AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 6485, 17 December 1927, Page 12

AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

The surplus grass feed which is usually obtained during the spring and early summer months, and is not required, can be profitable converted into silage for use during a period of scarcity.

Many fatal instances arc on record which prove the fallacy of putting swine or other animals Into draughty quarters, after standing in the market or show grounds for any considerable length of time.

Good blood provides the frame which will carry the flesh evenly and smoothly, but it is up to a man that sufficient feeds of the right kind are at all times available to cover that frame sufficiently and smoothly.

The animal system uses salt in the body to make hydrochloric acid, which is used to digest the food, and as the digestion of food is a continuous process, it is necesary that animals must have a small amount of salt every day.

A good way to administer medicine to a pig that cannot be Induced to oat slop or drink milk, is to take an old boot, cut a hole In the toe, insert the too part into the mouth and pour medicine in at the top of the leg of the boot.

Notice has been received of the .official test record of the Guernsey cow Brilliant Lassie, who produced in 2190 days 40041 b. of butter-fat. This works out at an average of 571 b. of butter-fat a month for 72 months or an average of 6671 bof fat for six years’ test. This was done under farm conditions on twice a day milking. This is an American record. Os yet there are not many Guernseys under test in Australia.

Good green feed clean and fresh has special virtues for either old or young calves, and every endeavour should be made to, have it made ■ available for them.' There is nothing better than good pasture. • This and a clean water supply, especially in summer, are two accessories which, next to a supply of skim milk, constitute the greatest boon to the calf roarer. Closely grazed pastures arc dangerous to calves, particularly during wet

seasons, as they are liable to pick up the eggs of parasitic worms which may be the cause of heavy mortality in young cattle.

One reason why Denmark can compote successfully with the British producers in the British market is explained in the ‘'Scotsman” of August 30, a 1 correspondent in Copenhagen pointing out that the Danish farmer is subsidised to a great'extent by British milling firms who send bran and milling offals to Denmark at much lower rates than they will sell to* the British farmer. Denmark depends on foreign sources for about 50 per cent of her bran.

Damp surroundings will not hurt the average pig kept on the outdoor system, provided it has a dry bed to sleep on at night, but there is a vast difference between the effect of damp

on the outdoor pig and that kept in a sty. With the latter, if they are allowed to lie on a damp floor composed of boards, with a small amount . of litter over them, rheumatism is alj most bound to result, and there is ■ nothing very much worse than to ' possess a brood sow that is very nearly a cripple owing to rheumatic troubles, How can she produce a heal-

thy and strong litter of pigs under such conditions? The drainage of the sty is all important, under such conditions, and this is a point that is well worth watching.