Rural Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 19036, 2 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

Rural Notes.

During the -.last fifty years attempts have been made- from time to time, in different parts of the world, «to supplant tHo hand' milking of cowa by mechanical means. Many machines for this purpose have been brought before the dairy faarmer, but from one defect and another they have in turn been- laid aside as useless. While being exhibited they seemed perfection itself, and when they were tested they gave every satisfaction. But when placed on the farm and allowed to take their chance in the hands of all kinds of workmen, their reign of usefulness was usually short.

The chief defect in most of the earlier milking machines was that they milked by suction. It was soon discovered that they damaged the udder, because it was not always possible to stop the suction immediately after the udder was emptied. The udder being empty and the sucking process continued, tho minute blood vessels inside the udder were frequently ruptured, and blood flowed from the teats instead of milk. This was all that was needed to condemn them.

Machines of modern make are so constructed that the suction stops automatically as soon as the udder is- emptied of its contents. The worst defect of these machines is that the teat cup frequently falls off long before the milking is^ finished. These and other troublesome defects have damaged the reputations of several modern machines.

Every dairying country in the world has tried to solve the problem oi milking by machinery, and lf,Z., being a dairying country, has now comeforward to 'make her attempt. We shall see later on how far she succeeds.

The writer had an opportunity of svifcnessing the N.Z. machine at work the other day, and, although it is only in the form of a "rough, model, it gave good results". It is ingeniously constructed, being) light, simple, harmless to the cow, &nd at the same time it is cheap- His not exactly perfect, being rather slow in action ; this defect, however, is ea*y of remedy. Wo wish it every success for the sake of the inventor and for the sftl'e of dairy farmers generally.

The subject of ragwort and Winton disease is being discussed from Auckland to Uivercargill, and many 1 . 1 ," and varied opinions are being expressed. It has been suggested fro,m more than one quarter that the Farmers' Union should investigate the whole matter. This is being done- And at the same time Mr Gilrtrth and his officers are doing what they can to help the farmer out of his trouble. But what is the farmer himself doing ?

It has been suggested from another quarter ihat it is not ragwort itself that causes Winton disease, but the caterpillars that crawl on its leaves. This might be so for anything 1 hat is known s to the contrary. But what then ■?""■" What are we to do with the caterpillars? Are we to poison them, or pick them individually off the plants '? No;. As practical men, it ma^es no difference to us whether the cause of the disease. is in the plant or. on the plant, if it is there at all we must get rid of the plant.

Those interested in this particular caterpillar, or in the "grub" found in the pith of the ragwort stem, should supply themselves' with some literature on the subject. This they cun do by applying to the Stock Inspectors. They will then see "that this part of. the subject has- not been overlooked by those who have investigated Winton disease.

A suspected case of Winton disease is reported from the Etoetahuna 'district. Ragwort is plentiful in that locality, and was scheduled as a noxious weed about two years ago.

The yield of grain round about Gore is ■^proving very disappointing as threshing proceeds. In some cases the deficiency is estimated at from ten to fifteen bushels Tier acre. Many unused grain sacks are being returned.

Crops in the Queenstoiwn and Arrowtown districts are all but secured, and threshing began over a week ago. The yield is not beyond the average, but the quality is good. High prices for both wheat and barley axe expected.

An equine curiosity- in the .shape of a tailless mare is to bo seen in the neighbourhood of Arrotrtown,. , The animal was born" with this deficiency, and she is now 18 yetfrs of age.

A substantial order for beef and mutton for the British: Navy has been placed with a firm in Southland.

A strong combine is being formed among the principal rabbit exporters in the South Island.

A great number of dairy farmers cai*e ordering covers for their cows. They have found by experiment that a taovcred cow gives more milk, ajnd k eops in better condition than one having no cover. This practice of covering cows should become universal in Southland-