FARM NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 7

FARM NOTES.

SIPHON FOR DRAINING. There are many swamps and semi-stagnant ponds which, by reason of their being enclosed by high embankments or ledges, cannot be profitably drained by means of ordinary tile. Generally, however, such places may be cheaply and effectively drained by means of a siphon used in connection with tile, and in many instances the surplus water may be advantageously used to irrigate some less fa- ; voured spot. It is necessary first to sink a well (a) in, the lowest place in the swamp. The depth must be governed somewhat by the nature of the soil and the surroundings, but under ordinary circumstances a depth of Bft to 10ft will give the best results. Radiating from the --well, and discharging into it, should be sufficiently numerous lines of tile" (c) to thoroughly drain every part. ~ Next dig a well (c) upon the opposite side of the embankment, and to such a..depth that the bottoms of the two wells shall be upon "about the" same level.' Provide for a provide drainage from the top of the second barrel. | By means of a lead or iron pipe (b) of a .size sufficient to carry off the water as fast as it collects connect the two barrels, and i

the system is practically completed. "With a common force pump exhaust the air from the pipe, and as fast as the water accumulates in the -first -well it will draw into the second barrel, and thence it will now off in the drain provided for it. Such a drainage system, properly constructed, will last for an indefinite period, and by means of it an unsightly swamp may be converted into a fertile and productive meadow. — American Agriculturist. FAT FOR MTLOH COWS. To determine whether fat could be fed into milk, Professor Wing, of the New York Experimental Station, gave tallow to cows. When the experiment began the cows were on pasture, and were being fed 81b of grain in addition. The feeding of tallow began with 4oz a day, and was increased, until after the fourth week the daily allowance was 41b. At the end of the tenth week the tallow was dropped, and the observations' were continued two weeks longer. The week before the experiment besran the cow gave 47.21b of milk daily, with 3.5 per cent, of fat, and with an average daily yield of 1.661b of butter fat. At the end of ten weeks of this sort of feeding the yield was only 36.91b of milk a day, with a percentage of only 3 per cent, of fat. and a daily yield of 1.361b of butter fat. . The fat began to decrease from the fourth week, and Professor Wing says that in this quite extended trial there was no increase in the fat of the milk in consequence of the feeding of tallow to the cow, in addition to a liberal grain ration. Profespor Wood, at the New Hampshire Station, fed cotton-seed oil, palm oil, corn oil, and oleo oil, and found that the. fat in the milk was not permanently increased.