NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3468, 31 August 1920, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

All cereals intended to be harvested should be sown before this month, runs out —if for forage, later on will answer well enough. We can do with all the grain farmers can plant, and nO fear of lack of labour in the future should compel acres to be sown down in grass unduly early. All land out of roots should be ploughed as soon as may be and sown in oats or other cereal. The harrowing and perhaps rolling of autumn-sown grain crops may be worth while, and so encourage a healthy and vigorous growth of the young plants. The harrowing of farm grass areas, especially in those paddocks where droppings have accumulated, is well worth attending to, while liming and top-dressing of weak pasture places will "tend to promote clovers and spring grasses. Linseed may be sown this month in clean ground, while the cross-ploughing and grubbing of land which has been lying up all winter will suggest themselves as seasonable work once the furrows are fairly dry. Land intended for lucerne should be thoroughly cleaned, and allowed to warm a little ere seeding. Early potatoes may be planted any day once' the ground is dry enough and follow up this operation by sowing mangolds. Stock from now on require the closest attention, the breeding animals being continually, overlooked. Lambing ewes should have, what swedes there may be left, and also the hoggets, but the latter should get the roots fed to them cut or broken in some way, owing to possible temporary absence of teeth. - See that old horses and young foals have something extra in the wav of feed, while common sense will suggest the wisdom of feeding the milkers all they can eat. Keep the calves thriving, and see that they get their milk warm. Straw the pigs thoroughly well, and they will return full measure. Give the ewes with twin lambs the pick of the fed on the farm, and don’t let them lbs© their lamb flesh. you do not intend to make a job of the twins, it is better to be content with singles ; otherwise it not infrequently happens that this fats are sold off and the short-sighted breeder is left with poorly-developed lambs to replace the older ewes of the flock. Failing to first mark oft so many ewe lambs of just the right sort of wool to build up the flock, results in less wool being sold off per sheep per year —surely a silly business

Ono cannot lav down definite rules which will work out satisfactorily with all animals —such, for example, as the training _of a bull to lead with a ring in nose or the best way to attach the leader or staff to their rings. Some men will do it by harsh measures, others through a system of rewards, while others could never make a successful job of it no matter how they went about it. Indeed, training of the right kind would seem to depend on “horse sense” and an understanding of the ways of cattle. More lives are_ lost perhaps through carelessness in handling bulls than one imagines. Naturally the bull should be handled when young, and early learn that being led is preliminary to coming into the barn for feed or water. Possibly teaching the lull to put his head through the stahehion for feed and allowing it to be closed will prove the simplest method of getting him* He should early realise that leading by the staff does not necessarily mean pain to him; but none the less he should “never be given the opportunity of feeling that he js his own master There is always more or less danger in handling bulls, however, but no doubt some owners have’ an infallible system. The writer would be pleased to hear of- it.

Training the Bull.

Potatoes grown year after vear on the same farm will deteriorate in productiveness, eto. A change of-seed from preferably a colder district is generally recognised as essential in successful notato-growing every third year. _ln securing a change of seed one requires that the tubers should be shapely, true to type and obtained from vigorous stock tree from disease. The use of too small seed iS not usually a remunerative practice. m ® attempt should bo made to obtain seed of a uniform size, avoiding abnormally largo or verv small seed. Potatoes, say, dressed over liin riddle are suitable for seed. Large seed should be cj.it a few days previous to planting, two eyes._ or at most three being left in each portion. The cut surfaces should be dusted with air-slaked lime to prevent undue not easy perhaps to obtain; but it is found that seed selected from a crop before the tubers are fully ripe will give far better results to that seletced from a mature crop Of course, nremature digging may not be at all feasible; but it is possible _ to mark a number of the good-yielding immature nlants and save tbe tubers tnerefrom for'seed; or a portion of a crop might bs harvested a little earlier for the special purpose of saving seed.

Seed Potatoes.

In the summer flies are particularly troublesome to dairy cows, which means financial loss to the owners. A contented cow will always produce more milk than a discontnted one. It is not even" so-called fly-repellent that is.effective —the flies thrive on some of them._ There are some, however, guaranteed effective, and cheap Here is one recommended by the Utah Agricultural College: Che pound of common laundry soap, four gallons of warm water, one gallon of crude petroleum, and 4oz of powdered naphthalin. Shave the soap into the warm water and stir until it is thoroughly dissolved. Put the naphthalin into the crude pstroleum, and stir it likewise until it is dissolved. Then pour the soap and water into the petroleum and naphthalin and mix thoroughly. Apply the solution with a brush to the parts of the

A' Fly Repellent.

cow's body which are attacked by flies. This solution has been used and found economical, effective, and durable by many farmers—according to the Breeders' Gazette. AGRICOLA

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. By Ageicola.

"Farmer," Chatton, writes to say that his five horses have been bad with colds for a. month, running at the nose, and they have bad coughs. What is the best thing to give them?— "Agrioola" replies: _'.'Probably no treatment will prove effective at once : it depends a lot upon the nursing. Keep the animals extra coyer, etc. —and give in damped feed, at night. 2 drachms of chlorate of potash. If possible, something might be done, by steaming, but this depends on aptitude for horse doctoring and on what conveniences you have at home. A bucket of chaff and bran, a teaspoonful of eucalyptus, and some boiling water stirred up" together, the lot —bucket and all—to be placed in a sack, and horse may be treated. Keep animals warm. Relief may be afforded by applying embrocation to throat, 6 to." "Farmer," Fortrose, writes: "We have a yearling calf which has the off side of cheek very much swollen. It has been for about three months. The hair is coming of the swollen part a little now. The teeth are quite sound. Saliva came from the mouth when it was- being fed. It was reared on sweet milk. Could you suggest a remedy?"—"Aglicola" replies: Suspect actinomycosis—a notifiable disease. Suggest you call in the local stock inspector- who will determine same, and authorise half payment if trouble is as suspected.". "Numerous," Limehills, asks a few questions: "(1) The Quantity of linseed to sow per acre. (2) Dep'th to sow. (3) Manure to use. (4) Is the lint straw suitable for the top of a straw shed? (5) When to sow the seed. (6) Is basic superphosphate comoosed of two of lime to one of super? (7) Would tares and ryecorn grow on newly broken up peat soil? (8) If sown after early soft turnips are eaten off, when would it be nt to use and what would it be most suitable tor ! (9) Would 2cwt of the following manure suit for tares and ryecorn:—Equal quantities of lime superphosphate, and Uhristmas Island" guano? (10) Is it advisable to sow white clover on the top of the ground and not covered when sowing down a paddock' (11) Would red clover grow if sown broadcast on lea paddocks ?»-"Agricola replies: (I) A bushel (2) Quarter to half an inch. 3) Suoerohosphate. (4). Can mgspt many better." (5) Early in October. (6) No- about 15 slaked lime to 85 superphosphate. (7) "Yes (8) Deoend* when early turnip are fed off; good feed-for cows, etc, »9) Better.than nothing, but far better to lime your acres and later, mg ™™-J° use suoer or other fertiliser (Iff No. (II) Impossible to determine with confidence. In any case a wasteful procedure and better to mix seed with soil and give it a chance. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. In his annual report, presented to Parliament last week (wires our Wellington correspondent), the Minister of Agriculture said a notewdrthv feature of the year had been the exceptionally rrirh averaare v ie ld of wheat in the principal grain-growing districts -which vialded wh*t misrht »r-h- - record. The oat yield also was good, and the potato crop in the South Island was, heavy. The wool, meat, nnd dairy produce industries had prospered under Imperial control. The wool clip was somewhat deficient in weight and quality. Cbeesemaking bad again expanded and butter-making had decreased. The position created by the an ding of the commandeer r\equ''red careful handling. There was srood reason'to anticipate that the Imperial Government would agree to nrovide shipping soace for r»rivately-owried meat in ooninaction with its own stock 3. It was estimated that not more and nossihly less than 3 O00j)00 enrcasea would be in store when the new season opened, while shipping prospects were satisfactory. There had been heavy fruit crop's, and next year it was Our Wellington correspondent wires that Mr T. K. Sidey is drawing attention to the inadequate provision that exists for ferry steamer passengers who take the first express from Ohristchurch to obtain breakfast, and for those who take the second express from Dunedin to obtain tea. He suggests reinstating a dining car to run as far south as Ashburton to meet tho convenience of such passengers. An outline of the experimental work at Present being carried on to determine the best means of dealing with the blowfly pest Is given in the current number of "Science and Industry." The work done by Professor Harvey Johnston and Miss Bancroft suggests that a "biological control" over

the pest may be established by the agency of the Chalcid parasites, of the blowfly. Experiments with regards" to dips and dressings are also being carried out. It is estimated that in Queensland alone sheepowners lose £1,000,000 a year owing to the I ravages of blowflies. I Thirty-eight sheds, representing nearly half a million sheep, have started shearing . operations in New South Wales on the 48 hours a. week basis. The majority of the owners of these stations are not members of the Sheepownexs' Association. The following trophies will be competed for at the Canterbury A. and P. shows:— Silver challenge cup, to be called the W. B. Cunningham Challenge Cup, for the best Shorthorn cow, the rules to be on the lines of those of the. John Deans Challenge Shield; challenge cup, offered by Mr D. W. Westenra (president), tor champion harness horse, the cup to be won three times before becoming the property of the winner; challenge cup, offered by Mr D. W. Westenra, for champion Fresian bull, to be won three times before becoming the property of the winner; silver shield, valued at ±/'3 3s, to be won outright, offered by the New Zealand Shorthorn" Cattle Breeders' Association for the best Shorthorn bull, such bull to be entered in the New Zealand Shorthorn Herd Book; sum 0f.21g5,, offered by the Canterbury Committee of the New Zealand Friesian Association, to be allotted for special prizes at the November show; sum of £lO, offered by Mrs D. W. Westenra, for best three or four-year-old horse, likely to make a hunter; to be led, must be by a thoroughbred sire. Several applications have been received by the Victorian Department of Agriculture to plant areas of tobacco in the Indigo Valley, Murray River ? and Chiltern districts. Mr Temple Smith states. that there are 1000 acres well suited for tobacco in these districts. There is another 1000 acres at Barombogie, and the combined yield from such areas should reach a value of £200,000 a-year. ■ The benefits of co-operation in concerns having to do with farmers' requirements are strikingly evident from a perusal of the balance sheet of the Farmers' Co-opera-tive Auctioneering Co., Ltd. The annual meeting was held recently in Hamilton, Mr J. Barugh presiding. The company commenced operations some 13 or 14 years ago, and has forged rapidly ahead, being the first of its kind to make a success of co-operation in the North. Island in dealing with farmers' requisites. Last year they had a turnover of £2.828,645, an excess of £679,211 over that of the previous year. Tho net profit for the year amounted to £41,952 19s lid, which-enabled the company to pay 6 per cent, on preference share ,: capital,, 8 per cent, on ordinary share capital; and a special bonus of 5 per cent, to members of the permanent staff, with a maximum of £25, the balance being carried forward. Besides this, discounts and allowances to ihe amount of £22,425 6a 2d have been paid or credited to shareholders' accounts —a meritorious year's work. Certainly the- progress made by this company of recent years may be ascribed to the capacity and vision of its directors and manager, together, of course, with the loyalty of producers in the Wai- . kato and Bay of Plenty districts.. The movement to make the company the "universal provider" for farmers will, we trust, gather momentum and ultimately benefit al' interested in the progress of the district. It may < be a surprise to some to learn that housing regulations apply to pigs as well as to people. In the' Magistrate's Court at Otahuhu last week a man was fined £lO on a charge of failing to provide pig* with proper shelter. A large number of cases of abortion among dairy herds have occurred in the Levin districts during the past few weeks, as many as 18 cases occurring on one farm and nine • on another. There have ; also been some fatal cases as the result of the diseaso known as "red water." Lambing is fairlv general throughout the district (says ihe Mataura Ensign). A local f..—np-r nlaims a record up to date. In hi 3 flock five ewes, have already lambed, each producing twins. "I mav be pessimistic on this subject, but I think we are tending towards soil exhaust'on in New Zealand, a condition which has caused farmers in other countries to abandon their land," said Mr R j T. Alexander, director- of Lincoln ColWe ' in a lecture to farmers on Saturday. He : added that often" when son succeeded father on the same land and did 1 not do so well, it was said he was not tho farmer his father was. Quite the reverse might be the case, Mr Alexander said, for the father might have squeezed the land like a sponnro and left nothing but a collapsed soil for his son to work. A fairly well attended meeting of the Waitahuna. branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Monday evening last. The most important matter under consideration was the granting of a license to Armour and Co. as formerly held by them, but lately refused bv the Minister of Agriculture. The consensus of opinion i was that the same company had been trad-

ing for a number of years without anyevil results, also the coming season was one in which unrestricted conditions should prevail in the frozen meat trade j the license being a yearly one was considered sufficient safeguard against the Armour Company assuming anything in the shape of- a monoply in the meat trade throughout the dominion. It was pointed out that some of the opposition to the granting of a license was from a source directly interested in freezing plants, and these were anxious that their own interests- should be safeguarded, without due consideration being given to the producer. Regarding Armour and Co. buying f.0.b.; from the producers point of view, the meeting favoured a direct buying license. There being no evidence that the methods of the American companies are detrimental to the producers' interest, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:—"That this branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union favours the granting of a yearly license to Armour and Co., as applied for." Mr Jos. Crane (president) was appointed delegate to attend a conference to be held at Balclutha in connection with the above matter. The arrangement whereby local mills were enabled to select such wool as they required prior to valuation, at the Imperial Government rates, plus the cost of valuation, has been continued up to the average quantity of wool used by each woollen mill during the previous two years (says the report of the Department of Imperial Government Supplies). For any wool purchased in excess of the average for the years ending October 31, 1918, and October 31, 1919, the local woollen mills are .required to ---r-* an additional price, repre senting half the net average margin between appraised values in New Zealand, plus charges and London sale values. There are about 170 dairy factories throughout Taranaki, and. at the present time about 14 are making butter. The rest are making cheese, and there is a prospect of others deciding to do so. . The farmers of Palmerston district, to the number of 25, "met in the County Office on Thursday afternoon with the object of reviving the local branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr R. Cameron occupied the chair, and introduced Mr J. O. Browne,, organiser for the. Otago Provincial Council, who. explained the aims and objects of the union, and made an earnest appeal to farmers to take a livelier interest in their union. Those present, with the exception of three who are members in _ other districts, having signified their intention of joining the union, it was decided to reform this branch. Mr A. Fleming was elected president, and a committee representing the various districts was set up to canvass for members... The subscription wa3 fixed at £1 per annum, and it is estimated that- the number of members should reach at least 50. Mr Browne also explained the principles of the Otago Farmers' Mutual Fire and Accident Association, and urged upon those present to take advantage of the benefits of their own institution. At the close of his address Mr Browne was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.