NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 14

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

The last month has sustained its joputat;on for line weather durig ' iambing-time. Those uck-owneis m ttie north who mbed tlicir ewes in August — - -lein ready lor tlie Iretzing cfiambcr were mcicy compared to tnoso wno nad abandonee! Ai.gi.st tor a later uate on account ot adverse experiences. In the south October is the general lambing month, and it has been exceptionally favourable this year. There were a lew showers towards the close of tnc month, but nothing to hurt, and good returns should be re-ce-vcfl. block generally are revelling in abundance ot pasture, it is a long time since me country was so comp.etcly clothed in grass as it is this year. During this monin and last the advantage of autumn cultivation, cleaning, and manuring is moro noticeable than at any other time of year, in some districts there has been considerable clitficiiity in securing that tilth desirable tor the finer . seeds- After autumn cultivation on light and medium soils the plough seldom needs to be used in preparing the ground tor drilling, the grubber, harrow, and ro.lcr being suiticient to procure the fine state of division necessary for the germination of small seeds. This year in many localities the plough and disc harrows will have to be brought into requisition, and in the stitfer son the Norwegian, harrow and cross kid roller. The richness of the ground is- not available when stored up in lumps. Mechanical subdivision has to bo obtained before a healthy growth of plants can be expected. Mangolds and carrot seeds sometimes germinate badly, especially the latter. If half the seed sown was steeped for 12 hours in water and mixed with the other half before drilling there would bo a double chance of escaping the effects of unfavourable weather. j. tie \ ellow and Orange Globe mangolds arc the best, for lato sowing.

Farmnork lor iAuTdiiibci, tl li! n H jimr U'l-i-rt ri

Potato-planting' will bo occupying -attention. "W hole sets are" more reliable in a dry season than cut seed, but with cut seed the potato is less liable to deteriorate. Spraying may be considered absolutely indispensable, Qho .effect of adding potash to the fertilisers for this crop is to increase the yield and materially assist the spray to combat the blight. Grass land to be seeded after at least two years’ grazing should now bo closed from stock.

Among the growing crops and in tho grass fields incessant warfare is necessary against weeds of - all kinds. While the opportunity lasts the horse hoe should bo constantly employed whenever the weather permits. This not only cleans the ground, but materially enlarges the crop. Periodical sowings of oats and vetches for dairy cows up till the end of February would prevent the milk from coming down with a run when the grass fails slightly. If not required it could be converted into ensilage or hay. Dairy work is now in full swing, and the pigsties ought to be filled up. Every dairyman now has the opportunity to make provision for his cattle throughout tho year. Special food is required from March to May and after tho turnips during September and part of- October. Provision for an abundant supply of clover hay is also indispensable for leading with roots and straw. Local conditions must largely determine the crops grown, but every dairyman should see that provision is ample in quantity and well balanced in kind.

Heavy sheep arc now getting a weighty fleece, and require close attention to prevent them remaining on their backs for any length o 4 time. If the weather is settled they arc safer shorn-after which they feed and thrive better. Blood-poisoning 'should be avoided bv the use of the tar brush, and dipping immediately after shearing is effective and handsomely repaid. '

Having something in the neighbourhood of 12 to 15 lons of rough feed which was not required, and knowing the difficulty of making hay under the shade of trees, the writer determined to convert it* into ensilage for winter use. Many farmers have a similar quantity in comparatively waste corners, and the experience gained will bo acceptable to them. What, was thought to be a sufficient quantity to begin with was cut with th e scythe. This covered an area of two chains square, on which there was about half a good hay crop growing. Rain came on soon after it was cut, and soaked the grass in the swathe. This was sledged into a stack, but 9ft square, and raised it 4ft high. That was left for two days, but proved insufficient to raise the temperature of the ‘■tick un to the 130 deg to 14Udcg Fahr. desired, which is necessary to Inake sweet ensilage—the kind most suitable for cows. 'The temperature of the stack was taken by means of a thermometer let down into a 2-inch galvanised iron pipe built in the stack. _ln this case it rose quickly to HOdeg, and beyond that it would not move. Another 4ft of green grass was added to the stack in the hope of raising thp temperature to the required height. The heat steadily increased during another two days to 125 deg. but it would not budge beyond that. It was decided to bo satisfied .with the slightly sour silage which would result from such a temperature. Evidently clover and rough grasses do not heat easily when led in wet. Seeing that the first bench controls the subsequent heat of the stack, it is vital to begin with a good block of green material some 6ft or Bft high. The prevailing wind does not Ityea

Knxilnge In a Small IVay.

affect the temperature, and it rises to the requisite height. It is difficult to secure the desired temperature if it is not obtained in rthe first section. The growth of grass has been so rapid this year that some of it might be saved by means of the ensilage stack. Of course, in a small stack there must necessarily be a good deal of waste; but the fodder used is not wanted at the present time and will prove acceptable during winter. When the temperature is got up to 125 deg the resulting product is only slightly acid, and differs very little from sweet green silage in composition. The proportion of fibre is greater, the sugar and carbohydrates arc much the same, but the albuminous compounds are not so strongly developed. The quantity stated viz., 12 to 15 tons-—is about the smallest that is worth converting into silage. The former would raise the stack when settled 7ft high. Even that height requires special arrangements for heading off, as the settlement is so great.

on has once more arrived, and to those who take an agricultural show seriously the occasion is full of interest. It appeals most to those who are endeavouring to improve Borne breed of stock,' whether it is the ■wool of a long-woolled sheep, the bone of a Clydesdale, or the milking capacity of a dairy cow. The occasion ot the show also forms a good outing for those who see in these meetings the progress made in stockbreeding and the prospects ahead for national security. But beyond these the show is largely suported in lighter vein by the public generally, which loves to sco a horse got up for exliibition being put through his paces in the ring, in saddle, harness, or going over the jumps in competition with others, and also by young people who regard the whole occasion as rather a jolly menagerie got up for their special benefit. The professed object of every show is the improvement of the industry in every part which it represents, and any breeder may pick up valuable points to guide him in his work by making full use of the tims at Ids disposal. The stock of one breeder is seen side by side with that of others, and judgment is given in his presence as to which of them moot nearly approaches ideal typo. His opinions are guided in this way. An opportunity is given for close comparison and a true appraisement of the stock he is using is arrived at. Ho either continues to use the animals he has been relying upon or changes them for better ones.' The peculiarities which stamp the stock bred by other exhibitors may be seen at the show, and, if approved, adopted. Time only permits of making a mental note of thvco things, but tho indication is given v here to purchase stud stock so as to s-x-aro what is wanted. Tho object of showing sit'd: is to make a reputation for them and v-vurc a pood sale for surplus stock. With this object in view condition is piled on to the animals, and no one can expect to secure a prize- who does not do likewise. T’qis is frequently overdone, and requires discounting in nearly all classes of stock. Fat covers a multitude of faults, and the animals so shown have a decided advantage over those in normal working condition. Sometimes the judge discriminates, but as a rule nothing is done to discourage this almost universal practice. But there is a good deal of justification for it. With anything—in cattle for instance — but purebred stock the aim is to produce meat of the host quality. and adapp.bi'itv to lay on fat is a desirable and commendable oharactcrisbo. Hence the inherent manifestation of this feature is desirable within limits. No animal except a healthy one can put on heavy condition without showing some weakness. While almost any onimal can lie induced to -breed by reducing its surplus condition. Another point which will engage the attention of am- one studying the stock is the constitution of the animals. This is represented in general by depth of girth ancj strong masculine head and nrck in the male, and clean-cut aristocratic head in the female, and by sufficient bone of good quality, firm flesh, and majestic carriage.

The ' eho w sea; Taking Adrantng) 0. theShon Season

As a rule reporters refrain from commenting on the difficulties which crop up in securing the in-format-on. they need and the public wants at the various meetings—the Summer Show among others, of the Agricultural and Pastoral • Society. With characteristic reticence they pass over any slip-shod arrangements made in regard to their personal treatment, and refrain from protcetmg against the manner in which this powerful organisation, whose arrangements mav bo excellent in other directions, treat the claims and convenience of journalists. Without any special pleading it may he said that societies elsewhere acknowledge valuable assistance in building up their annual fixtures from tho press. If the local society desires to give some credit where it is duo more consideration should be extended to the members of this body. What is required is tho allocation of a class steward, whose duty it shall he to bring the judge, after his section is finished, to the press room, and there invito him to state his opinion of the classes which have come under his ploso observation. Thus an authoritative statement of the various exhibits sent forward would reach the public. This would either confirm any student’s opinion or provide him with reasons for altering his views.

Provision f r I’rrss Itepresmtatire*

Thus a valuable educational clement would be introduced. It is unreasonable to expect journalists in the short time available _ for them to remain standing at the ringside half an hour or an hour at a time wasting to buttonhole the judges as soon as opportunity offers, and even then probably failing to secure his undivided attention. That op|x>rtunity should be made for them. If it was understood that part of the judge's duty was to indicate what he thought of the classes which had come under li is close observation there need be no difficulty about it. A few questions and answers in the absence of any ctudifgl statement would make the position clear. Better reports of the society’s operations would be published, and the society itself would benefit. Other centres recognise the need for an arrangement of this kind, and we hope to see some mutually rvdvantageous plan like this arranged before next Summer Show.

“The Loader oat. recently introduced by Messrs Gartons (Ltd.), seed merchants, Warrington, has given exceptionally good crops, both in Scotland and England, this season. The grain” (says the Scottish Farmer) “grows fully 6ft high. On the "trial ground last year it produced up to 20 quarters per imperial acre, which is easily accounted for, as many of the spikelets had five fully-grown grains on them. It is a medium early oat secured from crossing Waverley-Abundance with the naked oat of China. In Essex this latest introduced variety of oats has also given exceptionally good results. The Leader oat ie different from all others, inasmuch as instead of two or three grains being produced in a spikelet, as seen in Abundance and other standard types, it is common to see four or five grains hanging from This qualification, together with the fact that the heads are of enormous size, and the straw very strong and of excellent quality, must surely forecast a vield in excess of all the other varieties, and the results will, wo feel sure, be awaited with much interest by those vho have seen the trials.” This new oat looks like a valuable acquisition. The danger with these multi-grained spikelets would bo their variation in regard to size. When that is the case loss occurs from failure to dry uniformly, the larger grains are broken and the smaller escape in shelling. Very small grains are blown awav in the husks. Of course, there is nothing to prevent them being heavily dressed and sized off. and with 20 quarters per acre there is ample room for it: hut. this involves labour. If-the Messrs Garten have produced an oat yielding sp'kelets of several grains of equal, as well as large, size, thin husk and heavy meal-nrodueing capacity, thev are to bo congratulated. AGRICOLA.

The Lender OaN