NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11531, 18 March 1898, Page 7

NOTES FOR FARMERS.

With reference to experiments and investigations in Europe on the control of sex referred to some time ago in these columns, it is reported from Vienna that Dr Schenk, professor of the Vienna University and president of the Embry ©logical Institute, claims to have succeeded in exercising efficient influence over animals and mankind so as to determine the sex of their offspring. Until the results of his twenty years’ research are laid before the Vienna Academy of Science, the details will not be divulged. The theory is said to be based on the nature of the food consumed by the female. Veterinary-Major J. A. Nunn, in a paper read at a recent meeting of veterinarians, alluded to the Arab test of pregnancy in the mare, which is to put a few drops of water in the ear. If in foal, it is said the mare will only shake her head; if she is not she will shake the whole body. As the Arabs are a nation born of horsemen, and much of their literature deals with equine matters, he says ho is one “ who is of opinion that practical hints are not to be despised, no matter from what source they come.” Ho does not state, however, whether he has made use of this test.

An enormous sum of money has been spent in water conservation in Victoria (says the Aiistralasian), but up to the present the results achieved have fallen far short of the expectations of a few years ago, and many of the irrigation trusts are hopelessly in arrears as regards the payment of interest on money borrowed for the construction of irrigation works. Where water for irrigation is available it has often been wastefully used or it has been applied to crops that did not pay for watering. The,time has now arrived when land-owners should be instructed regarding the best crops to grow under irrigation, and when and how the water should be applied. The matter is, one to which the attention of the Department of Agriculture may with advantage he directed, so as to encourage the adoption of irrigation in all reticulated localities. The offering of prizes would be beneficial, as a spirit of emulation would be created, but what the land-owners chiefly require is instruction, and the department should see that they get’ - t.