Are Experts Baffled In Bearing Trouble Problem?

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18503, 15 September 1934, Page 13

Are Experts Baffled In Bearing Trouble Problem?

COME Gisborne farmers believe that experts are baffled regarding the cause of bearing trouble. The exports, critics consider, arc without the practical experience and observation necessary to overcome this trouble, which in some seasons has been the cause of much mortality among the lambing ewes. In a recent address, it was stated that, one of the main causes of bearing was that the ewe became in too fat a condition during the autumn, and in using up this fat during the winter months the muscles holding the abdomen in place became so weak that they were unable to withstand the pressure from within when lambing time approached. It has also been maintained that the ewes should be exercised prior to lambing.

Farmers who criticise the views of the experts do not deny that this may be one of the contributory causes, but they believe- that the investigation into the matter has not proceeded far enough, and that, much njore must be known of the trouble before really satisfactory preventive measures can be adopted.

Tihe experience of some farmers this year, it is contended, appears to defeat the arguments regarding fattiness and exercise. Bearing trouble in the Gisborne district this year seems to be much less than during the past few seasons, and many farmers are nnabjlc to advance a reason for this. “I have given my ewes exactly the same treatment this year;” remarked onp farmer, “and tljey nave been on exactly the same pasture, and I have had practically no beating trouble this time —only about two ewes in the whole flock. Last year I had a lot of them down with it.”

The farmer mentioned has a big flock. Ho does not ridicule the attempts of the experts as some men do, but believes that t his season ’s experience has upset preconceive! theories and that further research, combined with sound practical experience, is required before tljo exact cause is defined.

Difficult.

A woman walked into a certain store and asked for a package ot Limburger cheese. She was not satisfied to buy sight unseen, so the grocer unwrapped it for her to sniff. “It doesn’t smell as strong as the kind I used to get,” she complained. “Well, madam,” drawled the proprietor, “it’s hard' to distinguish the ,odor nowadays with business so rotten.” The Eesult. v A nervous-looking old lady got in a lift at the top of a. very high building. Presently it began to descend rapidly. “I say, young man,” she said hoarsely to the snnb-r.osed lift-boy, “what would happen if this lift should drop to the bottom?” •|he boy turned quite pale at the. idea. “Gee, ma’am,” he exclaimed', “I’d l.oso my job 1”