ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17347, 19 December 1919, Page 13

ON THE LAND.

is; CODLIN MOTH. '. ft I • The worst insect i enemy of the fruitgrower is codlin moth, but-by efficient j and |opportune spraying with arsenical * washes it can be Kept in subjection, with comparative ease, and at relatively Jittlo cost; ]J. The initial spraying should "take place so soon as the blossoms fall from the ; apple and the pear trees, and the poison i should be forced well into the cups of.' the: newly formed fruits. Immediately the j petals have fallen you will notice; on the ti>p of the young fruit five triangular'] lobe's'projecting in a circle round a small hollow or cujfn, which often is called, the eve Subsequently the lobes close over! the 'C hollow. It has been found that if poison can be lodged in these cups just Before the lobes close over them, it will be protected from the weather, and, as a large percentage of grubs make their entrance at the eye, the great majority that do so will be poisoned. Three spray ngs should be applied within * period of not more than four weeks, and severs! others at- intervals of about a month are necessary to protect late ripening apples and pears. When heavy rain occur: i soon after spraying it is essential to repeat the application at once. In view of the limited precipitation during the list nine months, nobody will object to do that, and in fact will bo rather glad to do so than otherwise. Either one of the following sprays can be ' recom, mewled : —Arsenate of Lead— not less thar lib of arsenate of lead paste in 20 gallons of water. N6 lime is needed. Pans Green and Lime—Paris green (BlundeiPe). Los; fresh lime Jib; water 10 «-allons. Slake, and strain the lime, work the pari?, green powder' into a smooth paste whh some of the strong lime water. Then add to it the remainder of the 10 gallons of water. Keep it constantly stirr when aoplving, and only mist the fruit all over lightly; do not drench them. Arsenate of Soda—White arsenate, lib: washing soda, 21b";. water, 1 gallon. Boil the soda in the waters until it dissolves. Then stir in the arsenate and boil until it dissolves. This usually takes about an hour. When about to spray add 1 pint of this mixture to 40 gallons of lime water, made by slacking and straining not less than 61b of fresh lime.

LAND SETTLEMENT METHODS. A'well-known resident of the Bay of i Islands writes :"Fiity years ago, in a ishort visit to Canada, I learnt of the simple efficient way of carrying on the -work "of settling the land. The surveyors were miles ahead of settlement, consequently there was plenty of land always waiting for > new settlers—just- a few "formalities in an office not far from the land selected —•probably by a locgj resident, not a Government official—and the new chum, or greenhorn, or < tenderfoot,- started on his career fully assured that if he fulfilled the simple conditions bis freehold title would: be his in due course. I have all the 'time tried to get our people here to understand this, hut have 'met with unsatisfactory answers. To anyone looking on, the transaction should be as simple as buying a has of sugar or a pair of pants. Scrutiny', of course—-sufficient ' to learn the bona fides of the applicant—with that settled, take the papers and go ahead; That ballot-box business is just .madden* ing. Fancy a storekeeper holding a ballot over every article he sold; or a mother with a pudding, not big enough for all, dividing it up before the hungry youngsters and then proceeding ' to " ballot." Wo may take it for granted that one experience would settle it—the ballot-box would go into the fire. In the matter of time, one would think that the " Department was run by Maoris of the old type th'JJb* iaihoa' is extended. One of the first sections settled by a returned soldier, not' far from here, took nine months from the .time he made his application until he got possession. A case is now under discussionas plain as any case can possibly be:—The applicant found suitable, as he is, should be dealt with in a few minutes, giving place to the crowd waiting outside the office door. He is treated to a childish talk about unsuitable climate, "thin blood, andjj;waiting for a "" ballot"—-sending ■ him away disgusted. Another case across the valley was played with until the applicant had left for the South. " Then the news; came that the Department had approved of the transaction, but the property is still waiting." A NEW FERTIMSER. '' ■ The January issue ; of Chambers'. Journal contains the following particulars* of a new fertiliser:"Fertilisers ' -will form one of the most pressing needs of the world in the future, unless new discoveries put an end to the present shortage. lience the manufacture in Italy of a substance known as 'tetraphosphate,' of which the fertilising qualities are said to equal those of superphosphate, is of particular interest. The process of manufacture is a simple one, the "natural phosphate rock being ground to powder, ar d roasted in a furnace for several hours a-, a temperature of from 600 to 80Odeg. centigrade. Before being roasted; the ground rock is mixed with 6 per cent, of & reactive agent consisting of equal parts of calcium, sodium, and magnesium carbonate with, a small proportion of sodium sulphate, the resulting concentrate contains 15 to'2l per cent, of 'phosphoric acid, and is reduced in strength for practical use by the addition of sand or dry earth. A special commission appointed by the Italian Minister of Agriculture has pronounced the fertilising qualities of tetraphosphate to be at least equal to those of superphosphate, and the subbeing free from causticity, acidity, and stance has the additional" advantage of deterioration. Moreover, the cost of the plant needed for its production is only about 15 per cent, of that required for an equal output of superphosphate, while the process can be advantageously applied to minerals containing only low percentages of phosphorus. The pro..ess has been patented, and is being exploited bv Italy and other countries". GREASE IN HORSES. . If the skin is much inflamed and sore' and discharging offensive secretion it may be necessary to clip away the long hair and foment arid poultice the part. After a day or two of this treatment an astringent Motion should be applied. A very good lotion is composed of two parts of lead acetate and one and a-half parts of zinc sulphate dissolved in about 30 parts of water. This should be well shaken up when about to be used, when it forms a white lotion, which should be applied to the diseased skin by means of a piece of sponge. Should it be necessary to work the horse before the skin is perfectly healthy, and there is a likelihood of the limbs becoming wet and dirty, it is advisable to cover the heels and back of the logs with a mixture composed of white lead, one part, linseed oil, two parts. This should be applied by means of a. brush. FARMYARD MANURE. Where stock are housed at all (writes " Hickory " in the Australasian) it is necessary to clear out the manure at intervals, and there is little more trouble in building it into well-formed solid heaps than there is in dumping it anywhere,, and in any shape, as long as it is out of' sight The principle on which Old Country farmers work are protection from air and from rain. This is secured by making the manure heap solid, and by protecting it; a further improvement can be effected by preventing the draining away of the liquid. The heap is often made in a shallow pit lined with clay, or built up on the surface. In the latter case, if the liquid must drain away, it is led by furrows into a small pit, from which it can be pumped over the mass at intervals Liberality in providing bedding reaps 'its reward in the manure heap, by the greater bulk and by the retention of ammonia. The manure should be consolidated by carting over it each time a fresh load is brought from the farm buildings, just as in making ensilage in a trench. The width and length of the heap is marked by stakes. The first cartloads are emptied in a row across the breadth of the site, and the second row parallel to them, and so on, the horses and carts passing each time over the

-* , nwillll|»| |ii||i||||||||||i M Mi > , W a»^««in^«WM»M»a»»W«M».»--~—~- " fieaps''previously laid down. In building " the (second layer ..the same .procedure is followed ; but each load is well spread, out, the middle being kept higher; than the ends. There 'is thus an ; incline at ;! each end, over which the horses and carts pass, treading and pressing the material down into a solid mass. As a' ■ finish/ the loose ; dung along!the ends and sides is thrown on top, and consolidated by treading;*the 'heap is then ridged up, and covered by about 6in of earth. A few farmers have' their manure heaps covered with a roof; but the majority trust to. a good covering.of 'earth. Before, ploughing for the potato crop, the manure is carted f put]' spread over the land, and then ploughed - in. « Manure distributors - are coming fe into use v for spreading the manure in these older districts. PEAS . FOR STOCK. The New Zealand Journal of Agricul- : ture says For fattening _ lambs it is claimed that one-acre'of peas will produce a great weight of meat than a similar area of any other i forage. Ground and fed to dairy coWs peas? form ..'one. of the best ; milk-producing foods. • For - growing pigs and the production of: lean pork peas are unexcelled.- In - addition to ; the gram r food which peas furnish, the straw, when well t harvested, is valuable for winter fodder. At Moumahaki it is chaffed and fed extensively to sheep - when >'■ folded on roots. No ~ trouble ris experienced in inducing hoggets to eat the <haff— ; fact,, they eat it with avidity. For soil-renova-tion purposes .alone the cultivation of peas is .Warranted;: and the quality of the pasture following a pea crop ; is undoubtedly rich in flesh-forming matter. *'■: During the past eight years the writer has always sown, down grass after, peas, and the Moumahaki pastures" to-day are the admiration of every farmer visitor. After harvesting f peas,; the land on; ; which the crop was grown will contain more nitrogen than before the peas were sown. The -advantage of growing peas with* a , view to preparing the land, for any 'crop which requires much nitrogen v is therefore evident. Peas are ' a crop Which it is easy to grow, and which will succeed on I 'soil somewhat low • in plant-food, provided lime is applied. This is essential;, peas.. ' will not thrive on soils which lack hme. On well-prepared land, even if foul .with certain forms of weeds, peas will succeed, and are often grown f&r the purposed cleaning the land for succeeding crops. pry,< sandy,- and; "gravelly land deficient in moisture is unsuitable; sandy loams are good it moist; - but the best soil is a j porous and moist clay loam well drained. " ;As regards - climatic conditions, peas - usually succeed best in a'moist-climate ; where the" temperatures during the grow-ing-period are not extreme in variation and the nights are cool. Hot and dry climates are not .suitable, especially where strong Winds prevail at the time the peas are coming into bloom. In rotation the . writer * prefers -peas after* a cereal crop, as theoretically that is the right place in ...e —cereals taking away nitrogen, and peafa / returning iit to the soil., j Of course, peas do well when sown on the j overturned sod, but it is better farmingpractice to -use these lands for Toots; or cereals, as they contain an abundance of vegetable matter which is. not requisite -- for , peas. In * preparing the land, plough deeply and ; work well, so a«;to obtain a fine seed-bed. In the.North Island September «is a suitable month for sowing the seed should-be drilled deeply, . especially on light soils, and the land i harrowed and rolled .after,;, drilling.. On , very rich land it is of a : quick-acting phos- I phatic fertiliser, preferably super- ' phosphate, and drills' three/bushels- peas - per acre. When the crop is s well above ground the i harrows are put over the land, I choosing "a, fine dry day for the operation. This assists in the conservation of moisture and, checks weed-growth.. NO further attention is required until'the '* crop is ready to harvest. The peas should ' be well ripened, but cut before the pods begin to open, and the crop can be stacked within at iew- : days if fine weather - prevails when' cutting.V' 7 --' t . . . -■ «». ° #;-i'',.t fc'i ..if-'- s

S?\Kife %;is-;;«ii£vi-'-i-\ ''-■■ ■■■' ■•■■V BROKEN KNEES, ; When a horse has been let down owners look for a cause, i Careless driving, riding, - shoeing, and untrimmsd ;hoofs are" fre-1 quent causes. In some eases a weakness j : m physical conformation can be blamed. . Horses with, upright .pasterns and turnedout toes, are particularly addicted to Y jWhw;tthe;skin-is:iust grazed it is a simple matter. The first step, matter what the extent of the injury, is to : remove all dirt, which is best done by means of a syringe or sponge, and some i antiseptic, such as warm carbolic solution. ' All ragged bits of flesh should be cut j away with a pair, of scissors." A good flow of blood at , first will -remove danger of infection? •■- but, if- bleeding continues," spray with a 10 per cent, solution of tincture of iron, or apply collodion. When the wound is clean, and there is no bleeding, apply tincture of iodine. ""Growth'' of hair when the knee' has' only been grazed ' may be promoted by the application of, the s . following,ointment:—Snlph. praecep., ' ldr; tine, cantharides, ldr;.. lanoluie 2dr; I vaseline, loz. In deep"cafe the horse must be put in slings, and it is better to employ a veterinary surgeon- If the limb is rested on the toe, joint injuries may be suspected, and pain will be ebown. Reduce the fever, and give laxative food. If the injury is slight give a mild purgative. If the injury has opened the joint, a, yellow,transparent-liquid exudes. The cavity, must be made asceptic, and good drainage secured. The wound should be covered between dressings with antiseptic wadding and flannel bandage. Such an injury generally means permanent stiffness of the joint, and if the bottom sac of', the knee-joint be open the horse is better destroyed. A cradle on the neck will prevent the horse biting the wound.

ENCOURAGING YOUNG FARMERS. i With a view to stimulating, in the young, interest in farming and thus increasing the yield of crops, both in the United States ahd in several British Colonies • competitions are held for the best crops raised by young people on small plots of ground. Recently such a competition for maize-growing was held in the State of Queensland. It was open to all residents in the State under the a<* e of eighteen. There were 296 entries includno fewer than 15 by girls, two of whom, secured prizes. The area each was to devote to maize was strictly limited to onetenth of an acre, selected seed being furnished by the State, free of cost. Each i competitor had absolute freedom in his choice of ground, and in the methods adopted in preparing, planting and cultivating his plot. A table was given showl?g the length the rows, 4 feet apart should have so as to give the exact area according to the number of rows planted - ] .bach competitor was required to keep a record chart showing the dates and particulars of the different stages of work ' and these charte had to be delivered at harvest, to the officer appointed for superintending and verifying the yield. Duplicate forms for such records were supplied to each competitor, as well as the labels far sending ten cobs selected from each crop to the Principal of the Queensland Agricultural College, Gatton, who was the sole judge .of the. competition. No competitor was allowed to employ or permit any labour upon hie plot other than his own personal labour, except in relation to the driving of horses. AUSTRALIAN WOOL. # According to figures quoted at the open- ' ing of the sheep show in Sydney recently the wool clip alone of Australia has been worth on the average 42 millions sterling per annum during the last four years Admittedly the Imperial Government has to be thanked for such a very satisfactory result, because it purchased the wool and made the way clear to the pastoralists and others. It is interesting to note that in 1788 the total number of sheep in Australia was 29. A hundred • years later— 1888— aggregate was 97,983,000. After that droughts, flies, and other pests reduced the number to 84,965,000 in 1917. New South Wales has alwavs been the premier sheep State. In . 1917 the flocks there totalled about 36,000,000 head, although they had been as high' as 45,500,000 in 1910. Queensland came next with 17.000,000;. Victoria third with nearly 15,000,000; then followed Western Australia with 6,300,000, South Australia with 6,200,000, and Tasmania last with 1,700,000 head. , ,