SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2996, 16 August 1911, Page 19

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Although we are only in the middle of August, there is a surprisingly good spring in the grass; and fortunate, indeed, it is so, as turnips have fed off very indifferently in the majority of oases, with the result that not a few farmers find themselves short of turnips. This is not looked upon with any degree of apprehension, as practically every grazier has unbounded faith in the remainder of the winter and spring being as mild as the few months of the former season, which we have now left in our wake. It is to be hoped that their confidence will not be misplaced, as many stock will receive a severe check if bad weather should -be experienced. Taken altogether, stock have come through the winter exceptionally well, and with the early spring in the grass, which seems the natural sequel of a mild winter, sheep will bo shorn in excellent condition. The scarcity of fat cattle still continues, and during the week which closed on Saturday Dunedin butchers were operating privately in the Waimahaka and Portrose districts, with the result that close on 200 head of fat bullocks have changed hands. Most of these lines have been sold for spread delivery, and will go forward to their destination in three and four truck lots. Forward bullocks are also in keen demand, especially anything that is large-framed, and that will turn off fat before the end of the year. Many farmers have their ground disced and ready for sowing, so that immediately there is a week of . drying weather the drills will be drawn from the sheds. The autumn-sown crops are coming away well, and in some instances they are being fed down, which, of course, serves a double purpose. No blemish is more frequently in evidence on farm-reared horses than barb-wire cuts, and the question naturally arises whether the suffering to the animal and the loss to the owner could be averted. The blemishes wo see do not represent the total. Every farmer can recall oases in 'which the animal was so badly injured that it bad to be destroyed. And it is often the best colts that are injured in this way. A dull, slow colt is lose likely to make sudden breaks than a spirited, and, therefore, is loss likely to get injury. Horses that from infancy have been familiar with barb wire get to know that it hurts, and soon learn to steer clear of the place where it is found. Little rubs against barbs have the natural tendency to make the colts, more careful, and

The Weather and Ihs Farm.

Horces anil Barb IVire.

wo all know that a horse has naturally a good memory. The great risk is when a oolt breaks bounds and runs against a wire on /a strange farm. If it is noted and bunted off the place by the dogs of a cross-grained farmer, that little outbreak of the oolt may most likely end in lifelong damage. One way to induce caution in a too reckless oolt is to fasten to the topmost wire strips of tin or rag, which attract the attention of the oolt, and so help to rouse its suspicion. If there are already horses in the field these will keep the newcomers on the alert to avoid the danger. Perhaps the beet antidote of all to barb wire wounds is to put a smooth wire as the top strand, and at the same time drive the colts round the field, and so familiarise them with the position. of the fence. The question as to what is the most prolific cause of corns in the foot of the horse is at once plain to the students of blood circulation. All portions of the' circulating organs operate perfectly if kept in proper condition. The foot of the horse is different from that of any other animal, as all its operations are confined inside of a hidden structure (the hoof), without any division or assistance to break the concussion, excepting that which is provided by the plantar cushion (the frog), which, in nearly all cases, is made inoperative by the ordinary method of shoeing. The parent of all foot evils is contraction, and the prolific cause of corns is the want of good, intelligent foot-grow-ing, to keep these members of the horse anatomy in a true normal condition, so that the blood will be allowed to circulate properly. Corns are what may be properly called ruptured capillaries. Climatic conditions play an important part in expansion and contraction, and the greatest danger is after this latter form sets m, particularly if it is not carefully looked after. It is not necessary to bruise a foot in order to cause a corn, as want of circulation is sufficient to that end. A lack of circulation sets up an inflammation, and this depriving the foot structure of its necessary nourishment, the result is a corn in that part of the foot which is subject to intense weight and concussion. The inside heel being more in the centre of gravity, compels it to take a greater weight, and there being constantly present a superabundance of homy tissues, the heels it is that are prone to the disease, likewise to contraction and atrophy. There are different other reasons for corn®, which every scientific horseshoer knows, but those are of slight importance compared with the cause adduced through the process of inflammation. Horses are not so liable to choking as cattle, because they at first masticate their food more thoroughly. _ Sometimes choking is induced by giving the horse a hard physio ball. A horse whicly is choking exhibits distress, thrusts out his head, bends and stretches his neck in a peculiar manner, and there is generally a copious flow of saliva from the mouth, while there is _ restlessness, and if water, food, or medicine be given, it is returned by the nostrils. In many cages there is distention of the gullet on the left side of the neck if the obstructing substance has descended far. If it be in the upper part of the gullet, a man who is accustomed to administer balls may be able to reach the obstruction with his hand, antd so remove it, if it is solid; if it is lower down, it may be moved upwards bv gently manipulating it outside the neck. Whether the offending body be a solid mass or a quantity of dry food which has become impacted in the gullet, frequent drinks of water_ can do no harm, and a good drink of olive oil may be of great service. A man who understands something of the anatomy of the mouth and neck may employ the flexible handle of a long whip-, or a piece of stout rope, as a probing by which to push the substance down into the stomach ; but this is risky in inexperienced hands, and when the simple measures fail the veterinary surgeon should he sent for without delay. Young horses, when first put to hard work very often suffer from sore shoulders and saddle-galls. In nine oases out of ten these sores are the result of badlv-fitting harness, though in some oases they arise from a constitutional “softness” of the shin of the animal. In all coses in which horses, young or old, are found liable to suffer from these sores th-ev should be regularly dressed either with a decoction of tannin or oak bark, or with a lotion made up of loz qf powdered alum, and Idr of sulphuric acid to a quart of water. Excellent results are also obtained from the use of a dressing consisting of sulphate of zinc Idr, sugar of lead 2dr, water 15oz. In nine cases out of ten the first thing to be done in dealing with cases of sore shoulders or saddle-galls is to remove the cause bv relieving the pressure of such portion, of the harness as may be causing the trouble.

Corns in tho Horse.

Cliokinpr in Horses.

Prevention of Sore Shoulders.