ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13691, 6 March 1908, Page 8

ON THE LAND.

USB AND ABUSE OF THE WHIP.

SOUTH ISLAND HARVEST

Ont South island correspondent writes:— The whole of (ho grain crops in Canterbury and North Otago have now been ; ractieallv secured. Every available thresh in? mill in that; extensive area is being fcopt hard at work from about daylight to dark, and still there are more stacks to be icon in most localities than usual. This would teem to indicate- a bigger harvest than in former year?, but there, are other reasons. Chief amongst these is that in a ,;ieut many instances the straw is out of proportion to the grain. A ease- in point is reported Jrom the 'I'emuka district, where a threshing mill working 1?. hours had only 600 bushels of grain to show as the result. '1 he milltiers are, indeed, having an unsatisfactory experience' of the system of contract threshing, or, more properly speaking, of payment by results. Another reason for the busy time threshing, as well as the large amount, of stacking that lias been done, is that, there was a great increase in area under oats in the northern half of the island— increase that more than compensates for the reduction of area in Southland. As I have previously mentioned, the threshing return? vary widely. In Canterbury the yields of wheal: are generally low, though occasionally good returns are recorded. One such was obtained by Mr. T. li. llov.son, of Sedgemere, whose- wheat for a 33-acre paddock gave an average of 60 bushels to the acre. This was beaten by a. crop of wheat owned by Mr. \\ . T. Moore, of Papanui. illicit yielded 70 bushels to the acre. Other yields tip to 50 bushels to the acre have been reported, but as against these comforting cases there are to be placed a preponderance of poor yields. Even in South Canterbury, where a good general average was looked for, many crops are turning out only about 20 bushels to the acre, and the aggregate output is likely to fali somewhat below estimates carefully compiled at the end of the year. In North Oiago the oats are threshing out generally better than was expected, but wheat is providing many disappointments, the yields being considerably below anticipations. So far, however, not a great proportion of the wheat has been threshed, but if what has already gone through the mills is a fair sample of the whole toe average yield for that part of the country will be much lower than the estimate. In South Otago and Southland harvest is very forward, and some threshing has already been done. The results scarcely reach expectations, and the general result, though better than last year, will probably not reach the level of the average for a series of years.

POTATO-GROWING

Our Australian correspondent writes: —

j The trouble in the "potato"' world is | not confined to New Zealand. In a number of places in Victoria crops which looked particularly promising have been found to yield very poor results. Although the heads are luxuriant the tubers are few and small. The cause, undoubtedly, is the excessive summer rains, which were followed by considerable summer heat. Great growth was promoted above ground, and this was at, the expense of the potato. In some places beneficial results have been obtained by cutting the tops off the potato and feeding them to cows or turning them to some .othei use. This concentrates the growth below the ground, and sound crops of large tubers result. The disease known a* "sore eyes" has also caused a lot of trouble this year in various districts. The disease is caused by a rod-like bacillus, not unlike, in appearance, to the germ of tuberculosis. It attacks first the eye of the potato, gradually spreading over the tuber, the construction of which it breaks down, leaving a shiny substance in which it propagates. Th& disease is not very virulent in new land, or on land where a proper rotation of crops has been carried out. Early digging is the best remedy, as this prevents the spread of the disease, which is highly coatagious. Moreover, infected potatoes should not be left on the field,as in on© case recently, in Victoria, it was found that the disease had all spread from a small spot where infected potatoes had been left last year. The germs are highly resistant, and they can remain in the soil a long time, ready to attack and propagate in the next crop; and, in a bag containing only one infected tuber, the infection will quickly spread to all the tubers.

Few drivers take the reins without taking the whip at the same time, and oat of the vast number who do so it would be interesting to know how many of them know anything about its true- use. It is often abused, and its abuse may arise from ignorance, thoughtlessness, or brutality, which in some individuals appear to be inherent.

Too many highly -brecj, spirited young horses are rendered dangerous or useless every year by the unnecessary use of the whip to allow this to be passed over -without directing- the attention of farmers and others to the matter.

The whin can be used with judgment: to persuade the horse to he prompt and obedient without castigation ; but when a thrashin:-* i* given the well-bred colt never for gets it, so that the next time anything happens to cause the animal to make a plunge, it is such a one that a person would think be was going to jump into the next county, Here the foundation of fufuiv trouble is laid, for such nil animal may be soli! for a lady or timid man's use, an i some sight or other brings that whipping to his mind that he bounces off, jumps round, or plunges, scaring the driver, who may !o c e his or her head, which may cause a serious accident.

i Had judgment been exercised when the first mistake occurred all this would have been prevented in all possibility—if firmness had been used with appreciative- words of correction the horse would have maintained his composure and gone on quietly. On the other hand, he becomes a rebel from harsh treatment: often, too, he will acquire that, bad habit of "jibbing" afterward, which habit, by the way, is often improved by a dose of whip.

The horse that requires the whip is a drone and a dunce of low birth, therefore lethargic, for which there is no cure, either by kindness or force. But the well-bred animal should be treated as an intelligent creature, and he will soon bond to man's will. On the other hand, u-re the whip and he will fight you.

Let anyone try kindness with firmness of manner and voice; it will soon become apparent that, the man has command over these creatures without brute force.

If a horse is nervous how can any sane driver expect to cure it with a whip? Caress, coax, encourage and show the horse there is nothing to fear, .will walk up, look well, snort, and go on ; then the next time he will just look, and a word of encouragement sends him along.

Thrash the horse and see what takes place, and will take place ever after. The whip can In- placed on the dashboard, so as to he at hand in case of emergency should anything unusual occur, when it may be u-ed to steady the animal. But- the less use made of it the better for man and beast.

Shyers are not cured of shying by the use of the whip, hs a general rule, but they are often whipped unmercifully for it ail the same. The doctor would tell you in most, cases that the act whs the result of defective vision : it. is, therefore, cruelty to the poor creature to castigate it. Shyers should have the blinkers of tin* harness bridle bound round so that the horse, especially those with defective evesight. can see downward only, so as to know where to put the feet, but not objects around. No one should ever' strike a horse on the top of or side of the head' because the eyes may be injured.

.MARKETING 11 OX . Take care, when putting honey up for market, to make the packages as attractive as possible. Get a decent label, with a nice design, and if you cannot settle upon a design .yourself the draughtsman at "the printing office will Lie only too pleased to assist you in selecting one. The difference between a good and poor label may mean a, penny per lb on your honey, so don't, make tho mistake of getting a poor label. Have the cases, tins, and < very' package you u-e for marketing your honey of the best. It will pay you. Do not rush your honey into market while the warm weather lasts, us it will fetch a better price later on.