AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 16

AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.

The same varieties of wheat d-.ffer fairly widely in appearance when grown in different environments.

Cotton-seed poisoning or injury, is a condition of animals iri .America of great economic importance.

Brown-top demands a standard of soilfertility between cocksfoot on the one hand and DaQthonia pilosa on the other.

The digging of a drain-ditch requires considerable skill if it is to be done correctly, and proper draining tools are nticessary for this purpose.

It is impossible to follow definite rules in the curing of hay, as the weather prevailing it the time of hay-making has a direct' influence on the procedure.

Top-dressing trials on permanent pastures show an increase in the yield of hay of 30 per cent, on plots on which rock phosphate at 3cwt. per acre was used.

Stands that are now being prepared for lucerne should be frequently worked during the coirihtg month' so as to destroy weeds and provide a fine but firm tilth.

Storage of both wheat and flour for a period increases their capacity for the absorption of water, and results, id the case of flour, in a marked, improvement in colour.

Should the apiary be in a permanent situation nc better plan ran be followed than to provide concrete ' hive-stands. They are comparatively inexpensive and permanent.

Careless or improper methods of curing lucerne or' clover hay m-jy result in a loss of as much as 50 per cent, of the crop, the leave 3 being the principal source of loss.

Many farmers cannot afford to buy pure, tested oows of high milking qualities, ,but it is within the scope of all to build rip the herd by breeding from sires of tested strains only.

The grassland farmer should recognise that every grass and clover that may be used in his pastures has a standard of soil-fertility that must bo maintained in order that that species, may thrive.

The middle of November is early enough for sowing maize for forage purposes. Earlier sowing is risky, as the young plants are apt to become checked when appearing above the ground.

Last year 470,401 tons of meat, poultry and provisions Were Sent to the London central markets for sale, which is 7326 tons above the total for 1822, and has not been exceeded in the 55 years' existence of the market.

The subdivision of holdings into smaller areas allows of Hhc better handling of stock, so that the pastures are grazed more effectively. When spelled, the paddocks may be run over with the tripodchain harrows.

Early mowing of the hay crop should be practised, as the material *is then not only better in quality, but the fresh, growth of the aftermath will be helpful at a time when other pastures arc becoming dry and stale.

Sugar beets have a feeding-value of about two-thirds more than mangels, the ratio being about 9to 15. On the other hand, one should get double, and in more cases three times, the weight of mangels per acre : besides which the latter are easier pui.jed and handled.

It has been suggested that African oxpeckers be introduced to combat the cattle tick, but these birds have been shown to be injurious to stock. Moreover, it is probable that, the starlings unaided will do the work quite as well as any other birds '.hat might be imported.

Horses are subject to infection from lice, no matter what condition they may be in; but the lice, by their continual irritation of the animals, tend to reduce their condition. The best remedy is the application of non-poisonous sheep dip and it is most important that the coverbe treated as well to prevent re-infection.

The horse is fas'. returning to his place haulage purposes in England. Economy in working, adaptability to short journeys with frequent stops, and pulling capacity, economic considerations ot longevity, ' and exemption from tar, ase. combining to restore the horse to hra old position.