NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Horse Parades. Interest and pride in the cart and plough horse show no sign of diminisiiing. It is true that some breeders of the draught horse have relinquished breeding, but the men who looked ahead and could hang on during the slump in the demand knew that certain farm work and cartage in the cities necessitate the good old horse no matter what make of motor entered the lists. The fortieth annual carthorse parade, held at London on June 4, attracted an entry of 882 horses, and little wonder that Sir Walter Gilbey, the president of the Carthorse Society, said it was absurd to talk about the motor ousting the horse. At Lincoln 71 carthorses paraded, as compared with 62 last year, whilst at Liverpool nearly 1000 horses took part in the

May parade and show, nearly all of which were heavy horses. It is interesting to note that the Liverpool Corporation has a stud of nearly 400 working horses, whilst the L.M.S. Railway Company has some 360 horses employed in the city. The private railway companies of England have in the aggregate about 12,000 horses in use, principally in the cities. Government-owned railways might with advantage use more horses for their undertakings. Obviously economic reasons must lie behind their use by the privately controlled railways, which must be run on a paying basis. Start of Milk Recording.

The story of how milk recording started has been told by Mr James Mackintosh, a Scottish agriculturist. Milk recording, he explains, is to many farmers a comparatively new idea, anil although the practice has become much more popular during the last 15 years, there are still thousands of dairy farmers who consider the weighing o f the milk of individual cows in theip--herds an unnecessary and unprofitable labour. In view of this example .of the hesitation of some- dairy farmers to adopt a new idea, it is interesting to learn that in at least one dairy herd milk recording was practised over 100 years ago. Early in the nineteenth century William Harley established the Willowbank Dairy on the outskirts of Glasgow. His main object was to supply the inhabitants of the city with milk of a quality they might rely on, and by 1814 his dairy of nearly 300 cows had become famous throughout the country. Amongst the many novel points in his management, it is stated that on “ one day in every week at least (Friday was the usual day at Willowbank) it was the custom to measure the quantity of milk supplied by each cow morning and evening.” He also

used lactometers and milk tubes to determine the quality of the milk yielded by each cow, in order that the milk which produced most cream might be selected for cream raising. For the next 70 years the pioneer work of Mr Harley seems to have been entirely forgotten, but from 1880 onwards journals of the Royal Agricultural Society contain occasional 1 efei ences to milk records and to the yields given by individual cows in a few h?rus m the hands of progressive owners.

Root Crops for Pigs. "^ n X, ro °ts, if fed in too great a quantity, are apt to produce scour in the pigs, but mangels (states the Live Stock Journal) appear to possess some property, eh almost amounts to a poison, especially if they are used too soon after being clamped. When pigs are fed mangels it is best at first to give no more than t-n«. r h Pene > d H IOOt ° r ■ two a Piece, and watch whether any ill-effects are produced Roots are best fed in the whole state to pigs rather than sliced, for in tne latter torni there is sometimes danger of choking in the case of young pigs. When allowed to bite off each mouthful tor themsehes they are much less liable to try to bo.t it. To cook roots for pigs is merely wasted labour, for the value ot them (except in the case of potatoes) is not enhanced thereby. Both swedes and mangels may be said io , }’ a * ua i’i e as food, but turnips, excejit that they provide green food and therefore help to keep the animals’.digestive organs in good order, are of no great feeding value from the pig-fattening point of" view. They produce scour more readily than any’ other kind of root, and should be used very sparingly where young pigs are concerned. In any case they are not to be recommended as a daily food like mangels or swedes or potatoes. Once or twice a week may be quite often enough, especially in view of the fact that if they are given more often pigs are apt to sicken of them, and may refuse to eat them at all. Sows, however, appear to like them immensely.

Management of Mare after Foaling.

It is best for the usual attendant to see to a mare while and after foaling, as she is used to him and does not become frightened and disturbed when he goes into her box to feed her or see to the (writes F. F. Wentworth in London Farm, Field, and Fireside). After she has foaled see and test if there is any nulk in the-teats, and that it Is easily obtainable. This precaution is especially called for if the mare foals before her time, as sometimes it is found m these cases that the milk docs not c~me in for a day or two after foaling, and the foal has to be fed till there is sufficient milk for it. After she has foaled offer her some oatmeal gruel or a warm bran mash, to which may be added some malt extract, which acts as a stimulant, and is very much liked by ill horses. Should she be very’ prostrate then a pint of warm old ale answers well. After the foal is up and has sucked, remove (doing it quickly) all the soiled litter and give fresh. With the soiled litter it is best to either bury or well cover with lime, and not leave in a heap just outside the stable door. Should the mare’s hindquarters be dirty wash the parts, and also inside thighs and udder if necessary with warm water in which some boracic acid powder has been dissolved, and well dry’. Should there be a little discharge for a few days sponge over and clean the tail once or twice daily, not forgetting the udder as well. Should the udder seem hard and painful then rub in some olive oil. For a few days give the mare hay. crushed or whole corn, and mashes if necessary, and then her usual diet, which should be fairly liberal in quality and quantity. Tor two or three days after foaling be careful that the mare does not stand in a draught or in a hot, stuffy stable. At first turn the mare and foal out for a little while during the day. With young and aged mares, even though at grass during the best time of the year, an allowance of corn and dry’ food should be given daily. Many cases of stunted foals are due to the lack of corn and nourishing food to the dam and to the pasture having been used as a horse paddock for too long, so that it has been “ horse sick.” to use a common expression. Frequent changes of pasture benefit both the mare and the foal, as they’ can then choose the sweet grass which they like. See that the pasture has a tree or some shelter for them during the heat of the day, and has water available. AGRICOLA.