FARM and DAIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 August 1924, Page 9

FARM and DAIRY

notes by the way. A commission to purchase in America, at his own discretion, a selection of the very best Jersey bulls obtainable has been given to Mr C. E-. Robertson, of Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., of New Zealand, who is making an extensive tour this year in the interests of his firm. The breeders concerned are Messrs John Hale, H. Salway, and H. B. Lepper. Milking should be done in *a quiet, clean, and thorough manner, and at the same hours daily. Milkers should avoid handling the cows more than necessary. If. the milk is bloody, stringy, or thick, or if it has an unnatural appearance, or if manure gets into it, it should be discarded. A Shannon farmer has shown a Levin Chronicle representative a fence containing maerocarpa posts which he pnt in 15 years ago, and although some matai and totara posts had rotted off, the maerocarpa posts were almost as good now as the day they were put in. It was probable that many settlers do not realise the value of this timber for fencing. NEED FOR TOP-DRESSING PASTURES. Another point which is of the utmost importance is the maintenance and improvement of the pastures. A farmer of wide and long experience yj said the other day that he considered this as one of if not the most important works to secure the quality and output. He added that there could he no better investment possible. He personally put on all his land regularly 2cwt per acre, and found the return amply justified the expenditure. This was endorsed by a speaker at Inglewood on Monday, when he raised the point of using more fertiliser on the pastures. In his opinion increased yield. would be gained just as much by better fertilising as bv testing and - culling. * \

WORK IN THE WAIKATO. “The average production per cow over the whole of the society’s territory far exceeds that of the Dominion average,” remarked Mr H. O. Huse, secretary of the New Zealand Cooperative Herd Testing Society, headquarters Hamilton, during the course of a chat with a Times representative recently. In view of the fact that the society has been engaged during the past 12 months in testing the output of no less than 32,000 Waikato cows, the results obtained provide highly interesting data. The average production was worked out as 207.811 b butter-fat in a period of 237 days, the highest individual record being 780.121 b and the lowest 49.811 b. Worked out at Is 6d per lb, the first cow’s output for the year would be worth £SB, and the second animal’s only £3 15s. The premier cow of the herd is a Friesian, the property of Mr M. Kidd, of Matangi. The honoured district of Matangi shows the highest average for the period, 252.581 b butter-fat in 237 days, Tamahere coming next with 248.301 b. Manawaru, Whatawhata, Matamata, Orini and Fencourt follow next on a list of 25 districts, with Ngongotaha. where the average is only 148.671 b, at the tail of affairs. There are many fine individual herd returns, the highest being in Matangi, where one herd put up an average of 585.761 b butter-fat. The average, 1 however, is considerably reduced by the number of “scrub’ 5 herds, which evidently so many farmers are still content to milk with little or no profit. The poorest herd in the whole of the test is milked at Matatoki, and as its average is only 85.2511) butter-fat, one cannot help but pity the poor unfortunate farmer who expects to make a livelihood out of such‘cattle. The 10 highest herd averages are as follows: 585.761 b butter-fat, 341.18, 339.66, 330.64, 329.70, .326.19, 326.14, 322.80, 319,23, and 318.83. The 10 highest herds averaged 354.001 b fat in 273 clays, and the 10 lowest 97.961 b in 159 days. Dealing with individual cow’s performances, the following excellent records show clearly that there are a number, of very high oroducers in the Waikato: 780.121 b butter-fat, 630.86, 623.58, 615.76, 601.42, 586.28, 559.52, 559.14, 550.78, 549.63. The 10 highest cows averaged 605.701 b fat in 300 days, while the 10 lowest cows averaged 66.111 b fat in 225 days. BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. At a recent meeting of the committee of the North Taranaki Bovs’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs at the office of the Taranaki Agricultural Society much good business was done. Details in connection with this season's calf-rearing competition were discussed. | It was decided to eliminate championship judging at the Waiwakaiho, and that the group judging take place at the schools. It _ was further decided that the judging at the schools be on a similar basis to the championship judging, i.e., the maximum of 100 noints not to be given unless the calf ‘warranted it. It was decided that a specimen chart be sent to. all schools where children competing in the competition for guidance of teachers in giving instruction, but not for the use of the scholars themselves. The competition will be limited to children in Standard 111. and upwards. It was also resolved that all calves must be brought to the respective schools for judging! It was decided in connection with the awarding of points for cost of rearing not to give any advantage to competitors rearing at a less cost than 12s. Competitors will he urged to keep details in note-books during the period of the competition, and that they fill in their charts from these notes prior to the date of judging. The judges strongly urged that the early weaning of calves was not ah all desirable. ✓ It was agreed that calves to he eligible for the competition must he horn between August 9 and September 15 (inclusive). £7B FROM ONE TREE. A BIG MACROCARPA. The following particulars, from N.Z. Life and Forest Magazine, relate to a big maerocarpa tree grown near Otane. H.B. The tree, which was about 70 years old, and had reached a height of 90 feet, was not grown under scientific forestry conditions. The particulars are as follows: 38 strainers. 9in to 10m sauare (average), posts, from 6in through and ut>, and some split, at £9 per 100, £18; 250 rails, 4 m to 6in thick, 10 to 12 feet, at Is, £l2 10s; 6 cords firewood, at f £2 10s, £ls; total, £7B 15s.

-DEMAND FOR MANURES. DELAYED TOP-DRESSING. The demand for fertilisers in the Auckland province last month established a record for July business. Various reasons are assigned for this unusual activity, a gratifying one being the adoption by farmers of more scientific methods of" farming. The representative of an” Auckland manure manufacturing firm last week expressed the opinion that the present demand, which is quite unusual, was largely due to the fact that the extremely wet autumn had prevented top-dressing operations being carried ar as firm was concerned there had not been the usual demand for top-dressing manures in April and May owing to the incessant heavy rain. June also was a very wet moiith, during which it was imnossible to make use of fertilisers. As a result, directly the weather showed some improvement orders from all parts of the country started coming‘to hand. The bulk of the demand was for superphosphate. Basic slag was generally used as an autumn top-dressing, and the large demand for superphosphate, which was a quicker-acting fertiliser, indicated that farmers who had been unable to top-dress in the autumn were anxious to treat their pastures as early as possible with a quick'-act-ing fertiliser.

Replying to a query whether the use of fertiliser was being largely increased, the speaker said farmers generally were using manures much more liberally. Experience had demonstrated that to fertilise was an investment that returned hondsome interest. The farmer could not afford to stint either crops or pastures of manure, particularly on the higher-priced lands. The recent improvement in the butter market was also advanced as a contributing cause of the great demand for manures. The increased butter prices promised to provide a larger bonus to the dairy farmer than had been anticipated, it was stated, and the farmers in many instances were enabled to extend the orders for fertilisers.

The representative of another firm that deals chiefly in superphosphate expressed very similar opinions. His firm’s autumn output of superphosphate was equal to that of the previous year, while the present demand was exceptionally heavy. It was, in fact, in excess ‘of the' usual August requirements, which were always heavy. He was rather doubtful if the seasonal demand, which extended usually from August to the end of September, would he quite as heavy as usual during. the latter month. If the present activity did continue the season should he a record one, and the results to the producers would be farreaching and highly satisfactory. Farmers in the Auckland province were now paying much more attention to the scientific use of fertilisers, and the ratio of production should steadily increase as a result. INCREASED PRODUCTION AND HIGHEST QUALITY. THE ESSENTIAL NEED. In _ view of the ever-increasing competition from abroad, and the probability of the price being stabilised at a figure, perhaps below what-has been ruling of recent years, it is incumbent on all who have a share in the industry to do their part in seeing that thd two great essentials are secured—an increase in production and the maintenance of quality at the highest possible level. The former will overcome any possible lowering in price, while the latter will serve to make the produce able to meet the competition which may be expected from the opening up of new avenues of supply. It is very gratifying to see that all over the dairying districts far-sighted men, with a vision of the future, are bending their energies towards achieving these results, and they are hacked by the good work of many suppliers. But the movement must lie increased and strengthened, and in this the movement for federation of dairy companies should be a very useful lever. We hope the movement will continue to be kept live before the bulk of those interested in the industry. It should be quite unnecessary to need any pressure to secure endorsement of the movement br every dairy farmer. But it is unfortunately true that much driving is required. One would have assumed a dairy farmer’s own practical interest would lead him to see the necessity for a forward move. At the annual meetings the directors have stressed the need, and it is worth quoting some of their remarks.

At the annual meeting of the Moa Dairy Company at Inglewood on Monday Mr Morton said farmers must, concentrate on increased production and only the highest standard of finished article. The means to the end, stated .Mr Morton, was the introduction of a system of herd-testing. If investigation were made it .would undoubtedly be found that a number of cows in almost every herd should he | culled out. A herd-testing association should be formed, and a Governntent inspector should be appointed to persuade the farmers by a policy of tactful instruction to effect improvement in their methods on the farm. In the future there was bound to be keener competition from other countries on the English market. Tooley Street experts had said that Siberia would not be an active competitor for many years, yet Siberia was already competing with New Zealand on the market. The States surrounding the Baltic Sea would also shortly be sending large consignments of dairy produce to England. The average production of New Zealand cows, continued Mr Morton, was only 1801 b of butter-fat, and it should be much higher. In North Auckland, where conditions were much more difficult than in Taranaki, grading a few years ago was very low, hut now it was almost the highest in New Zealand. The factories were supplied almost entirely by cream from home separation, hut the quality of the product had been tremendously improved by a system of instruction under inspectors. The fact that the average grading for the district was 94 points was ample proof of the effect of the instruction. He would therefore advocate the employment of such instructors in Taranaki, and he felt sure the result in a year or two would he surprising. In' reply to Mr Todd, Mr Morton explained that the inspectors, or instructors, did not usually collect ,their own samples of milk for testing from the farms, but took them* from the milk supplied to the factories. The most important part of their work did not lie in the actual testing, but in moving round amongst farmers persuading them to concentrate on the production of improved articles in other ways. In reply to a further question. Mr Morton stated that in the Waikato it was not found expedient for one association to deal with more than 25 to 28 herds.

STRATFORD DEMONSTRATION FARM. INTERESTING DETAILS OF WORK. Addressing the members at the annual meeting last week, Mr. J. li. Richards gave many interesting figures and iaets concerning the progress made at the farm, and these gave rise to some considerable discussion. Dealing first with the butter-fat returns, he stated that there had been a steady average increase. In 1920 tfie average per cow had been 2211 b, or 601 b per acre. Since then it had been as follows : 1921, 2741 b and 88ib; 1922, 2981 b and 1041 b; 1923, 2801 b and 981 b; 1924, 3051 b and 1081 b. For those years the area stumped, cleared, and cultivated had been successively 50, 60, 70, 80, and 95 acres. He said that extensive planting had been done, and-this was very valuable as a breakwind and shelter for the stock. During last year the question of top-dressing had been tackled more than ever before, and no less than ten tons was distributed over the farm. This was a powerful lever for improving and increasing the quantity of butter-fat. Another matter taken in hand was the water supply. He considered that a good deal of bad flavour in milk was due to insufficient and inferior water for stock. Facilities other than drinking from streams, perhaps with muddy banks, were required. The summary for the various root crops was as follows:

Turnips.—l9lß, 37 (tons 1 per acre, sown, on October 29; 1919, 43 tons, sown on November 6; 1920, 43 tons, sown on October 30; 1921, 43 tons, .sown on November 11; 1922, 33 tons, sown on. November 1; 1923, 36 tons, sown on November 5; 1924, 45 tons, sown on November 4. Different manures were used, but from careful observation the committee recommended farmers to sow soft turnips early, so that they would keep better. On the basis of cost it had also been found that basic super gave best results for turnips, and should be sown about 3| cwt. to the acre. Swedes (all sown on or about the second week in December). —1918, 35 tons per acre; 1919, 34 tons; 1920, 40 tons; 1921, 43 tons; 1922 not taken; 1923, 42 tons; 1924, 45 tons. Mangolds (sown in first week of November). —1918, 49 tons per acre; 1919, 38 tons; 1920, 43 tons; 1921, 52 tons; 1922, 44 tons; 1923, 32 tons; 1924, 45 tons. Carrots (sown in first week in November). —1918, 25 tons per acre; 1919, 22 tons; 1920, 23 tons; 1921, 39tons; 1922, 42 tons; 1923, 37 tons; 1924, 45 tons. Referring to the blights and rot in the district, he said the committee were keen to see if there was any connection between the manure used and the dry rot. Early sown mangolds they found did better than late sown. in reply to questions the chairman said that slag and kainit were best used separately. It was generally considered best to put manure on in smaller lots than in one lot. The chairman said that probably the larger proportion of new pasture was responsible for the increase in butterfat, but better root crops also assisted materially. . , On the question of patches of land on the farm, as on most farms, where the soil would not absorb moisture and, no matter how much the rainfall, remained dry, it was found, said Mr. Tarrant, that the only thing which would grow was Buda kale, and no grass or other crop., Mr. Trimble said this kind of thing had been known for fifty years on the coast. Mr. Phillips said that in some places a large rata tree had been felled and had lain on the ground for years, and this was, in his opinion, responsible. He believed if earth from other parts were put on tnese patches, a kind of top dressing, improvement would be made. The chairman said that if rain fell for forty days and forty nights it Mould not be absorbed. Dealing with the root crops, .the chairman said that early turnips were better than late; in swedes sown at the end of October there was not a rotten one; soft turnips sown early would keep better, due to the second growth of leaf. Mr. Merchant referred to the use of potash with swedes, and said he had good results, but several others averred that their experience was different. Mr. Bullot, dealing with sowing, said that many crops failed because the seed was sown too deeply. The sinking of the wheels and coulters often uade the drill go too deep and spoilt many a crop. Half the seed grown was buried so deep that it never got a chance. A member instanced a case of 231 b of clover seed being sown to the acre, but added that 4lb properly sown at right time would- give satisfaction. 'lhe use of rolling after harrowing was advocated by the chairman, but one member said that in thirty years he had never rolled his land once and had good results. In reply to Mr, Sangster the chairman said that he would like to. see a silo on the farm, for there would be no difficulty in getting suitable material. Pin silage would take the place of turnips, and with the root crops a liberal supply 0 f hay was required. At the farm one year they had not been able to use all their ensilage and a portion had been lost. It had been said that lucerne was not suitable to the district, but this was not the general opinion, and it was considered that more should be grown at the farm. Mr. Tarrant said that a seven-year-old paddock was the best yet cut.* and in Canterbury they had lucerne six feet high.

Dealing with weeds, the chairman said there were only two methods—bury deeply, or rak© off and burn. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Richards for his valuable address, and ap-piec-iation was expressed for the great amount of time and interest he gave to the work of the farm. As noted previously, a. detailed report on results obtained in root crops and other activities at the farm would be published later- in the Star. RE HOT WATER SUPPLY FROM FACTORY. A Pihama shareroilker writes as'follows: “j. noticed while reading your paper on Saturday night an article in j’our farm and dairy columns on hot water in the shed, supposed to be remarks by men of experience. Firstly, I will deal with the chairman’s remarks. He says that the supplying of hot water at the factory is a very expensive item, and says it would pay suppliers to instal their own heaters. Now, sir, I say it' is false economy. \ou cannot get hot water from a heater without wood, and just take the time of every suppliers heating water every morning against one man stoking at the factory, and I know that is all that is necessary because I have stoked a 30 horse-power boiler for over three years myself when I was at factory work. Secondly, Mr Fleming says if the hot water is cut out from the factory they will get better milk. Now, sir, I say they will get more bad milk, especially in the dry season,

and that is when the warm nights are at their worst. Have these gentlemen stopped to think wlmt amount of storing capacity each supplier would want to hold enough water to carrv them through the drv soells? It would simply amount to this, and lie a verv geneial rule too—that the suppliers would, find their tanks verv low, and consequently they would have to start using less water. Then, sir, is when the biggest trouble would occui, because the machines, the cans, buckets, and everything go on getting dutier and dirtier; the clean farmer knows, but he cannot spare the water for a general clean-up, consequently • e Spes from bad to worse. And, SI L hei'e is the hardest. part of all: why make the clean supplier suffer for the dirty ones? I S av no; make the ones carry their own load, thirdly, the manager. Mr Farquhar, says the only thing to clean milking machines is boiling water and soda. I quite agree with the first part of what Mr Farquhar says re boiling water, but never use soda. .Once the soda gets into the rubber milk tubes there is no getting it out, and Mr Farquhar must know from experience that once you put soda to milk it will go slimv, and I consider that is where a lot of the slime in milk comes from. Now. sir, 1 don’t want any reader to think that I. am condemning the heater, because I am not. I have one in my own shed, and know what value they are; but, sir, I consider thev are specially adapted for washing milking machines, but when it comes to heating enough water to do all the wash-ing-up every morning, well then it is going beyond its usefulness. Now, sir, in conclusion, I would like to advise any company not to cut out the hot water, but make their hot water service efficient, so that the suppliers can get the water hot and it will not be too cold when they get home ‘for washing cans, can lids, buckets, milk stand, outside of milk cups and rubbers, and numerous things that need washing to keep milk sweet.” It may be mentioned that the practice was roundly condemned by Mr Fulton, of the Agricultural Department, in a paper read by him at Stratford last year, and has been deprecated by many others. The point is that boiling water, not warm, as a factory supply would be by the time the milker reached home, is required if machines and utensils are to be kept in that state of cleanliness, without which the best results cannot be obtained, and a perfectly sweet and good supply of pure milk obtained. A DEMONSTRATION FARM. DEPUTATION TO TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL. Mr. Benoni White, of Mangorei Road, waited on the Taranaki County Council on Monday afternoon with reference to the establishment of a demonstration farm for Taranaki. He noted, he said, that the council had passed a resolution supporting the proposal for a demonstration farm in North Taranaki. He submitted that the property at Lepperton under consideration would appear (in the light of recent developments in State instruction in agriculture) to be too big a project for the purpose. What dairy farmers need is demonstration more froni a modest settler’s point of view, and not so much from a capitalist’s viewpoint, with £6OOO to invest in a highly developed going concern. Our conditions need to have demonstrated to us how the average every-day economic and active settler may take up a small one-man farm of typical Taranaki 1 land, and make it a payable - proposition ‘by utilising and benefiting by the detailed information now so freely coming to hand from the State’s acquired store of knowledge. We now have our State specialists and experts touring and visiting schools and institutions, admirably demonstrating by small’ plot cultivation valuable details connected with intense cultivation in every form, showing how to gain the utmost production out of the smallest area. We want demonstrated 'how best and most economically to apply this knowledge to an average conditioned small holding, and how to make it a payable business proposition, and so effectively encourage stability in land settlement, as against land speculation. He had in mind a typical Taranaki small farm near enough to New Plymouth to enable a definite business project to be entered into in the way of a milk-run in town; and its location places it centrally for serving its demonstration work to cover a wide stretch of coastal dairying land, as well as country inland. ’ HOW DAIRYING EXHAUSTS THE LAND. A large quantity of the more valuable ingredients taken from the soil by dairy cows in the production of niilk is never returned by them, and in order that pastures should not become exhausted it is of much importance that dairymen should understand how to manure their pastures, and especially the kind of fertiliser to' apply to make up for the process of exhaustion which is continually taking place when the lands are heavily stocked with milch cows. An authority on this subject points out that in the formation of milk in the mammary glands of a cow a considerable quantity of mineral matter is secreted from the blood. Of these minerals the most valuable is phosphate of lime, as well as salt of potash. These minerals are extracted from the soil by the pasture plants consumed by the cattle. 'Another valuable soil constituent (nitrate) is taken up by the plants to form protein. This plant protein is transferred into casein in the process leading up to milk secretion. The amount of these valuable earth salts removed from the soil in milk making will be better understood in terms of commercial manures. In 100 gallons of milk the amount of phosphate present equals that contained in £cwt of superphosphate, while the potash is equivalent to that of slb of potassium phosphate. The nitrogen present in the" casein is equivalent to that in Jcwt of sulphate of ammonia. IN JAVA. DEMAND FOR LIVE CATTLE. Further evidence of a market for New Zealand produce in Java was given on Tuesday by Mr. J. G. Hummeling, a member of the firm of Keller, Hummeling and Company, who arrived from Sydney by the Makura. It was first necessary, said Mr. Hummeling, that New Zealand should be well advertised in Java, for the great majority of the people, even including many of the commercial classes, were under the impression that New Zealand was a portion of Australia, and he had experienced the greatest difficulty in convincing them otherwise. When he offered New Zealand meats and dairy produce, merchants at once told him that thev did not want Australian goods. It was evident that little of this country was known in Java, as most of those who came south spent their holidays in Melbourne and Sydney. He had suggested to some ’of these travellers that they should v ! sit New Zealand, but the reply was that

they had been given to understand that there was nothing to see in the Dominion. “There is now a steamer connection between New. Zealand and Java/’ said -Mr. Hummeling, “and the Tourist Department should make it its business to regularly send supplies of, literature to Java for the purpose of more widely advertising this country lam sure you would get many visitors from java, and the knowledge thus gained would greatly assist the movement now being made to develop trade between the two countries.” Mr. Hummeling is of opinion that there is a great opening for New Zealand produce in Java, and that great quantities of butter and cheese could be profitably marketed in that country. Some trade had been done in New Zealand tinned meats, he said, but there was an even bigger opening for live cattle for slaughtering purposes. A plan suggested by him was that cattle should be shipped to Java and then taken to the rich lands in the interior, where they-could be fattened for the market. There was ample land for this purpose about 80 miles inland and at an altitude of about 1000 ft., where Jerseys and Friesians were now doing extremely well. At present there was a demand in the markets for from 50 to 100 beasts per day, and this was capable of tremendous increase were the business properly developed. DAIRY PRODUCE. CONDITIONS ON LONDON MARKETS. (Dominion- Correspondent.') Efforts on the part of Australian dairying authorities to improve the quality of the.butter produced for sale on the London. market were noted by Mr. E. P. Jupp, manager of the London dairy produce department of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, who reached Auckland on Tuesday from Sydney. Mr.. Jupp said that the Government dairy experts were devoting a great deal of time to schemes for improving the quality, as they were now realising, probably as the result of a recent visit of the chief dairy expert of the Commonwealth to many dairying countries, that uniformity was one of their chief needs, especially as they now had to compete in the European markets with large quantity of the product of South dozen countries. Australian producers were expecting an early season, and as the prospects for the opening of the export season on the London market were considered very good, producers were looking forward to a successful season.

Dealing with the question of market returns, Mr. Jupp said that the position in London for colonial butter had been very firm, and as these conditions prevailed during months when there were plentiful supplies from European countries, it would seem that the position would be favourable a little later when New” Zealand supplies -were arriving. It seemed certain that the extra demand for butter during the summer in England had been largely due to the great influx of people attending the Empire Exhibition. One very noticeable feature of the London market had been the rapid growth of the Argentine output in recent years. Argentine .butter was, however, not yet a very serious_ competitor with the New Zealand article, for the reason that a large quantity of the producvt of South America was quite inferior. As to quantities, New Zealand had landed considerably more butter than Argentina during the past season, with the exception of September and October of last year, when Argentina placed approximately 39,000 boxes in the London market, as against New Zealand’s 18,000. On the other hand, Australian butter placed in the market from June, 1923, to February, 1924, was considerably less than that of Argentina. This latter country, however, was not exporting cheese to London.

The part played by butter blenders in hiding the identity of New Zealand butter was touched upon by Mr. Jupp, who said that propaganda had been well used in , bringing New Zealand butter to the British consumer as New Zealand produce, and a large proportion of the Dominion’s butter was sold under its proper name. The blender, however, had a well-established place in. the butter distributing trade in England, as all the yejar round he supplied an article of uniform appearance and quality. The blender paid well for New Zealand better, which, as a rule, he put in a blend to raise the quality. Large blenders were very large buyers of New Zealand butter, and many times their extensive operations had been the means of stopping downward market movements and giving a steadying influence to the 'markets These were factors that the New Zealand far. mer should well consider when advocating elimination of the blender. MAMMITIS. -vs ADDRESS BY MR. WOOD Before a large audience which assembled in the Mangatoki Hall on the evening of the 30th ult., at the invitation of the Mangatoki branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. R. B. 'Wood (Government Veterinarian) delivered an interesting address dealing with mammitis and other problems confronting dairy farmers in the care end treatment of their herds. Mr. Wood displayed an intimate knowledge of his subjects, and, avoiding the use of technical phrases, spoke in plain, simple terms, which made him readily understood. . Throughout & period of four hours he held the attention of his auditors, and through the medium of his address and his explicit answers to questions, conveyed to them a great deal of valuable information.

Mr. W. El. Carter, president of the branch, occupied the chair. In formally introducing Mr. Wood, he expressed his pleasure in noting the presence of such a large gathering. The majority of those present had been privileged to listen to Mr. Wood on previous occasions, and they all owed a great deal to his courteous and helpful instruction. The chairman had much pleasure in calling upon Mr. Wood to present Ill's address, which was being eagerly awaited. In his opening remarks, Air. Wood intimated that he intended to talk upon the subject of the cow disease commonly known as mammitis, this being an inflammation of the glands of the udder liable to load to suppuration and, in its advanced stages, to mortification. He would also endeavour to touch on other matters of corresponding interest iq dairymen, but as the time was limited the subjects as a whole could be treated but briefly. Mammitis had first become known in 1848, when it was discovered in Switzerland. It was not, however until 1902 that the presence of the bacteria was detected in New Zealand herds, though, of course, it "Mid not necessarily follow that the disease had previously been non-existent in this country. Professor Gilrutli and authorities had taken steps to have afflicted animals isolated and treated in order to prevent the spread of the disease, but, as was the case to-day when

certain precautions were advised to guard against other diseases, the efforts of the departmental officials were not in every instance accorded.the cooperation of the farmers themselves. At this juncture Mr. Wood said he would like to place certain information before ..the meeting which w r ould help to stress the necessity for complying with the department’s instructions concerning burning straw packing, etc., of imported goods. In 1910 there had been an outbreak of foot, and mouth disease in Ireland, the origin of which had for a time baffled the authorities, as no outside cattle had been brought into contact with the herd in which it was first noted. The herd, had been destroyed, and a few months later it was discovered that some pigs kept- at a military barracks in the same district were infected. It was ascertained that the straw placed in the stv had been taken from packing eases which had reached the barracks from France, and, on analysis, some unused portions were, found to be impregnated with the germs of the disease, the source of infection to the pigs being thus explained. As the. result of further inquiries, it transpired that the owner of the cattle had . been treating the pigs for the complaint, though unaware of its nature, from which it immediately became apparent that he had unwittingly carried the germs of the disease. to his own herd with such disastrous results.

Reverting to the subject- of mammitis. Mr. Wood stated that the latest theory was that the bacteria were divided into three distinct families. This division increased the difficulty of preparing reliable vaccines. A vaccine which might have been effective aganst one family was of no if either of the other two were encountered. The Americans had tried a- threefold vaccine, but this also proved ineffective, as the three families were not necessarily equal in strength, consequently the more powerful continued to flourish and made f -he work of the vaccine'useless. A great many experiments had been made on these lines, but so far an effective inoculation had not been discovered. Mr. Wood then dealt with the function of the lymphatics in purifying the blood of extraneous matter. Two of these followed each vein and carried as much lymph as the vein carried blood, But in the udder, which was of more delicate construction than most other parts of the body, there were four to each vein. They contained countless tiny organisms, the function of which was to absorb and destroy foreign elements, and while these organisms, or body cells, remained strong enough to fulfil that purpose, the body remained free of disease. The problem confronting experimenters, therefore, was to assist these body cells, but the antiseptics wlpc-h were powerful enough to check the mammitis germs defeated their purpose as antiseptics, because they also' destroyed the body cells. Swollen and hardened quarters usually foretold the subsequent development of the disease. When these symptoms were noted, the suspected beast should be isolated and a carefully taken sample of the milk foiwarded to the Veterinary Department for analysis. Before taking the sample, the bottle and cork should be sterilised by boiling, and after ,a portion of the milk had been taken from j the teat, thus cleansing the passage cf

other germs, the sample should be milked directly into the bottle. It was of the utmost importance that these precautions should be observed, as the slightest uncleanliness would result in the presence of other bacteria, which would render a correct analysis almost impossible. It was commonly accepted that infection mainly took place through the walls of the udder, though it was also possible for the germs to enter through the teats. The latter medium was not so' likely when the cow was regularly milked, as the milk, in descending, would tend to clear the germs before they had time to penetrate. ■lt was also realised that the. germs could exist only in the presence of milk sugar. Consequently the milk sugar should be got rid of as quickly as possible when the time came for drying the cow off, and this was best accomplished by completing the drying off in the minimum time. Treating this subject at length, Mr. Wood said that a cow should not be “dried off” as was commonly understood and practised, but should be left alone and allowed to do so' naturally. This was one of the old ideas which should not be lost sight of. He illustrated the valvular action which gradually released the milk, allowing it to pass into- the teats, and explained how, owing to the pressure brought to- bear on the valves when the milk was allowed to remain in the udder, their action was reversed, the milk being thus returned to provide nourishment for the cow and the embryo calf. Milking the cow occasionally till the milk “dried off” delayed this natural reversing action, and resulted in the loss of a great deal of nourishment to the cow and the embryo calf. On the other hand, if the cow were left alone and not milked at all, it dried off naturally -with the most beneficial results. He instanced many cases in which this course had been effective when it had previously been found impossible to effect drying off under the other method. He pointed out that the course advocated accorded with

natural processes which, of course, should always be taken as a guide. If, however, the presence of pus or any uncleanliness were detected, attention would be necessary. He referred to cows in a normally healthy condition §. A further difficulty m dealing with mammitis was presented owing to the fact that- a cow, as was also experienced with tuberculosis, might be teeming with the bacilli and yet give no outward sign. In both Australia and New Zealand there had been numerous cases in which, though the animals were not apparently infected, a. milk test disclosed the presence of the bacteria, This did not necessarily mean that the animal was immune. Given a favourable opportunity, which might follow parturition or result from unhealthy condition, the bacteria were liable to overcome the body cells and the disease would become apparent, Certain cows were also “carriers,” and though not affected, would cause contagion to others. Also a cow might be> infected with one of the bacteria families which,

on being joined by the others, would oause an outbreak. In urging the importance ol' guarding against- drills, especially when the udder was unhealthy, Mr. Wood likened the udder membrane to the human lung tissue, and referred to the serious consequences should a chill be contracted by a person suffering from a- cold. A similarly serious risk was encountered if attention were not given to a cow afflicted with hard or swollen quarters of the udder, the risk being mammitis. Such a case should be immediately treated by covering the udder with lard or other dean greasy substance which would fill up the pores and afford protection from cold. Treating with anything which would scarify the skin, and so allow foreign matter to enter must- be avoided. A bandage pierced with holes for the teats and packed with hops or hot salt to act as a’ foment would provide warmth and ease the swelling. Strapping the bandage across the back gave a needed support to the udder, this being necessary to relieve the pressure on the glands and assist the normal blood flow required for the process of natural purification. The injection of a boracic solution through the teats would tend to dry up the existing disease and prevent its spread, but a stringent solution liable to interfere with or destroy the body cells must not on any account be used. If the swelling appeared likely to burst relief could, be given by making an incision and removing the pus, but in that event after effects should be guarded against by syringing the cavity with a, solution of tincture of iodine.

Concluding this subject, Mr. Wood stated that a guaranteed remedy tor mammifcis had not as yet been formulated, though experiments were still proceeding. ... The. methods of treatment recommended could only. be relied upon to alleviate the trouble. Speaking of milk fever, Mr. Wood said that he had been repeatedly instructed to investigate fatal cases. He had been somewhat puzzled in trying to account for the fatalities, as apparently the prescribed treatment of forcing air into the iidder had been given. Eventually he had ascertained that the rubber “squogees” used in those instances had not afforded the pressure required to allow the air to ,peneitrate to the top of the udder, the result being that the function of the oxygen in destroying the germs was: not fulfilled, A strong, but not- violent, syringe should be used in. conjunction with a filter, the. latter being very necessary in order to purify the air before it entered the -udder. A good bicycle pump attached to the filter provided a satisfactory medium. No less than four separate rings of cotton wool should be inserted in the filter in order to ensure that no air passed through unfiltered. .The main thing was pressure, which should be continued until the air could be felt from the outside high up on the bag. Tying the teats was not necessary nor advisable, except when the air blew back too quickly or was leaking continuously. The best position to perform J the operation was to get the cow- on

its side, taking great care to keep the head higher than the body. Drenching was not- advisable. \ln ordinary cases of milk fever nothing was required beyond “blowing up” and nursing to guard against chills. In answer to an inquiry concerning abortion, Mr. Wood said that if any septic signs were evident the passage ■should be washed out, but- if. the cow were healthy this was not necessary. As with other contagious diseases, a cow which did not- abort itself might cariy the germs and cause infection to others. -In the case of a dead calf being taken away' the cow should be washed out- at least- once a day- for two weeks. With all washes the solution should not be too strong, as in that case the virtue of the antiseptic was lost through its becoming an irritant. A further ’inquiry related to vaginitis, which Mr. Wood described as a form of eczema. It should be treated with zinc ointment or other balm winch would allay the irritation. The use of a watery solution should be avoided. A numoer of other questions were answered, on the coneluson of which a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion ol Mr. H. H. Free (president of the Matapii branch of the union), in appreciation of Mr. Wood's instructive and interesting lecture was carried hv acclamation. SETTLERS’ SUCCESS. A JUBILANT IMMIGRANT. . SYDNEY, Aug. 24. Ui the immigrant who comes out lieie and fails and who writes gloomy letters Home much is heard. His despairing voice, •as through a magna vox, is heard throughout the land. But what of the man who, with faith and hope and a strong right arm. battles through to success. Just read this letter by a man who had lived all his lne in the British Navv, and who s y dl J e y in 1919 with less than £300; U X have great difficulty in making people believe- that we .“ are doing so - well. But the fact is that in less than two years from landing, and with less than £3oo..capital, the Government Savings Bank had advanced me £I3OO, speaks for itself. From passion vines alone, in mv second--yeap we grossed over £7OO after commission and freight expenses, and in the last two years we have nlanted out ten acres of young citrus trees. We were hvmg in a slab shed for nearly 18 months; then we built:• a six-roomed house and had the teleohone installed. In four years we have grown over 5000 half-cases of passion fruit, and this year our mandarin crop is one of the largest in the district. There are 13 souls living on the place, and we have to make provision for three more in the next six months. This shows what can be done, as we are only starting yet. and have all the future before us. - *

The letters _ of men like that ; are making the wilderness blossom as the rose, who, in their ministry to a bountiful Nature, are making* good for themselves and Australia, ought to be posted all over the United Kingdom.