RURAL NOTES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 110, 24 April 1911, Page 11

RURAL NOTES.

POULTRY NOTES

The Journal of the Department of Agriculture states that an experiment is now being conducted at the Burnham Poultry Station to determine the difference in results between dry mash and wet mash in egg production with good laying birds. The eggs from a pen oif birds all bred' the same way were hatched by an incubator. Thirty-three pullets from these were selected, and kept exactly under the same conditions rill they came on. to lay. Twelve of the best were picked out as a.n egg-producing type. These were equally divided, and put in two adjoining runs exactly the same in every particular. Before beginning to take the records, the six birds to be fed on dry mash were fed on this food for six weeks, in order to get them accustomed to it. The records have been taken from

Ist April last, and the test-will conclude on 31st March, and this will be the fairest and most thorough test yet .made in regard to dry versus moist mash feeding. THE BEST FOWLS.

The more important characteristisc

which distinguish a weak from a strong fowl, whatever the variety or

age, may be stated as follows: —The actions of a fowl probably best indi,cate its 1 physical condition. The physically weak is inactive and dopey, and is more likely to squat than to stand. It does not not scratch, or forage actively. It is the last to get off the perch in the morning, and the first to go to roost at night, and frequently is found on the perch during the day. The loudness and frequency of the crow of the mail, or the song or cackle of the female, is a reliable indication of strength. The week fowl seldom crows or sings, and is less likely to do so when in the presence of a strong individual of the same sex. Gallantly on the part _of the male is shown, in his generosity and consideration towards females, as

indicated by his calling them and giving them the tenderest morsels to eat. This is one of the surest incEcarions of physical vigour on the part of the made. HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. All kinds of stock thrive best with a good variety of feed. Perfect health cannot be expected on a diet that will produce only bone and muscle ; and the same is -equally true of a fat-forming ration. Cleanliness for the sow and littW pigs is absolutely necessary if one expects to raise properly. More die from being obliged to live in and around a dirty pen than every other disease imaginable. In 40 years the Danes have brought the profit from cows from 801 b of butter to 22016, as the result of breeding up and feeding up. There is money in the cow if dlfo is the right kind of animal. There are too many cows that have no money in them. The best way to get money out of a cow that is an inferior milker is to sell her as sqoui as possible.

Antiquated systems of agricultura are being superseded by scientificmethods of soil cultivation. Tba successful farmer of half a century ago followed scientific methods of husbandry, although he might not have been able to explain why his endeavours were crowned with success. Clean water, charcoal, and sharps grit are as important to poultry as the daily foodRape is one of the good cow feeder which do not give the miUk a flavour, as turnips do. There is no cream left in separated milk, and only a very small percentage of butter-fat. If the churning is kept up too long-. and 1 then very cold Water is used in, washing, the butter is apt to ba crumbly. It is waste of time and temper tope rse vers with a cow which is a pootr doer at the bail; usually she is no good at all except at consuming fodder.

I take this item from a reputable authority; but I am not in a position to absolutely verify its accuracy:— lt is remarkable that the cross betweem the Jersey and the Shorthorn is usually barren, and almost invariably develops tuberculous disease early. Cows should not be given a large quantity of green food after they haver been running on dry stuff; get them* used to the change. Pass the bullies of the milking yamdF out as soon as you cam; they are no use in the herd, and may cause tha loss of a good cow. One of the most important branches of the business of the dairy farmer is in the raising of has heifer calves, that is where his future profits a^e-.. Washing the buttermilk out stead of working it out not only save* time and labor, but improves th-, quality of the butter. In picked herds of Danish cow*handled under the perfect system of" the country, the average of butter is 3301 b per cow per annum. Mr Peter Hancock, of who is at present in England, ha*, purchased on behalf of himself and two other Jersey breeders, a young; bull from the home of the Jerseys, by the famous sire Noble of The dam was reserve champion of th* Island last year, so that it as evident Mr Hancock has sectored something; out of the Ordinary. Of 407 pedigree Ayrshines from the Old Country during the yew* ended in October last, three were for New Zealand. The United State* (149) and Canada (120) took the biggest numbers. Thirty-nine went to Japan, 8 to Sweden, 3 to Russia, T to South Africa, 3 to Spain, 2 to British East Africa., 1 to Queensland, 1 to Rouimania, and 62 to Finland. Too much has been said about th* ability of goats as weed-destroyer*. It is true they will! clean up a pa** tune of coarse weeds, and so wiit sheep.