NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4038, 4 August 1931, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Superphosphate in Stables. The use of superphosphate in stables may well be considered. Overseas authorities have recently recommended superphosphate as an absorbent, deodorant, and conserve! - of nitrogen in stables. The scattering of super in the stalls and gutters of horse stables and cow sheds has for its objects the removal of objectionable odours and the absorption and fixing of ammonia in the manure. Anyone accustomed to enter a horse stable in the early morning is familiar with the pungent odour which assails his nostrils—proof that valuable ammonia is being lost by volatilisation. The use of superphosphate for the purpose mentioned is very rational, as this particular fertiliser contains a considerable proportion of gypsum (hydrated sulphate of lime). It is a well-known agricultural fact that gypsum in a finely divided state is specially adapted as a preservative agent of the fertilising principles of farmyard manure (says the Inspector of Fertilisers, Mr J. A. Bruce, in the Journal of Agriculture. Superphosphate should not only prevent the loss of ammonia, but also add phosphoric acid plant food, in which farmyard manure is somewhat deficient. The ammoniation of superphosphate is a

process recently introduced by the fertiliser industry, whereby ammonia liquor is added to and absorbed by superphosphate, which fixes the ammonia (or nitrogen) in a chemical compound. The same principle is held to apply to the use of superphosphate as an ammonia absorbent in stables.

The use of finely ground raw rock phosphate has its advocates for use in the stable, and as practiced abroad has proved very satisfactory indeed.

Farm Work for August. The harrowing of grass paddocks after the recent rains at once suggests itself as helpful work in order to scatter all droppings. All fences and gateways should be attended to, and the former made stock-proof, while, of course, the clearing up of all paddocks, the sorting of water courses, and the carting in of all necessary farm material should be given immediate attention, as the serious work of cultivation will soon be in hand. If any feeding off of cereal crops is possible, be sure to avoid keeping the sheep on too long. Once the knots are visible there is a danger of sheep eating portion of the immature ears. All burning of tussocky gullies should.be finished ere this is in print. If fhis is left until next month the risk of burning the tussock completely is probable. Ewes in lamb bn roots should have dry camping ground at night, and should be given hay or similar foodstuff. A salt lick is invaluable for all stock. Attend to the hoggets, as their teeth are now changing, and they- cannot thrive on hard turnips. Feed ail ewes with lambs at foot in a generous manner in order to keep up the milk supply, and see that every wet ewe on the farm “ nurses ’’ a lamb. .Mother one of the twins on to her if necessary. A few hurdles thatched with straw, lacking other shelter, should be provided for any sick ewes in rough weather.

Feed all working horses something extra, also the weaned foals and old workers. The pigs and all milking cows

must be kept warm. Any ewe not in lamb should be marked, and if not a two-tooth should be fattened off. No ewe flock, however good, can afford to carry boarders. '“A lamb per year per ewe ” should be the slogan. Early potatoes may be best obtained by putting the ripe tubers in shallow boxes, and then placing them in the light, and planting them when the sprouts have toughened. It is suggested that the saving of seeds of such plants as onions, parsnips, or mangels from good specimens may be attempted with some advantage. Three Hundred Thousand Horses. Those British M.P.’s who have lately been questioning Ministers about the fate of horses exported from England will be interested to learn that, according to Reuter’s Paris correspondent, there is au increasing demand for horse-meat in Paris, and that in the whole of France the consumption has risen to 300,000 head a year, but that there is a big drop in imports (states the London Meat Trades Journal). This growing demand, coupled with the shortage of supplies, is responsible for the high prices now ruling in the French capital for this commodity, according to M. Barrat, president of the Horse Butchers’ Syndicate. Not only is horsemeat gaining in favour among families of limited income, but it is in constant demand by Hospitals for the treatment

of certain cases, and while present slaughterings reach 300 head daily, it is estimated that double that quantity could be disposed of. Consumption in France has risen from 250,000 to 300,000 head per annum between 1925 and 1928, and M. Barrat declares that animals fetch 7d a lb live weight. The shortage is partly due to falling off of imports, attributed to the steady increase in import duties. These have been steadily rising since shortly after the war, when carcasses were admitted duty free in consequence of the campaign in England, on humanitarian grounds, against the export of live animals. The duty is now 175 francs per 100 kilograms, and imports have dropped from 3,900,000 kilograms in 1927 to 168,000 in the 13 months ended October, 1929.

Healing Sore Shoulders. Some farmers who have pushed their horses a little too hard ploughing and discing, or who neglected to keep the collars clean and well fitted, may now be confronted with the problem of repairing the damage. It is difficult to effect healing of sore shoulders and at the same time continue horses in heavy work. It has been done, but not by many, and in these cases only those who gave very careful attention to cleanliness, properly fitted collars, and effective healing preparations. Taking affected horses out of the harness for a few days is the beginning of successful treatment. Keeping the shoulders, clean is essential. The use of strong antiseptics is to be avoided. Good healing ointments are to be advised. When the horse is returnd to the harness one should make sure that the collar fits properly. Thereafter the bearing surfaces of the collar should be made clean and smooth several times daily. A veterinarian says that a solution prepared from 20 grains of either sugar of lead or zinc sulphate in one ounce of water is advised in treating the affected parts. The words of a correspondent are worthy of consideration : “ Prevention is,

of course, better than remedies in regard to horses’ shoulders, but it is often hard to prevent- a horse’s shoulders from scalding when he is put to hard work after a period of idleness, A good practice is to wash the shoulders down with strong salty water in the evening when the horse conies in from work. This hatdens up the shoulders and washes off the sweat, which would otherwise adhere to the skin. If the shoulders do get sore often ‘gall cures’ will be of great benefit. However, if the sores give considerable trouble, or if lumps arise, it is a good plan to take an ordinary sack, fold it in half lengthways, so that it will fit under the collar, and then cut out a hole in the bag directly over the sore. This done, take some horsehair and pad all round the sides of the hole, and stitch it in. Then you will have a bag so padded that when placed under the collar it will prevent the collar touching the sore. With this treatment the horse is enabled to work in comfort, and the sore heals rapidly ” AGRICOLA.