NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3518, 16 August 1921, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

At the annual meeting- of the Northern Wairoa Dairy Company on Butter the 6th inst. there were 600 Subsidy. farmers present. The following motion was carried unanimously: —“Tout this meeting emphatically protests against the Government not a.lowing a subsidy on butter consumed by the suppliers and their employees, although allowing a subsidy on wiiat the public consume.” This is a mild enough request in all reason, when what is wanted is the cutting out of the subsidy entirely, and allow dairy folk to get what they can for their products. Tlie price at present 2s 3d per lb to the public, the Government paying a subsidy of 3d per lb to the producers. This costs the Government probably £50,000 a month, and what good does it do after all? No one is gulled into believing that their butter is “cheap” o’.ving to the subsidy What happens is that the consumer pays 2s 3d directly for butter and that for each pound bought an additional 3d per lb is paid out of taxation. As the taxpayers find the cash, any benefits which accrue are surely only reaped by the stafF or administrating crowd of the £600,000 or so per annum which the Government pays in subsidy. If this big lot, of money was not collected and fired away in this manner the taxpayers would be so much better off. Then look at the returns which must, be compiled by the butter companies for the Government, and their cost. From every viewpoint the system is wrong and at variance with one’s ideas of being helpful to a return to normal trading conditions. Among the several diseases to which breeding sows are subject during Ailments the first few days after they oi Pigs; have produced their litter Milk-lever none is more serious or Cured. troublesome than inflainmamation of the udders and surrounding tissue. This inflammation resuits in a stoppage of the milk flow, and the condition commonly known as ‘‘milk fever’’ is originated. While discussing this subject with one of our pig farmers recently (Mr - Chas. Dawson, of Dundas), says the Farmer and Settler, Sydney, he related the method employed in tieating one of his breeding sows that had been affected. The sow was so had that she lay in the sty all day as if dead, her breathing could scarcely be noticed, and the fever was so severe that she would not even attempt to suckle her young pigs. In fact, they had apparently become tired of trying to obtain any milk from the fevered udders. “There did not appear to be much chance of saving either sow or suckers,” continued Mr Dawson, ‘until f began to treat her; she responded rapidly to the treatment however, and the cure was so effective that it is worth passing on to others, ’t he sow was treated gently and was not disturbed more than necessary. The first, thing done, of course, was to try to restore the milk flow, as the suckers were hungry and very weak, but they were all strong enough to suckle when the milk was made available. I obtained a bottle of camphorated oil, and with well-oiled hand gently massaged the udders and teats, and applied the oil freely all along the belly. This application of oil and the massaging seemed to cool and soften the udders and relieve the pain, and, after having repeated this treatment several times, it was evident that a cure was being effected, as by squeezing the teats milk could be drawn freely. In addition to the above treatment, the udders were bathed with soapy water at blood heat, for a few minutes and then massaged again. About an hour afterwards the sow was forced to take exercise. This led to her relieving herself, and thiis freeing the bladder and bowels. File was given a, light dose of Epsom salts, and was allowed to drink as much water as she desired. Tn less than 24 hours from the time treatment began the sow was suckling her litter freely, and. though it was necesasry at first to hold the weaker ones un to the teat and encurago them to drink, they soon gained strength, and wove then able to look after themselves” Mr Dawson has also tried a mixture of equal parts of olive oil and methylated spirits, and has found this a verv useful application for the udders, but advises the camphorated oil treatment for preference, as it is less trouble and not so expensive. A sick sow is a bad patient if you try to force medicine down her throat. It is far better to mix the medicine

with her food or drink and let her take it ! herself. Then, again, a sick pig loses heart, | and unless you stir her up and compel her ! to take exercise she gradually grows worse, as a result of giving in to the disease. In j cases of milk fever it is necessary, some- | times, to bottle-feed the young suckers for I a day or two if the sow is very ill. By so doing you can carry them on until the sow can take care of them again. There is a movement on foot amongst those interested in ctoeKNondescript breeding in England, having Bulls. for its object the prevention of the use of nondescript bulls by the institution of licensing regulations, such as are now in force tor stallions travelling the road. Of course, in England, as elsewhere, “scrub” bulls are far too common, with the result that there are many use.ess calves. Now, if ever, is a time when the development of cattle-breed-ing must lie attended to, and it is particularly desirable that the present standard of i out dairy herds should be improved. It may be true enough that in the case of i ordinary herds that there might not prove enough good bulls to go round, but against that it must be remembered that a realiy good bull is worth using for a longer period than the bad bull, and under some scheme of licensing fewer bulls would find their way to the butcher after a year or two’s service than there are now. In Scotland under the Scottish Board’s scheme the smaller farmers have improved the commercial cattle out of all recognition. That is due not only to the fact that premiums are restricted to bulls of registered pedigree, but bulls that have passed the tuberculin test and satisfied inspection as to their character, quality, and future promise. In reply to a correspondent, it may be explained that grease is Greasy caused by dirt, dust, grit, Heels. long exposure to damp, wet legs in stable, with draught along the floor. It occurs at the back of the pasterns and bulbs of the heels. In a stallion it may be induced by overfeeding and want of exercise, combined with a dark, dirty loose-box. Some owners are too fond of washing the legs in muddy weather, which removes the natural oil from the coat. A good rubbing with dry straw at first, and then brushing, is a better treatment. When washed occasionally the legs must l>e thoroughly dried, especially at the heels if the hair is trimmed, and rubbed with dry bran or sawdust. Greasy heel commences with red and thickened skin between the heels and fetlock joint, then little blisters form and burst and leave cracks, the hair falls out, and an offensive discharge takes place. For treatment, rest should be given at first to keep the cracks closed. A light diet, with an occasional bran-mash, in which a tablespoonful of nitre is put, is advisable. If taken early a mild astringent like vinegar is often effective in cases of grease. At a later stage of the disease the part should be washed thoroughly with warm water and soap, rinsed in a lysol solution of one dessertspoonful to a quart of water, and carefully dried. This should be done before applying any lotions or ointments. In a bad case a poultice of 11b linseed and enough boiling water to make a mash, with a 3 per cent, solution of carbolic, should be applied. Various lotions are recommended bv veterinary authorities. A saturated solution of picric acid may he applied three times a day. Another application is load acetate. !|oz ; zinc oxide, l|oz; pot. alum, 11,0/ ; glycerine. 20z.; water, 1 quart. This should be shaken and rubbed in. Zinc chloride ldr and water 6oz is a third application. which can he used morning and evening for two days. An ointment of biniodide of mercury 1 part, vaseline 5 parts, or oxide of zinc 1 part, vaseline 2 parts, mav be smeared on wadding and kept on the fetlock by moans of a calico bandage, not tied to tight,lv. This should be removed when saturated, and a fresh dressing applied after washing and drying. Tn the same way a dressing of thermofuge rnuv lie used, then the part, washed and (hied and painted with liniment iodine loz, alcohol Boz, twice a dav. A GRI CO I, A.