The Farmstead.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 30, 10 November 1900, Page 6

The Farmstead.

NOTES. An American farming paper gives this as an example of some questions received :— u Deer sur, our cow has gone dry, dou you think we could sell her for dride beaf ? if so whear P” * * * The South Australian reformatory is gradually becoming revenue-pro-ducing. During last year produce to the value of £276 19s 3d was sold for cash, as against £IBB Ifs lOd received during the preceding year, while the total value of the produce raised was £727 7s lOd. * * * The steamer Norfolk lately took from Sydney 900 head of fowls and turkeys for South African ports. The Gulf of Taranto took another 400 head for the Cape. Supplies of poultry continue barely sufficient for local requirements, consequently prices are readily sustained at a level that precludes export buyers operating to the full extent of their orders. * * ■ * When double yolk eggs are found among those collected, it is considered a cause for congratulation, the hens are supposed to have performed extra work. But the fact is that double yolk eggs indicate that the hens are too fat. The eggs are really abnormal, and it will be but a short time before the hens will cease laying; hence, while a few extra large eggs will be obtained for a short time, the result will be none at all later on. As soon as the hens begin to lay double yolk eggs shut off the grain, and reduce the food so as to bring them into more favourable condition for laying. * * * At the fortnightly stock sale at the Junction yards on Tuesday values for fat cattle were well maintained, prices ranging from £lO 15s for prime bullocks, to £8 10s to £5 for cows and heifers. Fat sheep sold at from 23s to 18s for best wethers ; fat ewes 21s 6d for best to 18s 4d for medium quality. * * * The Canterbury show entries form records in sheep, cattle, horses, pigs and industrial exhibits ; the total entries are 4390, against 3850 last year. J * * * Messrs J, A, Mitchell and Co. report that on Saturday they had a good entry as far as numbers went, but in the draught class, with seven or eight exceptions, the quality was from ordinary to inferior; a fair sprinkling of the light horses forward being above the average. All told, there were 69 entries, and draughts sold at £35 10s, £36, £3llos, and £3O 10s for useful sorts ; inferior, down to £1; hacks and light harness horses, £2O to £ls for good serviceable animals ; lighter, £lO to £5. * * * The Minister for Justice has in hand a scheme for employing prisoners in planting barren areas in various parts of the colony. The idea is to select a number of short sentenced men who have a record for good behaviour and employ them for the remainder of their term in forestry work. A trial of the system will be made at Rotorua, where there is a large area of land which has been found suitable for tree-planting. * * A line of prime bullocks from Glasgow Farm lately changed hands at Dunedin at the highly satisfactory price to the seller of £l2 per head. * * * The principal cause of feather eating is idleness. When hens have nothing to do they are morally certain to get into mischief of some sort. Busy hens never contract evil habits. If hens once become addicted to feather pulling or egg eating it is a difficult matter to stop them by any other means than removing their beads ; however, if they are valuable birds, lightly brush their feathers over two or three nights a week, after they are gone to roost, with any bitter fluid, such as can be made by

putting a few quassia chips in water, or finely powdered aloes in whisky. But prevention is far better than cure. Make them work for their food by scattering it in straw not less than 6 inches deep. Do not do this in the evening alone, but every time they are fed. If they are confined to a small yard, give them a little pulped green bone or a few scraps of meat twice a week, and a few raw potatoes, or even potato parings chopped to the size of grains of corn. Never fill your hens full of food in the early morning. A full hen is like a full tramp ; her wants are satisfied, and she won’t do anything but 101 l about until she is hungry again. Make her work for her breakfast, and she will be healthier and happier for it.