too, that when a cow becomes accustomed to a milker that the speed of milking, within reasonable limits, tihs but little effect on her production.” Professor Reed says: “To distinguish between rapid and slew milking one who milks from <S to In cows in an hour is a. rapid milker, while one who milks from G to s is a slow milker. 1 do not, know ot any experimental work done that would answer the question as to why it. is good practice to milk a. cow rapidly, but it has been our experience that a rapid milker gets better results -.han a. slow milker.’ Professor Fraser says: “A number of years ago I had a. student do some work on this subject. He milked some cows for a time at, a certain rate; he then took twice the time to milk each cow. The cows decreased in production quite perceptibly, but after the fourth milking they gave just as much milk as when milked at. the more rapid rate. This seems to indicate that cows tend to adjust themselves.” Professor Davis says: “We have carried on no definite experiments with reference to this. For a cow giving two to three gallons of milk 1 consider six minutes as rapid milking, and ten minutes as slow milking. Based on some milking machine experiments carried on a number of yea'rs ago at the. Pennsylvania State College, it is my opinion that reasonably rapid milking should be encouraged. The element of time (labour) is a. factor that must be considered.” Professor Eckles says: “Rapid milking is always advised, and I believe is based on sound experience. However, so far as J know, no definite scientific experiments have been made to determine the actual facts. I cannot even give a theory as to the physiological reason for the better results which apparently follow rapid milking.” HOW TO MANURE FRUIT TREES. To enable fruit trees to bear good crops regularly, manuring must be given due consideration. But discrimination in the choice of manures is necessary or the result may be quite the opposite to that desired. Farmyard manure and bulky substances of a similar nature, are excellent for promoting growth, and trees that have become somewhat stunted benefit from their use, but those of normal vigour would be encouraged to make rank, unfruitful growth by the too frequent applications of these manures, especially if the trees were comparatively young. What is needed in their case is a fertiliser that will assist primarily in the development of flowers and fruit, and a. phosphate fertiliser is of the highest value in this respect. 'Basic slag is one of the most valuable manures of the kind mentioned, and as it. is slow in action, it is necessary to apply it in winter if the greatest benefit is to be derived during the period of growth. From 4oz. to 6oz. a square yard is an adequate dressing. Farmyard manure applied once in three years will usually prove sufficient for trees of average vigour, that is when a,bout 1 foot of growth is made annually. Trees of considerable size, with a mass of fruit spurs, which are unproductive, benefit from generous manuring and the reduction of the fruit spurs. Younger trees in a, similaT condition may be treated more drastically by cutting the branches hard back with the object of inducing fresh growth below the spurs. With liberal dressings of organic manures and attention to soil cultivation, they may then be. brought back to a condition of normal vigour. COD LIVER OIL FOR POULTRY. During the winter months equivalents for fresh green foods and outside range, which, of course, includes direct sunlight, must be given to the fowls to make up for any deficiencies, and it will be found that cod liver oil will practically give the desired resul.l. From repeated American experiments it hits been clearly proved that it will serve the purpose of green food, and if the oil is of the proper quality it is very potent, in vitamin D, and will, therefore, take the place of direct sunlight. It, however, cannot supply everything. Ordinary green food supplies fibre, minerals, and other vitamins which are not present in the oil. 'Hie cod liver oil should be mixed in the ration of a 2 per cent. rate. If this is exceeded the good effects are lost. It, has, however, been proved that the use of cod liver oil does not improve the hatchability of the eggs. It will, however, increase the number of eggs when the weather is so inclement that the birds will not be allowed out, and no direct sunlight can reach them. Although the American poultry men claim to be the pioneers of this cod liver oil substitution, it was Professor Bennett, of Edinburgh, who first wrote a treatise on it. in 1.541, that first brought it into general use. H is now one of tlie most esteemed remedies in the catalogue of the “Materia Medina.” The vitamins :•> coil liver oil act in such a manner ih.if the lien’s system is able Io keep :t proper equilibrium between calcium and phosphorus. Vitamins act as a cctalizer that put. the digestive organs in such a condition that the other foods are iirst assimilated.