SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 20

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Otto Ow» Correspondent.) Tho week which closed on Saturday has been a particularly busy one with Southland farmers. The weather, which showed a marked improvement on Saturday of last week, remained beautifully fine throughout tho week. From a grain-growers' point of view the one feature lacking was wind. The result was that the drying process was comparatively slow. Of course,, this only applied to crop in the stook. From Saturday morning up to Friday night there was nothing to interfore with cutting operations, unless it was the heavy dews overnight, which delayed the commencement for an hour or two in the morning. The weather reminded one of what graingiowers used to experience 25 years ago, when the back delivery was in vogue. In those days harvesting was about as late as it is this year, and a notable feature ot the weather was the absence of wind. On Sunday numerous binders were to bo seen at work, and in a few cases stacking was in progress, although it is difficult to imagine that the stuff was in a fit condition to lead in. But a great deal of crop will be stacked this year in more or less bad condition. All over the district one sees areas of oats still as green as grass, and unless favoured by exceptional weather thero seems little hope of much of it being preserved. Potato-digging has not yet cornmenoed, as farmers are yet too busy with harvesting. There seems little doubt, however, but that the yield will prove to be the lightest recorded for years. A couple of months ago I ventured to predict that there would be practically no potatoes available for sale outside the province, and I sree no reason for altering that opinion. On the other hand, some of those farmers who have threshed their oats have had to supplement their orders for sacks, which is a healthy sign. Most crops are we 1 headed, and tho grain being well failed, heavy yields were naturally expected.

The Weather and the Farm.

wo can determine the age of a horse by the teeth it is necessary that we havo a general understanding cf the form and structure of the teeth. The horse has two sets, the temporary and the permanent. Ihe temporary teeth of both upper and lower laws begin to fall out at about the age of three years—first the two centre Incisors of the lower and upper jaws, the next adjoining one on each, side comes out at about lour, and the corner incisors fall out at live. Now the permanent teeth fill these places as fast as thev become vacant. These permanent teeth'in the crown have a depression in the crow'i F.bout iin in depth. Ihe teelh wear off with a certain rate or regularity l-12in per year; therefore the two middle lower teeth should be worn smooth at the ngo of six years, the next two at the age of seven, and the lower corner ones at the age of eight. The upper incisors aro six lines deep, and therefore the upper two middle incisors would be worn off smooth at the age of nine, the next adjoining ono at 10, and the upper ones at the age of 12 After the ago of 12 there is no certain ride that will apply.

Determining the Age of a Horse.

Grease is the outcome in some instances of filthy irritation, the result of neglect; consequently it is frequently seen among horses belonging to the idle or neglectful man. In some cases it appears to bo of a constitutional nature, and then it yields only to treatment directed to improving the constitution in general. Irritating discharges, such as urine, watery dung, etc., are the exciting causes. As a preventive never allow the limbs to stand in decomposing excreta ; the fetlocks should be thoroughly dried after washing. Treatment : First of all it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse the diseased parts, for winch purpose about one tablespoonful of bleaching powder may be added to a pailful of tepid water. Jeyes' fluid can bo used in the same wry. ' It is generally necessary to repeat this bath several times before the greasy or offensive, matter is entirelygot rid of. Get some wood-wool wadding (which has great absorbent powers), and then saturate a pad of tow with the following liniment:—Creosote, loz; methylated spirits of wine, 60/.. Apply the pad of tow thus saturated, cover the whole- with a layer of wood-wool, and fasten on with a moderately tight bandage. If there are any suppurating sores, and the part is offensive, put on a large, hot linseed poultice, dusting the surface of the poultice with a layer of finely-powdered charcoal. This poultice will generally improve matters. Afterwards dress the eores with a lotion composed of one part zinc chloride (butter of zinc), one part of spirits of wine, and nine parts of water. Apply with a pad of tow and a bandage. Continue this treatment until improvement takes place. In simple cases of grease the following powder will bo found to answer all ordinary purposes: —Powdered sugar of lead 1 drachm, powdered boracic acid 2 drachms, kaolin powder 4oz. Mix and dust over the moist parts of the leg twice daily,

t.'rensj HielK.

after cleansing in the bath previously mentioned. A saturated solution of bluestone (sulphate of copper) is a fairly good application for indolent grease. For internal treatment of constitutional grease, get one teaspoonful of Fowler's solution of arsenic, mixed with the animal's food or water night and morning. Continue this for a month, and then give half a physic ball and half a. diuretic (staling) ball combined. In three or four days begin with Fowler's solution of arsenic, leaving off as before, and returning to it again until the disease is cured. The disease is not generally regarded as contagious.

This is undoubtedly an awkward job. The best way fco givo a pig physic is to tie a cord round its upper jaw and snout, and taking the end over a door or beam, or through a ring sufficiently high to raise tho head without pulling the animal off its forelegs. Tho horn containing the drench is placed on one side of the mouth and gently tilted, so that the flu)d flows slowly into the mouth as the animal swallows. This operation requires a deal of patience, as the pig always hangs back, and generally squeals for a considerable time after being caught, and generally he will make a spring suddenly, and a rush, which increases the danger of choking.

Hott to Drc-uch a Vlg.