Editorial Notes.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1060, 23 June 1892, Page 5

Editorial Notes.

We are glad to notice, from our own personal knowledge and from what wo hear, that the great disclination against adopting the career of a farmer, which undoubtedly has existed so long amongst our youth in New Zealand, i 8 now rapidly disappearing, and that there are not wanting signs that the rush of young men for the Law, or for positions in the Civil Service, Banks, Insurance Companies, for clerical work generally, is by no means as pronounced as it was. This is good news, and Bhows common sense on the part of both the lads and their parents. The Law is overdone to a degree which is, in some towns, positively ludicrous and many of the budding barristers, have we fear, little to look forward beyond a mere existence, a genteel starvation. Again in the banks and insurance companies the supply is far greater than the demand, and although certainly there are good prizes ahead for a certain few, who, after long service, gain positions of prominence and great responsibility, nevertheless there must always remain a very numerous rank and file whose remuneration, as they get on in years, is miserably inadequate to the manner, in which, by very reason of their position, they are obliged to live. We are glad that the old glamour of au ‘ office life’ is fading away, anti the attention of young men is turning towards healthy, happy, and we trust, highly profitable country pursuits. Time was when to become a country cottier meant to some extent expatriation from civilization. Neighbours were few and far between, roads were bad and mails only reached the homestead at long intervals. Of society congenial for an educated man there was little or none. But now-a-days the railway ia within easy reach ofnearly everyone, mails arrive regularly and frequently, neighbours are plentiful, churches and schools abound and social gatherings for mutual amusement are well nigh as numerous as in town, audio many cases, far more hearty, genuine and enjoyable. The gradual but sure rise in stock, owing to the development of the frozen meat trade, the magnificent future before the dairy industry, both afford guarantees that a sober, intelligent, industrious — there is the great essential —young man will be able to make a very decent living off a mederate sized area of land. Of course we do not auernpt to conteud that all our young men should adopt u farmer’s;life: for some, through weak physique or other good reasons, a life involving manual work might not be suitable. At the same time we know several cases where young men, apparently of very frail physique, have come out from England and, have, owing to the fresh air and the simple, healthv, country life, developed into fine strong fellows, much to the surprise cf their friends and themselves. Wo fancy we hear some of our readers ‘ But it takes a good deal of money to buy and stock a farm a.ud we are not in a position to do this.’ To this we would make a somewhat lengthy reply. In the first pltC-. the money is not immediately required. A lad of from 15 to 17, can, if he be intelligent and industrious, pay his own way after a preliminary six months. If after that time he cannot make enough to keep himself in clothes and put a little by, he is not worth much, nor will he ever be. The cadet idea is well nigh exploded, except in the care of big sheep farmers, who

take friends’ sons from home on to their runs. But we are not speaking of big runs but of moderate sized farms, such as are found in the Rangitikei, Manawatu and Forty Mile Bush districts. The average farmer is quite willing to pay a useful, willing young fellow a fair wage after aay six months of probation. The first wage rate may . not be high, but if he keeps his eyes open and reads, marks, learns and inwardly digests every bit of information on stock and its treatment he can get hold of, he will more surely increase his chances of earning a decent wage. After five years of such a life he ought to have saved a little, and if he takes up deferred payment or perpetual lease land and does not go in for too large a piece at first he will nob require a very great financial assistance from his parents or friends. A pair of strong arms and a steadfast determination to persevere and to succeed are no small capital in themselves and during the first three or four years of ownership he must rely upon working for others to provide money for his bush-falling and fencing. The stocking even of the smallest farm, of course means money and our friend will probably meet with a little difficulty at first, but that, providing he have the necessary grit will gradually disappear. He will have the satisfaction through all his days of bard work of knowing that he is carring out, a home for himself and assisting in making the colony progress towards that universal prosperity which all wish should be her ultimate goal.. We have roughly sketched the possibilities before a youth whose parents are only able to afford the scantiest assistance, but there are thousands of young fellows whose parents will be able to find him £3OO to £SOO to assist in fencing and stocking, the same to be secured if necessary in the usual manner. We fully believe there is a good time coming for our farmers whose ranks v»e would vastly like to see recruited largely from those classes, who too many of them, have hitherto thought only of professional or commercial careers for their sons. Let them remember that Washington said of agriculture ! ‘ Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most moble employment of man ’ and look at the land and its cultivation as a worthy means of employment for their sous* CONTEMPLATED TRIAL OF A CURE FOR FLUKE. (Australasian.) It has long since been asserted that to cure fluke in sheep ia an impossibility, and, where possible, stock are fattened and killed before the disease has advanced too far. Owing to the immense losses which have been ®ccasioned by flockowners through its ravages, there is no doubt that encouragement will be given to anyone who may succeed iu providing a reliable means of eradicating it, even if only from young stock. Mr David Middleton, of Toora, South Gippsland, has, through his son, just completed arrangements for testing a remedy which he is said to have discovered some thirteen years ago. The trials will take place in different districts in New South Wales during the latter part of the year. It is intended to have small flocks of 200 two, four, and six tooth sheep—afflicted with fluke in its middle stages depastured in a small paddock, and closely guarded under the superintendauce of judges, who Jiave bei-n appointed in the different districts. After the trial has extended over four months tin- judges vv i, decide as to the success or otherwise ol ihe cure. In the event of his discovery proving a success with those treated, Mr Middleton is to be recompensed by the owners in the district, who have signed the guarantee list, at the rate of £5 per 1000 bead of sheep they possess. II not successful alt the expense of the ir ; 'ils wi ! no bourne by him, ami i o ci*i g- nt fir.

With small flocks it was proved to Borne .- y cut that this alleged cure was successful, and it in to be hoped that the systematic steps now taken may result in fully establishing its efficiency. PONY BREEDING. There is, at the present time, an unusual interest taaeu in pony-breeding. We have introduced crosses into our ponybreeding districts from regions as wide apart as Arabia and Iceland. _ Have the Tartar ponies ever had a trial in this country ? In a contemporary (of May 29ch, 1369), a correspondent writing from China givea the following particulars of

the Chinese pony ; which Im says are obtained from Manchuria. The ponies are ‘ in appearance like a miniature Clydesdale,’ and stand from 12 hands to 13.2 hands. They are never put under cover; but stand in the open air in winter, when the thermometer falls to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. ‘To protect him against the weather he has a thick furry coat (like that of a Labrador dog) which comes off him in spring in bushels.’ There being no grass, hay, or oats in the North of China, the ponies are fed on barley straw chopped tine ; with—if in hard work— ‘ black beans, bran and maize.’ On this food they can perform extraordinary feats. One is said to have travelled 140 miles a day for five days running. Another is said to have carried an Englishman seventeen miles within the hour ‘ pacing the whole way, and never once breaking into a canter.’ The writer states he himself had a pony which carried a man weighing 12 stone 420 miles in six days. Whilst a friend (who weighed 15 stone) was carried, by his pony, 80 miles in 12 hours ; the pair rested 12 hours ; and then made the return journey in 14 hours, i.e., a journey of 160 miles was accomplished in 28 hours. For the accuracy of this the writer vouches, and goes on to say, ‘ The Tartar pony never possesses speed, but he excels in bottom any horse of his own size.’ Surely the Tartar pony must be worth a trial in Britain !

Yet he has his defects ; a Chinaman believes that a pony with a head like a mule Is to be preferred. Gelding is never performed till four years old ; and many ponies are incurably vicious. Besides bucking, kicking, and biting they have a vice peculiar to themselves, i.e., boxing. They stand on the hind legs and strike out, with the fore ones. ‘I saw one at Tientsin which was incurable. I saw him knock over an ox ; and five Chinese horse-breakers in succession who tried to break him in. They united their efforts to master the pony, and three were seriously wounded before they gave him up.’ The Chinese ponies suffer from many disorders, glanders occurring among them ; but they seem entirely free from windgalls, which are the special weakness of foreign horses taken to China. Inflammation of the eye and sandcracks are common ; but except for sandcracks the hoof of the Tartar pony is always healthy. The Chinese horsedealers know ail the tricks of their European compeers, with a few special ones of their own. ‘ Lying is not considered culpable ; they feel no shame, and only laugh good humouredly when you point out the grossest attempt at imposition/ The last statement is the most wonderful of all. ‘ The news of the taking of Nankin was sent to Pekin in three days ; the letter was carried 1200 miles by relays of carriers travelling night aud day on Tartar ponies.’—Live Stock Journal.

ABORTION IN CATTLE. A Paper read before the English Farmers’ Club by Professor J. Wortley Axe. ERGOTISM. For a long time—nay, ever since its application to human obstetrics—ergotised grain has been accorded the first place in the induction of abortion among farm animals, and it is strange after all these years we should find it necessary to discuss its possible concern with the disease. Abundant evidence is at hand of the pernicious effects of ergot on the general systom of different animals, but of its specific effects on the uterus of the cow there is but little on which reliance can be placed. Perhaps it may be desirable, before dealing with observed facts concerning ergot in relation to abortion, to consider its nature and physiological action on the animal body. Ergot is a fungoid parasite, the compact myselium or spawn of the Glaviceps Purpurea. It is found on the seed stems of many of our forage plants as a purplish black, elongated, seed-like body, with a longitudinal furrow running along the concave side. These ‘ spurs,’ as they are called, vary in s'zo according to the species of grass on which they occur, but in form and general character they much resemble each other. From the seed panicles of the plant they protrude as dark spinous projections, and givo to the heads of the grasses a dark heavy app araiice. Ergot is found in low-ljdng, badlydrained pastures, about ponds aud ditches and sheltered pkc9s, and in damp situations generally. It also occurs to a less extent on upland pastures, especially in wet seasons.

A good deal of attention has been given to the composition of ergot by Kobert and others ; and it has been fmimi that i 1 » itJili >n to a considerable quart dry • »f oil, a mm sugar, anl colouring in.v,,‘i*rs, it also contains three distinct substances, each of which appears to excite a special physiological action on the system. One induces paralysis of the spinal cord, with loss of voluntary motion ; another excites contraction of blood vtss -ls, and causes mortification or death of the tissues, as well as spasm of the uterus ; while the third produces salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and vigorous movements of the uterus. In addition to thifl special property, the active principles of ergot appear to be be capable of giving Jrise to considerable disturbance, not only of the nervous and vascular organs, but also of the digestive canal, and of producing such a commotion of the general system as to sooner or later destroy life. In France, Germany, and

other European countries, as well as America, thousands of cattle fall victims to the poisonous effects of ergot. ‘Ergotism,’ the term by which the disease is known, is recognised by groups of well-marked symptoms. The affected animals are at first dull and dispirited, the head droops, and the back is arched ; there is a flow of saliva from the mouth, attended with a sucking or smacking noise, such as is frequently heard in foot-and-mouth disease.

In some instances vesicles appear on the tongue and dental pad, Laving behind erosions and sores in the lining membrane of the mouth. Diarrhoea is a common symptom of the disease, but the more serious aspects of the malady are those which occur in connection with the limb 3. Hero stiffness and swellings of the legs and joints are followed by mortification, which attacks the feet and causes them to rot off (gangrenous ergotism), or it extends up the legs and disconnects the pastern from the shank bone, by laying open the fetlock joint, and in some instances proceeds upwards towards the knee 3 and hocks, and exposes the cannon bones. Portions of the tail, and sometimes the ears, also suffer the same destructive changes as the feet and limbs. In some outbreaks the malady assumes a different form, and is characterised by symptoms indicating serious disturbances of the nervous system, such as dizziness, stupor, loss of sight and delirium, with paralysis and convulsions (convulsive ergotism). Of the precise quantity required to bring about these fatal results we have no evidence to offer in regard to cattle, but the experiments of Tessier havd shown that in one case a pig six weeks old died at the expiration of 23 days after consuming one pound and twelve ounces of the fungus ; and another pig six months old succumbed at the expiration of sixty-nine days, during which he consumed no less than 221 b 6oz, or a daily average of over soz. From these experiments and observations it is clear that ergot possesses directly poisonous properties. Nor is this the only lesson they seem to teach, for it is also shown to be much more destructive to young than to older animals. This fact, if confirmed, would enable us to understand how it is that a quantity of ergot insufficient to produce obvious disturbance in the health of the dam, may prove destructive of the more tender life of the feetus she carries. But this conclusion is at once challenged, and by a great bulk of evi deuce.

In the history of ergotism, from the earliest times to the present, there is comparatively little evidence of the special action of ergot in the production of abortion. Dr. Fleming, iu his excellent work on ‘Animal Plagues,’ has brought together a large amount of information on the epidemics and epizootics produced by ergot in different parts of the world, but in no instance is there any special reference to abortion. In one case * sows and ewes are said to have brought forth their young with great difficulty, so that force was obliged to be used to assist them.’ But it is clear from the records of the times that abortion was not a special feature of the disease.

The following preventive measures are recommended by M. Nooard, the eminent authority on this matter : (1) If it is a question whether a place ia likely to become affected, but ia not yet so, it will be better to have small sheds or boxes to serve as quarantine stations, where the newly-purchased cows may be kept, so as not to put them in the general stable until they are lower in condition. (2) In default of a quarantine, any cow which shows signs of abortion, ought to be separated from the others directly, and the place disinfected thoroughly, as well as the drains. (3) Any cow which aborts ought to be isolated immediately and the discharge destroyed (burnt or boiled); the stable occupied by the cow, the channels or gutters, and the floor should be disinfected, and the other cows subjected to auiiseptio washings daily, as stated below. (4) In a place which has been infected for some time it is indispensable to adopt the following means : (a) Each morning the t•»i 1, anus, vvdv>', nod ih > pv in am »» should be c n--tf.nl w .shed with a sponge soaked in an an - septic solut on composed, as uniter : Diluted water (or rain water), 20 litres (1 litre —1 76 pints) ; hydrochloric acid of commerce (or spirit of salt), 1 decalitre (1 decalitre—l7-60 pints); Bi-cblorate of mercury or sublimate, 10 grammes (1 gramme—ls-43 grains). This solution should be kept in a wooden barrel and put out of the reach of animals and children. (b) Every week the floor of the house should be scraped and cleaned, and copiously watered with a solution of sulphate ofcopp?r (blue vitriol)—4o grammes to 1 litre of rain water. - These means are very simple, and only require care and patience. When there is an inf. cted stable, it must not be expected that the abortions will stop aU at once. The treatment will have no effect upon the cows which already contain the germ of abortion ; notwithstanding that these methods are being used, those animals will abort, and should be separated immediately thß signs show themselves. Afterwards they should be fattened for the butcher. During the first course of this treatment the trouble will continue ; not so badly, however, as would otherwise be

the case, for the new cows will not be contaminated, and afterwards there will not bo a single infectious abortion. Where the owners have patience, and actively follow these simple hygienic practices, enzootic abortion will disappear. They have given excellent results in Italy, Bavaria, Saxony, and England.— Agricultural Gazette. AGRICULTURAL JOTTINGS. ■ A new vegetable fibre, not much unlike fine silk when properly prepared, is com* ing to the front in speculative commercial circles. It is that of the Rhea grass (Bohmeria nivea), really one of the nettle family. It is a native of Assam, Thibet, and India. The fibre is white, exceeding fine, and eminently silk-like. Indeed in appearance it is so much like pure silk as to allow of its being mixed with the latter. to the extent of 75 per cent, and that with the advantage of strengthening the fabric. It is calculated that the mixture will reduce so-called silken goods several hundred per cent.

Professor Y. Riley, whose opportunities for observation place him amongst th© highest authorities on the subject, estimates that the loss of food crops by injurious insects alone is 41100,000,000 per annum.

The industry of sheep-breeding in New Mexico, according to an official report just published, is in a very prosperous state. Prices have lately been good,- yielding about 20 per cent on the capital invested. There is no such disease known as ‘ dry rot,’ the climate being too dry. .Prices of sheep in herds differ noticeably in different counties in New Mexico. The increase in the number of sheep in 1891 as compared with 1890 was about 50 per. cent in the eastern part of the State, but it is impossible to obtain accurate statistics from the other counties. The total amount of the wool crop is estimated at 16,000,0001 b. There is plenty of good grass and water in all the districts for sheep. The average price is for yearling wethers Idol 25c, and for older wethers 2dol 50c. —Mark Lana Express.

One of Spawn’s patent evaporators is to be erected at Napier shortly on account of a small syndicate. There is said to be an excellent market for fruit and vegetables, treated by the evaporating process.

At the annual meeting of the Nelson Fruit Growers’ Association held recently, a portion of the report referred to blights as follows :—We have in the past endeavoured to combat the insect enemies of our orchards by insecticides, and not unsuccessfully. During this period we have been the medium of communication to the fruit growers of the district, and have received and collected much valuable information, which we have disseminated amongst our members, and all who have applied. Last year, after long correspondence, two shipments of the Vedalia cardinalis, the natural enemy of the leery a, reached us, which, we are pleased to inform you, have multiplied so abundantly and worked so actively, as to have cleared Church Hill and many other places in tha neighbourhood, of the Icerya, or mimosa blight, and it has been so distributed by your membors and others, that it bids fair to clear the whole district of this unsightly and destructive pest.

The Stratford correspondent of the Hawera Star writes as follows :—As to this wasting disease —consumption, tuberculosis, scouring, or whatever you like to call it —I venture the suggestion that the increase of it is largely owing to the lowered vitality of the cattle concerned, through their having been fed in large numbers on separator milk. Early spring calves reared in that way will, no doubt, do very well, but I cannot help thinking that with those that come in later the loss must be considerable. Being, perhaps, of naturally strong constitution, they linger on for a long time, but gradually waste away and die. It would be interesting to learn whether there has been any increase of such loss in herds where the dams rear the calves themselves.

A trial of a turnip-raising machine, invented by Mr Geo. McDonald, was held on a Strath-Taieri farm recently. The machine was first tried in a field of turnips partly eaten off by cattle, and the shells were neatly cut off at the base of the roots by the scarifier, while a set of chain harrows attached shook them free from earth and left them on the surface ready for the cattle, which were not slow to take advantage of the situation. The machine was then taken to a field of drilled turnips, where it did excellent work, the turnips being left in one row while the shaws were shed aside in another. The scarifiers can be set to suit any drill from 24in and upwards, in fact they cover about 4ft in width. The shears, by means of which the topping is done, rise and fall to suit the height of the individual turnip. The tops, or the turnips out of line, are guided into the jaws of the shears by means of advanced rods or directors. After topping another rod directs the tops to one side and leaves the rsoted and topped turnips in regular order. The machine is run on three wheels, and one horse can work it in drilled crop, taking two drills at a time. In raising the shells, the ground being hard trodden, it takes two or three horse 3 to draw it. If the above report, taken

from the Mataura Ensign, be correct, Mr McDonald ought to sell a large number of his new machines.

Australian wheat-growers who fancy that the market may be over-supplied when the vast areas of suitable land in these colonies are placed under cultivation, may take heart of grace. According to Mr J. P. Sheldon’s article on-Mr Wood Davis’ pamphlet on the world’s consumption of food, erroneous notions prevail regarding the supposed limitless resources of the United States. The great ‘ arid zone ’ comprises, it is true, nearly a thousand million acres, or thirty times the area of England; and it has been said by an enthusiastic American that this suffices I to bread the world.’ But for this purpose they must be irrigated, and that appears at present to be an insurmountable difficulty. The alarming conclusion at which Mr Davis arrives is that the world will have to look elsewhere for the food which hitherto the Americans have been able to spare. In other words, it is Mr Davis’ conviction that, before the close of this century, the United States will be a food importing rather than a food exporting country. He believes in fact, that by the year 1895 the turn of the tide will already have set in.

A Mildura settler took T 42 13s 2d last season from a strawberry patch about a tenth of an acre in extent, and his 100 apricot trees averaged one case and a half of fruit each. His return was a large one, and while the prices obtained were probably twice as high as those that will rule in years to come, still a good profit would be realised at half the rates secured.

Foxes as a plague to farmers are unknown to the New Zealand farmer, but it is otherwise in England, for a home paper says :—Vulpecide is on the increase, it is stated, in the neighbourhood of Sittingbourne, Kent. A crusade has been organised by the farmers against the foxes, and many of the shepherds who have to sit up at night to guard their lambs have resorted to the use of guns.

Lady-birds, those pretty and useful little insects are, it appears, a climatic sign in England, A correspondent of the Times, writing from Tonbridge says :—lt will be within the recollection of some of your readers that the year 1870 was distinguished, amongst other things, for its quantities of lady-birds. There have been unusual quantities of lady-birds in this district during the past three weeks. This denotes (1) a good hop year, and (2) a hot summer.

The directors of the Rosebrook cheese and Butter Factory Company (Victoria) have decided to pay a dividend of 10 per cent this year. ~ The balance-sheet shows the total receipts for the half-year to be T 9363 Os 3d, while the net profit had been £753 2s Id. This shows that dairying is a very profitable venture in the colonjL

Although failures were met with in England in the use of sulphate of copper and lime for the prevention of potato disease, we (Mark Lane Express) felt constrained to persist in advocating its usefulness, and we instanced the good work done by it in France. Our opinion and experience from actual observation is borne out by Consul Pauncefote’s report to the Foreign Office on Agriculture in the Department of the Charente Inferieure, France. It states that all over France a treatment of sulphate of copper has proved efficacious. In no case, in fact, has the Consul been able to hear that the application had failed. Let us have some better trials in England, as the saying of ©yen a

portion of the potato crop of the country means ft great deal of money benefit.

At the English Royal Northern Agricultural Society’s Show two months ago there was a very interesting block test competition, in which prizes were offered for the best guesses as to the dead weight of two steers, one horned and the other polled. The dead weight of the former was 9cwt 101 b, and the 176 guesses ranged from 7 cwt 141 bto lOcwt lqr, a difference of cwt, which at 62s per cwt is equal to T 9 13s 9d. In the case of the polled beast the deadweight was 7cwt 3qr 81b, and the 173 guesses ranged from 6cwt 121 b to 9cwt lqr 111 b, a difference of 3cwt 271 b.

The following is recommended to kill lice on pigs. Sprinkle with powdered wood ashes, or rub with sulphur ointment or whale oil, or with water saturated with petroleum or kerosene, or with a solution of sulphuret of potassium or lime (four ounces to one gallon of water.)

Professor Thonger writes as follows in Farm and Field:—For hardening the skin of a horse’s shoulders and back, Chaulmoogra oil is used in the army, ard it is said to have a remarkably good effect upon horses that have been ‘wrung.’ The carter sometimes employs a readily available and inexpensive lotion that need not be mentioned here, but simple astringents like alum, sulphate of copper, and sugar of lead find most favour, and are really very efficient. An example of a hardening lotion is—alum half ounce ; blue stone, half ounce; saltpetre, quarter ounce; oil of vitriol, applied, and its effects will be materially increased by the addition of 2 cwt of salt. A word of caution with regard to the use of salt. It is only safely used on light soils; on clays it causes the surface to become crusted and always wet, and it is of no use when applied alone.

The Maori ‘ kuri ’ is a sad nuisance to New Zealand sheep farmers, but he is rarely so destructive an animal as a dog which has recently driven some North Yorkshire farmers well nigh to desperation. The Yorkshire Post of a recent date says :—For some days past a dog has been moving about from fell to fell in the neighbourhood of Dent, passing thence to ‘Whernside and Ingleborough. The brute has, it is stated, worried no fewer than 100 sheep, many of which have died. The dog attacks the head of a sheep, breaks the jugular vein, drinks the blood, and passes on to his next victim. Though scores of men armed with guns have been in pursuit, and have actually seen the dog, they have failed to bring him down, his hunting grounds being of such vast extent.

The Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association have received a cable from their Sydney office that New Zealand potatoes are worth from 60s to 62s 6d per ton. The cable also draws atf-iM.m to the necessity of shipping more carefully graded potatoes than has been done this season.

llow best to utilise skim mi k in the rearing of calves is a question to be given consideration to in these days of creameries and a coming protective duty on stock, writes the Melbourne Leader. At a dairy conference held in Ayrshire, Scotland, Mr Stephenson, the manager of a butter factory, estimated that where butter was selling at Is 41 per lb onetwelfth of the sum obtainable for the butter expended in linseed would replace the milk fat removed from the milk to produce the butter ; or, in other words, by the addition of lOoz of linseed to 1 gallon of separated milk, the feeding value of the fat taken out for butter-mak-

ing was replaced at one-twelfth the amount realised for the butter. To give the figures—Linseed contains about 34 per cent, of oil and 30 per cent, of carbohydrates, equal to 15 per cent, of fat, say 60 per cent in all, so that lOoz of linseed, costing ljd per lb, would contain soz of fat. The merits of linseed-growing for stock feeding, especially for young stock, when mixed with skim milk, have already been given prominence to in our columns, but the question is now more pertinent than before on account of the newer circumstances. One of the easiest crops to grow is linseed ; it is one of the best rotations after wheat, and it can be cheaply harvested with the stripper. SMUT IN WHEAT. Smut in wheat troubles the grower everywhere, but those in Manitoba and Queensland probably suffer the most. Like all other fungi, smut is reproduced from the spores of which it is composed ; smut produces 3mut, and it is only so produced. The proper course, therefore, is to destroy the vitality of these spores before the grain is sown. 'Various are the remedies used, with a greater or less degree of success, but the following has been found superior to all others as yet tried at the experimental farms in Manitoba and the Territories, a 3 well as by many of the best farmers in the Canadian and American Northwest:—Take one pound of bluestone or sulphate of copper, dissolve in eight or tan quarts of Water for eight bushels of wheat. Spread the wheat on the floor or in a waggon box ; with a whisk or broom sprinkle well ; then turn with the scoop and sprinkle again until every portion has been thoroughly moistened, which will use the amount of water specified. Now dry lime may be sifted cn the seed to facilitate drying. The lime judiciously used will not be lost, as it will go to the soil, where it is valuable plant food. Some farmers use a large vat where much seed is to be prepared, placing the seed in a coarse sack that will admit the water readily, and immersing it in the solution for a few minutes. This is undoubtedly the better method where circumstances will admit of its adoption. Where lime is used to absorb the moisture the seed must be thoroughly dried before u>ing, or difficulty will be experienced by the feeding apparatus of the drill becoming choked with it. The work of preparing the solution will be greatly facilitated by pulverising the crystals before attempting to dissolve them. —Mark Lane Express.