AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 10

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS

(Continued from page 7.) In May last in a case adjudicated upon by the magistrates at the Guildhall Police Court, London, the defendant, a Norwich cattle dealer, was fined LSO and 3gs costs for sending four pieces of diseased beef to the London market intending it to be sold for human food . It was stateil that the defendant being afraid that a cow that was suffering from milk fever, after calving, would die, had her killed, dressed, and sent to market. An inspector stated that the flesh of an animal ■whic'a had suffered from milk fever would be mest poisonous and dangerous food. Commenting on the case, the Lancet, the well-known medical journal, cleai'ly points out the distinction to bo made between an attack of puerperal or milk fever, also known as septiciemia or bloodpoisoning ; and one of parturient apoplexy — dropping after calving — without any but slight premonitory symptoms. Cowkeepers in the colony would do well to note the difference in character of the main dies. The Lancet in reference to the case at Guildhall says: — "The punishment in tlr's case was well merited, wo feel assured, if the evidence perfectly demonstrated that the animal was suffering from real milk fever when it was slaughtered. But if it was affected with what is often wrongly designated v, il': fever, even by professional people, then the decision to inflict such a heavy line, or any fine et all, was unjustified ; for it should be remembered that two very different disorders are only too frequently included in the designation. Puerperal, or milk fever, which in the cow is nothing more nor less than septic metritis (blood poisoning), undoubtedly renders the animals flesh unfit for food ; but another somewhat frequent disorder following parturition, and which only too often receives the same names, is marked by loss of consciousness at an early stage and symptoms of cerebral apoplexy. In this, however, there is no fever or indication of septicx-mia, but merely brain congestion or hemorrhage, and the temperature is either normal or subnormal, while in milk fever the temperature ranges high, and there are the other signs of blood poisoning. The latter is usually nam id ' puerperal fever' and the former 'parturient apoplexy' by veterinary surgeons, and the distinction should be rigidly observed, as in the first the use of the flesh as food should be prohibited, but in the the case of the second it may be allowed, provided the carcase is accompanied by a certificate from a competent authority stating that the animal was only suffering from parturient apoplexy, and had not received any noxious drugs. This course would prevent fraud on the one hand and injustice on the other." The United Farmers' Agency Company held its first annual meeting at Invercargill on Saturday last. The turn over for the 12 months was shown to be L 70.000, the net profits for the year amounting to LBBO 14s Id. By the company's agreement with Mitchell, White and Co., the amount — after payment to the shareholders of 7 per cent, on their paid up capital — goes towards payment of that firm's account for goodwill. Up to the present time over 1000 shares had been disposed of, being distributed among 250 shareholders, who were, with about half a dozen exceptions, farmeis all over Southland. The opinion of the shareholders present was pretty unanimously expressed to the effect that it was desirable to terminate the existing arrangement for payment of the first three years' profits of the company to Messrs Mitchell, White and Co., in terms of the provision to that effect in clause two of the agreement, in order that the company may be conducted on strictly co-operative principles, and a motion to that effect was carried. Farmers in localities suitable for growing barley will be interested to learn that there will be a considerably enhanced local demand for that cereal Ibis year, as a company is being formed under the title of the Otago Malting Company, having for its object malting on an extensive scale. The capital is to be LIO, OOO in LI shares, of which 4500 shares are offered to the public. It is estimated that 30,000 bushels of malt can be produced annually, the profit on which at 9d per bushel would give a dividend of 12 per cent, per annum. Mr Murray Aston is the broker. There is (says the Press) now on view at the office of the Canterbury Seed Company, Cathedral square, a very ingenious and useful invention in the thape of Islip's combined sheep knife and earmarker. Jt is worked by a spring, and comprises an ordinary pair of earmarkers with knives attached. The earmarker is fitted to receive a die, which is detachable, so that any owner can put in the die representing his own earmark. Country visitors and those interested in pastoral matters are invited to inspect the in£j [s pretty well known in the Tokomainro district, M#- Jajjiep Scanlan's farms are carefully worked, and with good results— both in the matter of cropping and p^turage. That gentleman informs us that after experimenting with various artificial manures he is now de* cidedly of opinion that for the general run of ground in the Tokomairiro plain, nothing excels good liming and a plentiful supply of farm yard manure. Though this season has been an unfavourable one here for turnip growing, eight of the bwede variety picked at random from one of his fields weighed lewe. The after effects of a distinct cross in the first impregnation are (writes •' Bruni "in the Australasian) well known to stock' bi-eed.esrc, apd gome very curious instances are recorded of all our domestic animals. With sheep, owing to tbqr numbers and to the way they are kept,

these effects of a first impregnation are not generally noticed, but there is every reason to believe that they occur as frequently as in other varieties of our domestic animals. By most breeders of experience, the reappearance of the type of a first cross in future produce are not considered purebred, even though both sire and dam are pure. Mr Joseph Maclr, of Berry Bank, has given me an instance of the effect of a strong contrast (it cannot bp called a cross) in the first impregnation. Mr Mack says: — "In 1890 I put some maiden stud ewes to a Vermont ram. In 1891 I put these ewts to a smooth-necked station ram named Ballarat, and, as well as I can judge, all the ewes that had lambs by the Vermoat ram last year have the same sort this. There is no mistaking them ; this year's lambs have as dei.se wool and as many wrinkles as those of last year. As the ewes were kept about three miles from the other stud bhesp, there could be no mistake in the mrentage of second year's lambs." The most striking instance of this effect of a cross in the first impregnation is given in Pringle's Live Stock cf fie Farm, and is to the following effect: — "Dr H?rvcy, on the authority of Mr M'Combie, stated that six very superior black- faced horned ewe? were tupped, some of them by a Leicester and others by a Southdown ram. Next year the same ewes were put to a very fine pure blackfaced horned ram of the same breed as the ewes themselves, and the lambs thus begotten were all without exception polled and brownish in

the face. The same thing occurred in the year following, the ram used being another of their own breed." Thus we see the influence of a cross in the first impregnation is sufficiently powerful to overcome the prepotency of an ancient and pure breer 1 . An instance has been given lately .in the American papers in which it is stated that the effect of a first extreme cross on a boar was noticeable in all the animals afterwards got by him when put to females of his own breed.

The extraordinary mortality which annually occurs' amongst sheep and lambs throughout Australia owing to the ravages of worms is (says the Leader) a most serious m.\tter for flock owners, and measures calculated to check th? disease are urgently required. It is pleasing to find that the New 'South Wales Government intends doing something towards solving the problem of. how to deal with the worm disease, and to that end have invoked the aid of Dr Cobb, the pathologist of the Depirtmenfc of Ajriculture. This gentleman has already given the subject some attention, and as soon as a properly fitted laboratory is provided he will devote a considerable portion of his time to the study of worms that attack sheep. Obtaining a thorough knowledge of the life history of any •worm pest has almost invariably resulted in practical remedies being discovered. Inquiry will first be directed by Dr Cobb towards gaining a complete knowledge of the different microtcopic organisms that occur oji forage plants,

as it is thought that amongst these ma} r be found the earlier stages of the worms parasitic in bheep and other stock. Herbage ot many different kinds w ill be collected from various localities, and the organisms on them examined one by one with reference to their connection with the sheep parasites. If this study leads up to the discovery of simple and effective remedial measures a most valuable boon will be conferred upon stock owners generally, and DrCobb will be deserving of substantial recognition for his services. Researches of this kind will necessarily extend over a considerable period, but if success is achieved, the time will be well spent and immense future losses will be prevented. Inquiries conducted in the exhaustive manner proposed must result in a great increase of the present knowledge relating to the parasites, and may have an important bearing upon the future of sheep husbandry in Australia.

It is reported in the Dairy Gazette that the number of margarine factories in Denmark has considerably increased from March 1890 to March 1891. The quantity produced was : — 1888-1889, 10,606cwt; 1889-1890, 31,307cv.t; 1890-1891, 51,360cwt. The manufacture of this article advances with giant strides. The contemns of butter fat varied, in 12 factories, from 0 to 2 per cent. ; for two smaller factories, from 6to 7 per cent. The exports of margarine to England and Norway were very small, the attempt having failed on account of the pale colouring of the margarine as compared with other wares. On the other hand, the imports from Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands were considerable, having amounted during last year to 10,402cwt. The number of cases in which dealers had violated the Margarine Act were, in 1888, 176; in 1889, 81; in 1890, 36. There are three inspectors appointed by the State to watch the manufacture of this article, and to report to the Minister of the Interior.

Receut tests made under the auspices of the Royal Philosophical Society with a single barley stalk unfolded wonders which but few have ever thought even possible. By steeping and watering that one plant with saltpetre dissolved in rain water they managed to produce 249 stalks and over 18,000 grains.

The Australasian says that the Victorian Government have determined on the amount of the bonus to be given on butter exported to London during the forthcoming season. It has decided that butter realising from lOd to Is per lb should receive a bonus of Id per lb, and that bringing Is and upwards one of l£d. After this year the Government will not grant any bonus. Jn borne comments on the adulteration of manures a writer in the Leader says :—": — " What is wanted is the initiation of a custom which would provide for a guaranteed standard of constituents in each kind of manure, so that an analysis could be made, and if any of the ingredients were found wanting the manufacturer could be mulcted in damages, as well as exposed for dishonest dealing If ngiieultural societies or farmers' clubs would undeitake work of this kind their sphere of usefulness would bo considerably enlarged, as they could deal with all matters relating to the adulteration of feeding stuffs, seeds, &c., and also devote some much needed attention to the opening up of markets for produce, and a score of other subjects intimately associated with the progress and prosperity of farming." The Queensland Government, with a wow of fostering the export trade in meat, wrote last month to America to procure the services of some gentleman competent to deal with the slaughtering and preparing and packing of meat in all its branches for the market, to act as instructor in the latest methods as carried on in Chicago. The gentleman whose services have been obtained has not 3'et been formally appointed, but he will be attachfd to the Agricultural department, and when he assumes office he will travel about among the various meat-preserving works, giving instructions in much the same way as the manager ot a travelling ddiiy. The main desire is to benefit by the experience gained by the great meat packing and preserving establishments in America.

Under the heading "It's All Up With tbe Clydesdales," "Bruni" has the following rather lugubrious note in the Australasian :—": — " I spent an hour or two at Messrs Campbell and Sons' annual horse parade in the Sydney ro.id mark«-t List Tuesday. No eatbei-iug I have attended for along time" reminded me more of a fumril; faces were so serious, and everything so dull and spiritless. The very horses on parade seemed to have forgotten the w.ty to kick up their heeb. A very old frequenter of this popular horse maiket informed me that no one could have believed such a change would have come over the horscbrccding industry in this country as has occurred within the last few years. 'It's all up with Clydesdales,' he said mournfully. 'In former years horses were forward here from all parts of the country, but now we have only a few present, and the most of these are not as good as they should be.' These sentiments very fairly reflect the state of the Clydesdale interest in Victoria at this time. Breeders complain that

they are losing money, and buyers, who are also apparently getting fewer every year, are far more critical and hard to please than formerly. At one time in the history of the colony any brute with plenty of hair on his legs could be sold for a Clydesdale. Now the millers and brewers in Melbourne, who are the besbbuyefsof heavy draught horses, will hardly look at a fashionably-bred Clydesdale with rough, hairy legs. The farmers themselves have also, to a large extent, grown tired of that type of animal ; and when to these changes of fashion or opinion is added the prevailing scarcity of mone3 r , it is no wonder that the trade is reported dull. However, those who have courage and strength to weather the depression, and unswervingly maintain the purity and character of their studs, will no doubt come out right in the end."

In an article on ensilage, a writer in the Leader says: — "Any kind of green stuff, no matter what it is, that is nutritious and contains a certain amount of fibro will make ensilage that will keep perfectly sound and good for years, and will be available as a stand-by in a bad season if it is not required for regular feeding. But if the dairying industry is to be run on commercial lines, it will be required for regular feeding in order that the supply of milk may be kept up all the year round, and the factories constantly employed, instead of, as now, idle at the very time of year when butter-making is most profitable. Everyone who has had practical experience of ensilage has become enthusiastic in its praise, and state they would never think of doing without it now. When it comes into general use nothing will be heard of losses of stock during the winter months through starvation."

A public field trial of a stump-jumping plough, made by T. Robinson and Co. (Limited), of Melbourne, was held on July 27 (reports the Warrackuabeal Herald), on the farm of Messrs E. Ladd and Sons. The laud operated upon was chopped mallee, which subjects a plough to the most severe test possible, aud in this the work was done neatly and with unusual ease to the horses (an ordinary team of six). There were a good number of representative farmers of the district present, who expressed' themselves as being highly satisfied both with the plough and with the work done. The jumping was performed cleanly, aud the share re-entered the ground very quickly after the obstruction was passed over, and this with evident ease on the horses' shoulders, which is of great importance. The depth of ploughing was the usual number of inches in a very tough soil. The plough is constructed of steel, and the entire framework very short and handy, its lifting and steeling appliances being mosi complete. The draught is very light cousidet ing the work done, chiefly the result of the improved share, desigued for this plough and the special set of the mouldboards, both of which give a good finish to the work.

Victorian butter factories are suffering from dishonesty on the part of milk suppliers. The Leader says that iv the Euroa factory alone about L2OO has been paid for water and skim milk. Several offtnders were summoned and heavily fined for their dishonesty, but this failed to check the evil, and the greatest vigilance has to be exercised, milk samples being frequently tested and analysed, this involving Considerable < xpense. Recently three cases were heard together at the Police Court, the analyst's evidence bring to the effect that the whole of the milk samples were deficient in butter fats — in two instances 17 and 20 per cent, respectively be-low the minimum standard. The defeuee was that the milk was delivered at the factory in as pure a state as when drawn from the cow, and the defendants were given tbe benefit of the doubt, and the eases discharged.

(> Thistledown " writes as follows in the Australasian ;—"; — " In passing a farm homohtead the other day, where a bunch of fhicj calves were rollicking in a yard, I thought it would 1 o well to inquire of the tuvni r how he m waged to keep them in such splendid condition. Most of the neigbbouro' calves, I observed, were miserable, sickly -looking creatures, apparently on the verge of starvation. The farmer refeircd to uses a oream separator, aud ho persisted in stating that he sent all li's cream to the factory. "The calves get none of it." hi romaike.d, "but, fur all tha.t, I don't ne^-1 cfc to put soniething tx'ra in the skim milk " Hi went into the suhj.-ct iully, and argued very correctly that any calf th.it was ■>tuntcd in growth in its youth C'lUld never become a profitable milch cow. The way he feeds his calves, I subsequently learned, is this : Fur the fi st few days a little sweet milk is allowed, which is gradually decrea>ed, aud at thtj end of that time they are fed soluly on skim milk and linseed jelly. To each, gallon of skim milk a quart of the boiled linseed i« added. In their rack, which is under a comfortable shelter shed, a few bheaves of green oaten hay are placed daily. On this diet, and protection from the rain and cold, the calves seem to thrive admirably. The yard is cleaned out frequently, and duated with

fresh dry earth. The calves arc; not allowed to eat grass before they arc from six to eight months old. Af(er that ago they are turned out gradually to good pasture and weaned, and they generally grow into strong, well developed heifers before the flush of grass is over for the season. Calves reared in this way, if properly bred, never fail to become good and profitable cows.

A Mastertcn coachbuilder was unpacking some American ash the other day, which ho had stowed away for over 12 months, when he discjveied a number of codliu moths in the heart of the timber. The moths were alivo and kicking, and no sooner wore they released from their imprisonment than they fkw off — probably to the nearest apple orchard.

A correspondent of the Irish Rirmers' Gazette who has had long experience in determining the quality of Luther, has recently had an opportunity of examiniug a samiile'of butter that arrived in London by steamer from New Zealand a few days previously, and he writes of it : — " I was quite astonished to find very fine quality fresh grass butter, with tho creamy aroma of best newly-made factory butter." Our readers (says the Gazette) have been made aware from time to time of successful shipments of fresh butter from Australia, and there can be no doubt as these importations from the Antipodes develop they will seriously affect tho Home market.

Experiments in rape culture have for some time been carried on by Professor Shaw at tho Ontario Agricultural College experimental station, Canada, with a view of demonstrating its adaptability for several purposes. It has been tried as a pasture, a catch crop, a soiling crop, a green manure and a cleaning crop, and in each case the report speaks of its value in fcenns of tho highest i>raise. Rape is found to thrive splendidly in a variety of soils, the most suitable being fairly moist, free working loams, rich in organic matter. Black loams, owing to the large amount of humus they contain, are well adapted for rape cultivation, and the crop is an excellent one to sow on well drained swampland. It will not grow well on stiff clays, poor sands, or any kind of soil deficient in plant food. The experience gaiucd at tho Ontario experimental station is that flat cultivation in drills has given somewhat bitter results from the rape crop than ridge cultivation, and that larger crops can be obtained when the seed is sown in drills than broadcast. "When rye, grown as a fodder crop, has preceded tho rape tho same season, Professor Shaw states that from 10 to 16 lambs per acre can be pastured for two and a half months. . When grown on Ivnd that had not been cropped previously the same season, all conditions being favourable, it was found that 36 head of lambs could be kept on an ace, and the average monthly gain in weight made by the animals was 10.201b. There is a certain amount of danger attached to pasturing stock on rape, aud some precautions have to be observed. Cattle and sheep should not be turned on fco rape when hungry, lest they eat too freely of it, aud on frosty mornings they should be kept off until the sun gains some power. The principal conclusions arrived at iv connection with the experiments are that rape is specially valuable as a pasture for fattening sheep aud lambs, owing to its high feeding value and the season at which it grows ; that ordinary grade latnb3 pastured on rape alone will m.ike an average gain of 101b per month ; that it is admirably adapted for growing as a catch crop to be fed off or ploughed under as a green manure ; that as a cleaning crop it is probably without a rival in our present system of agriculture ; that much care and prudence must bo c-xercised in pasturing aiiiimls on raj c, or serious losses may follow ; and that it is not an exhaustive crop on the soil when pas-tured off, as what has been taken away from the cultivable area is returned to it with interest through the medium of the animals. — Leader.