Farm and Garden.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 209, 11 September 1875, Page 22

Farm and Garden.

WELLING TO X HORTIGULT URAL SOCIETY. On Thursday the winter exhibition under the auspices of tire above society was held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. The show as a whole was very successful. Considering the time of year, the number of exhibits was large, and the quality quite as good as might have been expected. The principal feature of the exhition was the magnificent show of camellias. Messrs. Bramley (of the Botanical Gardens), Ludlam, and Mason, and several others bringing forward splendid exhibits. The seedlings of Mr. Bramley were especially noticeable. Of rhododendrons there was a capital display, Mr. Ludlam, as usual, distinguishing himself in this respect. Pot plants were well represented in the amateur class, but competition was not very keen, as Mr. H. H. Travers again carried all before him, Mr. H. F. Smith occasionally securing a prize. The hyacinths were plentiful and good, and foliage plants and ferns were also present in many varieties ; hut cut flowers were poor, and ragged in the extreme, if we except camellias .and rhododendrons. The prize for a floral device fell to Miss McDonald, and certainly the premium was well deserved. The design was a triumphal arch, and it was very tastefully and elaborately carried out with various hollies, cypresses, and mosses. The contrast between the scarlet berries and green and variegated leaves being remarkably effective. In the vegetable department there was one decent collection, with which Air. Cooper secured first prize, a few good cauliflowers, and a nice sample of new potatoes, but these were the only exhibits worthy of particular attention. The attendance was large during the afternoon and evening, in the afternoon the Marchioness of Xormanby honoring the show with her presence. The following gentlemen acted as judges:— For amateurs pot plants and cut flowers. Yen. Archdeacon Stock, M.A., Messrs. Cooper and McKay. For gardeners pot plants and cut flowers, Messrs. T. Kirk, F.L.S., J. Burne, and H. H. Travers. For fruits and vegetables, gardeners and amateurs, Messrs. M. Read, Heighten, and Ale Nab. Annexed is the prize list : JIATEVRS. Class I. Pot Plants. —New or rare plant—lst, 11. H. Travers. Specimen plant, in flower —Ist, 11. E. Smith. Variegated foliage plant—lst, Hall: 2nd, H. H. Travers. Foliage plant, not variegated—2nd, H. H. Travers. Fine foliage plant, varieties—lst, 11. H. Travers: 2nd, Smith. Fine foliage begonias, varieties —Ist, H. H. Travers. Begonias, in flower, varieties—lst, H. F. Smith : 2nd, Seed. Cyclamen, specimen—2nd, H. H. Travers. Greenhouse plants, in flower, varieties—lst, Smith ; 2nd, JL 11. Travers. Geraniums, varieties —Ist, II H. Travers. Geraniums, tricolor, varieties—lst, Smith ; 2nd, 11. H. Travers. Geraniums, bicolor, varieties—lst, H. H. Travers: 2nd, Smith. Geraniums, ivy-leaved, in flower, varieties —Ist, Smith. Calceolarias, specimen—Ist, Philips. Cinerarias, varieties—lst, Philips: 2nd, 11. It. Travers. Cinerarias, specimen—2nd, H. H. Travers. Heaths, varieties—lst, H. 11. Travers. Epacris—lst, H. H. Travers. Primulas, varieties—lst, Philips ; 2nd, .T. Burne. Auriculas, varieties—lst. 11. H. Travers. Hyacinths—lst, 11. 11. Travers. New Zealand ferns, in pots not exceeding Sin.—lst, H. H. Travers. Exotic ferns, in pots not exceeding Sin.—lst, TL H. Travers ; 2nd, Smith. Lycopods. varieties—lst, H. 11. Travers. Bulbs, varieties—2nd, H. H. Travers. Climbing plant —2nd, H. 11. Travers. Class 11. Cut. Flowers. —Camellias, varieties—lst, Mason ; 2nd, Ludlam. Camellia —Ist, Ludlam; 2nd, Mason. Rhododendrons, at least three varieties—lst. Ludlam. Azaleas, at least three varieties—lst, Ludlam ; 2nd. Mason. Anemones, at least three varieties —lst, Ludlam; 2nd, Mason. Hyacinths, at least four varieties—2nd. Philips. Bnlbs, varieties—lst, Philips. General collection cut blooms—lst, Mason ; 2nd, H. H. Travers. Collection of polyanthus and primroses- Ist. Philips. Class 111. Fruits and. Vegetables. —Best collection of store apples—lst, Mason. Brocoli —Ist, Ivirk; 2nd, Read. Turnips—lst, Freeman : 2nd, Mason. Lettuces—lst, 11. H. Travers ; 2nd, Freeman. Seakale, best exhibit —Ist. 11. 11. Travers. New potatoes—lst, Freeman; 2nd, Read. Onions —Ist, Mason; 2nd, 11. H. Travers. Collection of vegetables on tray—lst, Mason. Carrots —Ist, Read. Class IV. Oj ten. to All.- -Best dressed flower stand —2nd, Miss McDonald. Best band bouquet, not to exceed din. in diameter -Ist, Miss Hales; Best pair of specimen nikau palms—lst, C. Duncan. HARDENERS. Class I. — Pot Plants.— New or rare plant—McNab, Ist. Specimen plant, in flower—McNab, Ist ; Donald, 2nd. Variegated foliage plant—McNab, Ist; Cooper, 2nd. Foliage plant (not variegated) Cooper, 2nd. Fine foliage plants, varieties—Cooper, Ist: McNab, 2nd. Begonias, in flower, varieties—McNab, Ist. Fine foliage begonias, varieties —McKay, Ist. Geraniums Cooper, 2nd. Geraniums, tricolor, varieties—Cooper, Ist. Geraniums, bicolor, varieties —Cooper, Ist. Roses, 2 varieties McKay, Ist. Azaleas, varieties Pcgain, Ist. Auriculas, varieties Cooper, 2nd. N. Z. ferns, in pots not exceeding S inches in diameter—McKay, Ist; Cooper, 2nd. Exotic ferns and allies —McNab, Ist. Heaths, in flower—Cooper, Ist. 3 camellias —Bramley. Ist. Greenhouse plants, in flower, varieties—Cooper, Ist : McKay, 2nd. 3 cyclamens - Cooper, Ist. 1 specimen—McKay, Ist. 3 cinerarias—McKay. Ist. 2 primulas—Cooper, Ist ; Pcgain, 2nd. 1 specimen— McKay, 2nd. -1 hyacinths, varieties—McNab, Ist; Donald, 2nd. Class lI — C-ut, Flowers. —f camellias, varieties— Bramley, 2nd. Hyacinths, varieties —McNab, Ist. Collection cut flowers Bramley, 1 ; Cooper, 2. Anemones, at least 3 varieties—Uunkcnburg, 2nd. Class IV. — Vegetables (to be judged according to fitness for use). —Cucumbers—McKay, Ist. Stalks Rhubarb —Cooper, Ist. 3 head celery—l!. Mantle, Ist; Laing, 2nd. Kidney potatoes Laing, Ist; Mantle, 2nd. Brocoli—B. Mantle, Ist ; Laing, 2nd. Cabbages—B. Mantle, Ist ; Laing, 2nd. Onions— Laing, 2nd. Turnips—B. Mantle, Ist; Cooper, 2nd. Carrots—Laing, Ist. Lettuces —Laing, Ist, Red Beet—lt. Donald, Ist. Best collection of vegetables, on tray—Laing, Ist; Mantle, 2nd. Brussel sprouts— Cooper, Ist; Laing, 2nd.

Note. —The judges would call attention of the council to the necessity of prohibiting the exhibition of any plant in a collection of greenhouse plants, or as a specimen plant, when there is a separate class in which the plant can be exhibited. In class 1., No. 1, the first prize is taken by a cyclamen, which should have been exhibited in No. 8 of the same class. The second prize is taken by a plant which should have been exhibited in No. 3. The judges have been informed that great laxity has hitherto prevailed with regard to this matter, and therefore that injustice would he done by disqualifying the plants named and others without due notice being given.

AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Messrs. Despritz, in the north of France, have 1485 acres devoted to the exclusive culture of beet seed, and Gaily employ 350 laborers. They have also a staff of chemists. The Mayor of New Orleans has advertised for proposals for planting around that city a great number of the Eucalyptus ylobulus, or Australian fever tree.

The average price of a horse in California is 871.45 mule, 889.22 ; cow, 827.99 ; sheep, 82.61 ; hog, 84.36 In Illinois the average value of a cow is put down at 830.03 ; in Ohio, 829.57 ; Texas, 815.25 ; Virginia, 822 ; New York, £30.50 ; Massachusetts, 845. The agricultural statistics of Great Britain show there are 23,000,000 acres in permanent pasture or meadow in that country. This is one-half of the cultivated land of the kingdom. The average yield is 2016 pounds of hay per acre.

A writer says when you insert articles on alfalfa or Chili clover, please mention that it is the lueern of the hooks, then reading farmers will not he misled by the glowing accounts sometimes given of it in California letters and papers. _ The increase in the cultivation of beet-root in Europe for the manufacture of sugar is said to he causing great loss to the cane-sugar planters of Cuba, who have been at an enormous outlay for machinery and labor to produce tiie fine class of sugar that is exported from thence. Should the European manufacture and consumption of beet-sugar go on increasing as it has done during the past four years, serious changes are anticipated in the canesugar productions all over the West Indies. An English paper speaks of the astounding luxuriance of the old red fuchsia in Ireland, near Oarliugford Bay. It assumes the proportions of trees, mounts above the eaves and chimneys, and shades the windows with big clustering sprays of tiny, dark-green leaves, and deep scarlet, waxen bells. Many of these shrubs must be of patriarchal age, for their trunks are gnarled, and tough as oak ; but the older they are, the more determined is their perseverance in showering around an exhanstless wealth of hardy grace and color. In one or two instances the dwellings were completely hidden and turned into bowers by this quaintly beautiful plant or tree. CALVES FOR THE DAIRY. A writer in the New York Tribune gives the following hints respecting the rearing of cattle for dairy purposes : —“ In breeding cattle for the dairy,” he writes, “a different system should be followed than when the stock is designed for the shambles. It is a great mistake to let calves intended for cows suck their mothers or to. feed them to such an extent that they are made good veals. Calves thus bred do not make good cows, for the reason that there is an undue development of fat and muscle, and a consequent want of development of lacteal qualities. Any milking breed of cattle lived in this way will deteriorate. The proof of this statement is the history of the shorthorns, which breed having been bred on the stuffing principle, contains hundreds of cows which do not give milk enough to raise their own offspring. Calves which suck are very likely to have thick, heavy necks, heavy shoulders, coarse bone and muscles. The most successful dairy breeder with whom I am acquainted never allows his calves to suck at all. My practice is to let them suck until a week old. I flunk this is an advantage to the cow, reducing the inflammation in the bag, and also preventing nervous excitement to the mother at a time when such excitement might be very injurious. After the calf is a week old it may he removed from the mother’s sight without any injury to the dam, and meanwhile its digestive organs have been exercised naturally and the young animal is better fitted to be fed. It is, however, a fact that a young calf will grow faster and look nicer when sucking a very small amount of milk than when fed three times the quantity out of a pail. The reason of this is because, when sucking, the saliva is abundantly secreted and mixed with the milk, which promotes digestion and assimilation, whereas, when tiie milk is drank, there is no secretion of saliva. It will not pay, however, for the dairyman to raise calves in this way, unless the milk of a cow could he divided among several calves, each one sucking its portion in its turn. To have a cow as profitable as possible in the flow of her milk she should he kept entirely separate from her calf. Calves can be raised on skim-milk, and will do well. If the milk is scarce it can be mixed with a tea made by boiling bright clean hay. A calf can be raised on four quarts of milk—• two at night and two in the morning—with the addition of hay tea. When three weeks old they will begin to eat a little hay or grass, and when four weeks old a little oat or linseed meal. If kept growing all the year round, calves raised even on such scanty rations will make good animals. Many a fine Jersey from superior stock has been spoiled in the rearing, and instead of making a good cow, with a fine udder and milking developments, has made a meaty, coarse, useless female steer. Calves should bo halter-broke when young, and made so tame that they cau be approached anywhere. Animals thus handled are never so liable to accident as when allowed to grow up wild and ungovernable, and besides they are so much better to manage that this fact alone will compensate for all the trouble in breaking them. Often more time is spent in trying to force an unbroken cow or hull into a car or stable than to halter-brake a dozen calves. Calves should never be handled about tiie head, unless to put thu halter on them, or touched on their horns, or have their ears pulled, as such kind of petting is almost certain to make them ugly, and, when they grow up, dangerous. No animal is more grateful for a little extra feed in the winter than the calf, and none will show its effects more. The farmer who raises a few roots for his calves and forgets not a little meal will surely enjoy a lively frolic and a run when in the spring time he opens the gate and leads his pets into the green fields.

MANURING IN WINTER

In answer to the question, “Is it desirable to draw manure to the fields daily, and, if so, to leave it in heaps or spread it ?” the New York Tribune has the following : The least possible amount of labor that cau he given barn yard and stable manure, and use it at all, is to draw it as made, and spread it at once from the sled or waggon on the ground. Wo were very much pleased at viewing the barn of the Hon. Harry Lewis, now President of the New York State Agricultural Society. The arrangements for feeding liis cows, and for taking away their manure, appeared to involve the least possible amount of labor. Some fifty cows stood in a high basement that opened on three sides above the surrounding ground. There was room enough behind each row of cows to drive a sled, on which each day’s manure could be cast at a single movement of the dung fork or shovel. This sled is driven out at the end of the basement stable directly to the field, if desired, and by another handling is spread, and ready to begin its work. As to leaving manure in heaps in the field, we can see but oiie good reason, and that is to have it heat, and thus destroy the seeds of weeds. This we have the past season done, and we are now spreading these piles by using a sled, having to give the manure an extra handling, and losing all use of it since it was drawn from our cowyard last spring. But we have killed many seeds of foul weeds, and will have this manure on the top of the ground, leaching into it all "winter. In the spring, a brush drawn over this manure, in various directions and many times, will reduce it and spread it, so that next year’s pasture will get great benefit from it ; and if the land should be ploughed in autumn and well pulverised, and sown early, the prospect for a wheat crop, as large as grows here, would bo first-rate. On a part of this same field, which has 29 acres in it, we last winter drew manure fresh from the sheep sheds. The great growth of grass that came of this sheep manure last summer enabled us to make this both pasture and meadow. Five or six acres were mown, thereby making some hay, and producing a fresh growth of grass that the cattle would eat better than they would the too rank growth that someway got the start of them early in the season. To-day this sheep-manured part of the field has a strong growth of thick grass. The crop of wheat that probably will be harvested in 1576 will tell those who may then be here to see something of the comparative benefits, of the different ways of applying the manure. POULTRY. For several years I was very unsuccessful in raising chickens and little turkeys. They would hatch out nicely ; I was very careful of them, fed them well and gave them plenty of drink, hut before they were a week old, most of them would droop and die. At length I discovered the cause. I found that the gizzard was not supplied with material for grinding the food, and it was therefore either undigested and remained dormant, or hardened on the crop. Since then I have, for the first meal 1 give them, pounded up glass or broken crockery as fine as convenient, and they will pick up the atoms aud swallow them before they will touch any nourishing food. Regularly three times a week I give them a supply of the pulverised crockery ; and I would not ask for bettersuccess than has attended my raising of poultry. When they are about four weeks old, I mix a little sulphur with their food twice a week ; it prevents the pip, and also keeps them free from lice. Through the winter, I give all my poultry a supply of material for their grist-mill once in about two weeks ; they will rush for it with great eagerness, and swallow pieces as large as a five eeut. piece, without any trouble. I also mix cayenne pepper with their food occasionally ; give them hot drinks, and plenty of earth or ashes to roll in. There is work in raising poultry, but if it is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well ; and there is nothing more discouraging than to have a fine brood of chickens hatch out, aud in a few days to have them all gone, and the poor hen go clutching around you, as if reproaching you for your neglect. I do not think people generally keep their poultry quite clean enough for health. A little whitewash on their roosts is a good luxury to them ; also fresh earth, quite often renewed, on the floor of the henneries ; the nests cleared out often, and fresh straw or hay furnished. It is really pleasant to hear them prate their thankfulness for such favors. A farmer’s wife, in the Albany Cultivator. HOW TO ASCERTAIN THE AGE OF STOCK. The age of sheep is ascertainable by examining the state of their teeth. In their second year they have two broad teeth, in their third year four, in their fourth six, and in their fifth eight broad teeth before. After this no one can tell how old a sheep is while its teeth remain, except by their being more or less worn down. About the cud of one year rams, wethers, and all young sheep lose the two fore teetli ; at 1S months the two teeth next to the former also fall out ; and at three years, being all replaced, they are quite even, and generally very white. But as the animals advance in age the teeth become loose, blunt, aud afterwards black. As horned stock are managed in this colony, the utility of detaining the ages of animals is practically of less importance than in the case of horses and sheep ; yet the knowledge is requisite in dealing with stock for stud, dairy, or labor purposes, and therefore should bo acquired by those engaged in any of those branches of husbandry or by general dealers in such stock.

The criteria of ago are derived chiefly from the horns, though in the case of polled or hornless and very young cattle it is necessary to have recourse to the teetli. It cannot be said that cattle, in a literal sense, actually shed tlieir horns ; but there is no doubt that the outer skin or surface is cast off and renewed by a continuous or gradual process, and it is by the marks left by this change and annual

renewal that the age after three years can bo determined. The manner of this casting oil' is not uniform, nor is the growth equal. Sometimes the surface falls away in granular dust, and sometimes it exfoliates, or falls in small flalces or fragments, and without close observation unobserved. After passing the ago of three years two small pointed horns make their appearance. These are neatly formed, smooth, and towards the head terminated by a kind of button. The following, or fifth year of the animal’s age, this button moves from the head, being pushed forward lay a horny cylinder, which, lengthening in the same manner, is also terminated by another button, and so on annually, for the growth continues to the end of the animal's life. These buttons became annular joints or rings, easily distinguishable towards the base of the horn, lly those rings the age of the animal may bo easily known. Allowing three years for the clear point of the horn, and one year for each ring, we have the required information. It may bo mentioned that, even in this colony, dishonest cowdealers not obliterate a portion or the whole of these rings by rasping or shaving them out, and thus pass off an aged animal for a young one. In purchasing milch cows it is, therefore, necessary to examine the horns closely to see that they have not been tampered with ; and also to take note of the countenance, which gives unmistakeablo indications of age when far advanced ; the face, so to speak, becomes wrinkled, and there is a hollowness about the nostrils and eyes. The mouth should also be examined where there is any ground for suspicion, as the teeth will probably be much worse—almost stumps—"'hen the animal's age is such as tu tempt to the attempt at deception. ith regard to poled stock, the teeth alone can furnish criteria of age. At the end of about two years the first four teeth are shed ami replaced by others, larger, hut not so white; and before five years all the incisive teeth are renewed. These teeth are at first equal, long, and pretty white, but as the animals advance in years they wear down, become unequal, of irregular surface, and grow black.— South Australian Adrcrtiscr. WOOL. to Tnn editor or the sew Zealand mail. —ln a letter inserted in your issue of to-day, Mr. Samuel Levans again returns to the matter of IHo Plata wool. Some time ago, for his information, .1 gave him the exact statistics of the wool-clip of the year IM3-4, shipped from the Rio Plata States. He seemingly has never been able to conceive how he could have gone so far astray in the tigures which he published, as ever since now and again—he lias re turned to the matter. This time he lias got hold of a statement issued by a firm of wool-brokers conducting business in Antwerp and Melbourne, a mere touting advertisement. JIo meets there the statement that the Rio Plata bales average S cwt. "Well and good: that merely shows that they say so. The figures in my letter setting Mr. Revans right gave the total number of bales and the number of arobas shipped Mr. llevans, if he divides one by the other, will get the precise average weight, a little under f, cwt., if ( remember rightly. Mr. Revans meets also the statement that by shipping wool to Antwerp instead of London, exporters from these colonies will save eg 10s. per hale :he swallows it at once. I would ask any one who knows anything of the matter, would the freight in Antwerp lie less*/ Would the marine insurance be less? The only thing that might he less is the store rent : but as this in London amounts only to Is. (id. per bale, where is the saving of g? lbs. to come from? It cannot be that a higher price is obtainable for wool at Antwerp, because -Mr. Revans tells us on the authority of these wool-brokers that Yorkshire wool-buyers frequent the sales at Antwerp. IS'ow. it seems very plain to me, that Yorkshire woolbuyers will not go to Antwerp unless they can buy at lower prices than they can buy for in' London. I think Mr. Revans may safelv conclude that the statement of the weight of Rio Plata hales, and of the quality of ! tin Plata wool, are on a par with the statement of the saving of ,c2 10s. per bale.—l am, Ac.. "Wellington, September 4. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sin,—lt is strange in these days that we cannot ascertain the average weight of the bales of wool sent put of Rio Plata. The Buenos Ayres Standard states it is at a little less than newt., say 5301bs ; Air. Latham, in his work entitled, “The'.States of the River Plate," at SOOlbs.; and Messrs, ttenard Brothers and Co., of Melbourne and Antwerp, at SDtilhs., and the accuracy of some of their figures is verified by comparison with those given by London brokers whose facts have not been questioned. Tue word toutor means a canvasser for business, so that it may he applied to an immense number of most respectable persons, though it is associated with noise, intrusion, and vulgarity, and is therefore specially applied to a class: but why applied to Messrs. Itenard Brothers and Co I confess lam gn ora nt. That it is desirable to have of ready access several rather than one market is so self-evident as not to need discussion. And the Press of Melbourne and Sydney have urged for some time upon wool-growers the wisdom of shipping to the Continent of Kurope and 1 nited States of America. We are not proving ourselves behind Australia generally, and should follow any suggestion of their merchants or Press wnon it is seen so to act would lie wise, especially when no extra capital will he needed, but merely a transfer of a portion from one to the other side of the British Channel. These arc the days of wise economy, and wool ships, like grain, cotton, and other vessels', might he instructed to call for orders in the south of Ireland—a necessity which will continue into the greatest possible development of the telegraph system Being upon wool, I will add a few figures and remarks upon tiie subject, which may he interesting to your readers. At the four sales of colonial wool there were and will be offered in

There is a difference between the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s Circular and Jny statement in estimating increased supply from clip. They state it at 30,000 bales, whilst my statement puts it at 0000 bales less, and for this reason that 0000 or 8000 hales of 74-75 clip were sent bv steamer from Melbourne, and were offered at last year’s November sale. A further deduction might he made for New Zealand, the export of which (fid not equal that of 73-74 by several thousand hales, judging hv valuation, and assuming it to have been the same by the Customs here this as last year. As l have before said, it is not to our credit that we are the only wool colony in these seas which has not furnished the export of wool in pounds or hales to the grower through the Press, of the 74-75 clip. I learn from the Press that the lliverina clip for this year began to appear in Melbourne on August 15th last. This, of course, arises out of the facility afforded by the railroad with special climate ; anil tins suggests that such may be the effect of the sliced it will afford, with the development of the steam engine, that a complete revolution may take place in the quantities of wool offered at the sales ; that the first, may become last in importance, and November and February sales offer the largest quantities, especially the November sale, and this mav he a return to the bygone, when speed was at its slowest or lowest.

I know not the power of the lliverina country to send out wool, but, if large, the November sale, which bids fair to be so unusually small, may prove quite the reverse. I must not close without stating that the error attributed to Messrs. Kcnard Brothers and Co., is due, 1 believe, to myself, and how it happened I know not, unless through writing with gout, influenza, and sore throat had to do with it.—l am. Ac., Samuel He vans. M’oodside, September 7.

At the ;> first of these sales 1S74. 801,000 . .. 711,410 . lS7f>. . 840,000 . 702,447 Left for November sales .. 8!),f>S4 . . 37,;m3