NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Elsewhere in this issue of the Otago Witness some extracts trom an

Stomach and Lung Worms in Sheep.

interesting- article on " Worms in Sheep " appear. Some further information is hers given in the same con-

nection. Consideration of the life-history of these parasites shows that they are taken in by the sheep in an embryonic form when * feeding, and. although they can survive the effects of dryness and cold, yet a fairly warm and moist condition of the climate is most favourable to their development and increase. Then, too, the embryo will not live for an indefinite time awaiting the arrival of a proper host; consequently the continued -absence of such a host will eventually lead to the extension of the parasite. Mr _S. T. D. Symon, M.R.C.V.S.. chief veterinarian, New South Wales, referring 'to stomach worm, says ithat, although this pest is one of the most troublesome, it is also probably the easiest to deal with. The arsenic drench, as recommended by the Stock Branch, is prepared by taking arsenic loz and carbonate of soda 2oz. Boil in about a quart of water until dissolved. Pour off the clear liquid: bury any sediment which may remain, and make up the liquid to 3 gallons with water. The dose of this_ drench for a grown sheep is 2oz; for a six-month lamb, loz; and for a nine-month, This gives a dose of two grains of arsenic to a grown sheep, with a decrease for young sheep according to their age. Other drenches recommended are:—(l) Oil and turpentine, two parts of the former to one of the latter, 3oz of the mixture bein°j given to a grown sheep. This is a good drench, but is irritating, and is liable to cause choking. (2) Copper sulphate and mustard (copper sulphate, 2 drachmsf mustard 2 drachms; water, 2 pints); dose, 2oz.' (3) Creosote. 2drachms; water, 2 pints: dose, 2oz. The sheep should be drenched either standing naturally on all four legs, with the head slightly raised, or sitting on their haunches. The head should not be forced too far back, nor the drench given too hurriedly, or choking may result. The following lick is also rccommendea:—Sul-

phatc of iron, 1 part; bono meal or calcium phosphate, 5 parts; and Liverpool salt, 30 parts. Coming 'to lung worm, two methods of treatment —intratracheal injections and fumigation with fumes of sulphur—are used, but both are attended by a certain amount of danger. He does not consider that any drench will be found efficacious for lung worm, but is convinced that the only satisfactory method of combating the trouble on large flocks lies in prevention. On small areas, however, the following steps are recommended : —(1) The draining or fencing 'off of ewampy lands. (2) 'I he watering of sheep from troughs rather than from mud-holes. (3} An occasional burning off of the pastures, whereby many embryos would be destroyed. (4) The continual provision of a suitable salt-lick. (5) The soelling of paddocks known to be badly infested—that is to say, for a time fheep should be removed from these paddocks and cattle or horses grazed thereon; or. better still, they should be put under cultivation. Two years should elapse from the time eheep are taken off until they are put on again, and sheep should be thoroughly drenched before being put on to such country.

According to the Pastoral Review a feature

Revival in Cattle liaising In Queensland.

of the stock mduetry in Queensland of recent date has been the revival in the cattle-raising industry, and

comcidently tho decline in the sheep industry, or, at any rate, a failure to progress. The reasons for the renaissance in cattle-raising various. Partly it is due to the improved piiccs for cattle, and the possibility that cattle are likely to be good value for many years to come. In some districts the operations of native dogs and the failure of the Queensland Government to cope with the pest, have caused the stock-owners to attempt to escape severe lossoe by giving over sheep country 'to cattle. Then the labour trouble that is inseparable from sheep is also a factor, the recent award and the manner in which some men in the industry flouted its provisions, and demanded higher rates, having led to many employers deciding to do with as little labour as possible—and less labour is required in handling cattle than sheep. Anyhow, it is quite apparent that increased areas are going under cattle in Queensland, and this fact is reflected in tho larg« number of importations of highgrade bulls introduced from herds in the southern States, showing 'that the breeders are determined to raise the best class of stock.

Labour is the problem that is making

Another Use for The Bull.

many dairymen wonder where they .will come out next year. Has i't. occurred to many dairymen that the

herd sire is more prolific and less vicious if he is given a job earning his feed? Tho sire is probahly the most powerful animal on the farm, and should _ be required to do productive labour with that power. Treadmills have been found 'to be the economical means of utilising this power. The washing, churning, pumping, grinding feed, and milking may be done economically by utilising the surplus energy of the sire. If allowed to walk on the treadmill at the rate of two miles per hour, it has been found that animals of the following weights generate horse-power as follows: Weight of Horse- Weight of Horseanimal, power. animal. power. 8001 b 1.07 1,6001 b 2.13 I,ooolb 1.33 2,0001 b 2.66 1,2001 b 1.60 The front end of the tread should be 20in or 24in higher than the rear. A number of dairymen in Connecticut are using tread-power for milking machines, and they are well satisfied, because it is cheap, and the sire is healthy and "clever."— K. B. M., Connecticut College of Agriculture.

During the recent conference in Sydney of State Premiers, qppor-

Cattlc Values and Beef Prices.

tunity was' taken (says the Australian Meat Trade Journal) to ascertain the

opinion of some of those present in regard to the present price of meat, State butcher shons, etc. Apparently some queer ideas are~b.atcb.ed out in the warmer, dimes. One is not surnrised to learn that tne Premier of West Australia considered State butcher shops were an absolute failure, and in hw State had to be closed down by reason of the heavy loss sustained. But read the following. A Treasurer speaks:— Mr Theodore (the State Treasurer of Queensland) not only supported the principle of State butcher shops, but claimed that in his State they had made a profit of £7OOO. Keferring to the price of cattle and the consequent price of beef, he said: There is nothing to warrant 'the price of cattle being raised Values should be the same tq-day as they were before the war. Grass is no higher in price, and that is what the cattle are fattened on. The only extra charge is a small increase in wages; but as the cattle stations in Queensland employ, at most only a few white men, the extra, cost is negligible. At 'the time the war broke out fat cattle were selling at 22s 6d per 1001 b and it was considered a magnificent price. After the outbreak of war, a pastoralist stated in Parliament that the pastoralists in Queensland were willing to dispose of the whole of their stock on a h.)s : s of 25s per 1001 b. That was considered an absolutely record price. Conditions have not altered.' " .„,„*v\t a AGRICOLA.