NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Although many of the root crops are in a parlous stale on account cf

Farm Work for January.

blight, it is well to give attention to thinning and jntcr-cultivation. If the root

cion is threatened so early, there is an aie more reason to make ensilage unci save liay before too ripe. Sowings of suitable foodstuffs to provide a succulent bite tor cow= later on is the height of wisoom, such as oats or Cape barley alone, or with vetches, which can be fed green or made into hay. Keep the horse hoe moving between torward turnips right up till the time Jie horse has a difficulty in making his way between the rows. Spray potatoes in time. They will all be wanted —if not here, then in Australia, where Irish blight is rampant. The present month usually finds plenty of work among Canadian thistles, etc., to prevent seeding; but unless town labour will come to the rescue this job will be left. Look over all harvest machines and attend to necessary repairs. Towards the end of the month a number of paddock lambs will .be weaned, and the opportunity should be availed of to go carefully again through the ewe flock and cull cut for wool faults, ago, bad conformation, and got quit of the culls by fattening. Retain some of the best-constitutionod woolled ewe lambs to build up the flock, and don’t be tempted by exporters' high prices. Tar better to turn off your area, more wool per sheep, and have as an asset a level-looking flock rather than someone else’s rejects, and the above is a tried and successfully-proved method. After weaning the ewe flock can live “ hard,” cleaning up stubbles, etc., and be given time to recuperate before “ tupping ” time. Overhaul the rams and see to their feet. It is a good plan to dehorn all dairy calves, excepting studs and show animals. Provide plenty of clean water for pigs, and finally market nothing in fat stock markets unless prime fat.

The Royal Commission on Food Supplies in the Commonwealth of

The War and Food.

Australia have issued a report which is of interest to

us all, more particularly the passage which contains a recommendation to their Government in regard to the steps deemed necessary to increase the wheat

area:—"The feeding of Groat Britain and her Allies is of vital importance if victory is to be achieved at the end of a prolonged war. ]t is therefore strongly recommended that, unless the end of hostilities is reached before the time for planting next year's Australian crops, steps should bo taken to largely extend the area put under wheat and other crops, which, while not so suitable for export as wheat, may be used for home consumption to. relieve wheat for export. To that end Australian land-holders should bo urged and induced (their patriotism should render compulsion unnecessary) to plant largely extended areas. As a security to them, If such be needed, the British and Australia© Government, acting in consort, might engage to take up to a certair.. quantity at a maximum price of so much down to a minimum price of so much, or at the market price between. If that eo taken werei paid for by the Commonwealth Government, the financial adjustment could be made without any strain on the latter, and without actual remittance by the British Government paying interest in London on the Australian debts."

It is reported by the stock branch of the X(«\v ftnnfli Wmlos F)r*narf.-

Sheep Bot-fly.

-\c\v feoutn Wales uepartment of Agriculture that the sheep hot hy is- hccomin rr mnro \vi(l'?.nroa(L al-

mg more widespread, aithough serious loss has not yet boon reported. This fly belongs to the same order as the horse hot fly, rather larger than the common house fly, and is of an ashen colour spotted with black. It attacks sheep during warm weather, attempting to lay its eggs on the margin of the nostril. Sheep run together for protection when there is a fly about, and hold their noses to the ground. The eggs soon hatch, and the larvse crawl up thc_ nostril until they reach the small nasal sinuses, where they hang on while development takes place. During their passage up the nostril, and when they descend to change into the pupal form, they give rise to much discomfort and pain. While developing, as a rule, they do not seem to cause much annoyance, though -at times a discharge is noticed, accompanied by dullness and stupor. Preventive measures may be employed whore only a few sheep are __ involved, such as stud flocks. The 'oesfc means seems to be to smear the nostrils with a mixture of tar or oil of tar and lard, which must bo repeated about every 10 clays. An American method is to uso narrow salt troughs and smear the edges with tar, so that the sheep will get tar on their nostrils whenever they take the salt. In England 2in auger-holes are bored in a log. salt is placed in the holes, and the surface of the log is smeared with tar, so that the sheep get a dressing of tar every time they go to the salt. For treatment snuff, solutions of salt, vinegar, tobacco, or weak solutions of turpentine are introduced high up the nostril by moans of a feather, to hill the larvae or procure their expulsion by sneezing. If this is not successful valuable sheep may bo operated on by trephining the bones of the face between the front of the eye and the median line of the face. When an opening is made the sinus should bo syringed out freely with tepid water until the parasites are washed out.

Tho Veterinary Review has a note in rc- " .crard to deafness in horses.

Deafness in Horses.

bv • Mr Abraham Groen, M.R.C.V.S., Dudley. He savs; u I was called some

distance out of my own district to examine a horse in dispute. Subject, bay gold seven years old. to all appearanr.es good lc°*s and feet; wind and eyesight ell ngnt. I had him ridden and driven Ho went well, answered to the hit, and bar perfect manners. As T could find nothing vrong, I had him put m the stable to stand for a time, suspecting, perhaps. a slight shivorcr or stringhalt. On viewing him ouietly and asking him to turn over in the stall 1 found he took not the slightest notice On further testing him. discovered ho was as deaf as a post. It then struck me how easily a practitioner should be forgiven in not detecting a case of this kind when examining horses for soundness, or in examining an animal like this one to ail appearances perfect. ISIot once in a thousand times would it strike a veterinary surgeon to test for the Win^ G „ TCOLA>