HERE AND THERE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16202, 27 November 1926, Page 9

HERE AND THERE

PITHY PARS FOR FARMERS.

The three of the following recipes for a daily lime wash will be found to give good results if mixed and put on under proper conditions. (1) Slake half a bushel of lime in boiling water, and keep it covered with water during the process. Then strain to remove all sediment. Add

31b of ground lice boiled in water to a. thin paste. Jib of powdered Spanish whiting and lib of clear glue melted in boiling water. Mix the whole thoroughly and allow to stand for e. couple of days. When using it, apply as hot as possible. (2) Slake half a bushel of lime in boiling water. Strain off all sediment and then add 21b of sulphate of zinc, and 111) of salt dissolved in water. Any' vegetable coloring may be added to secure the desired color.

(3) Slake half a bushel of lime in boiling water. Strain and then add 21h, of sulphate of zinc, lib of salt and 111) of whiting. Mix to the required consistency with separated milk and apply as hot as possible.

Interesting tests with fat lambs tire being carried out at the Koseworthy college, South Australia. Lambs from 20 distinct lines of breeding are being chocked to ascertain the relative value of breeds or crossbreds for the fat lamb trade. As far as the tests have gone, the details available show that the Dorset Horn ram crossed with crossbred owes (Border Leiecstermcrino) gives the greatest return of lambs, the percent-age being 98.47, as compared with the cross of the Southdown ram on the same type of ewe, which returned 98.14 lambs for every 100 ewes. The Southdown ram on pure-bred merino ewes gave the lowest percentage figures —75.5. When mated with Border Leicester rams, the pure merino ewes returned 76.33 lambs per 160, but with merino English Leicester, Lincoln, Shropshire and Dorset Horn rams the percentage was above 81.

“That, should any' attempt be made to have the tariff on agricultural implements raised, the Dominion executive be asked to oppose same,” was a remit forwarded by Southland to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. During the discussion which followed, it was pointed out that the Australian farmer can buy an Australian-made four-fur- i row plough, weighing loewt. 141 b„ for I £34 4s, while the New Zealander, with j no duty, has t o pay £43 17s 6d for the : same type of plough, weighing I-lewt. ‘ 3qrs. 1-libs. In the ease of a threefurrow disc, the New Zealander has to pay' £7 2s more for a plough 4211) lighter, whilst ou a double-furrow plough the difference is 2ewt. ,2qrs. 2111). more on an Australian plough for £4 12s less. It was decided to ask Southland to reconsider the remit, j * * * *

A common error is that of espousing a particular breed of stock without duly considering whether it is adapted to the situation of the farm. The important fact that it is not the breed of the district is overlooked or not sufficiently' regarded. The man is determined *to try a certain breed of cattle, for example, and may succeed. On the other hand, he may find when too late, if his cows begin to show svmutoms of lung trouble, that the laud is unsuitable. Another error illos'r’ting the same difficulty' is the selection of a wrong kind of sheep. There are rnanv admirable breeds of sheep, but it is noticeable that they each have their geographical limits and customary localities.

Though lambing percentages wore uniformly good throughout Otago and Southland the season has not been without its troubles. Unseasonable snow and cold Veins accounted for not a few in most districts. Renal congestion took off a good number, os-peci-

•ri’v in the Tnieri. while in North Otago some mysterious malady' attacked the young flock to such ail exten ♦hat expert help was sought from Wellington.