Rural Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 19185, 24 October 1903, Page 8 (Supplement)

Rural Notes.

Southland farmers aro now quite I satisfied with the rain they havo had, and they do not require more for at least a fortnight. Although the rains came too abundantly in some parts, and although slight flooding was caused here and there, particularly in the Goro district, still no serious damage was done. A few lamb 9 were lost on Friday night, a week ago, owing to the cold and wet .; but beyond this no harm has been done by rains or floods or cold. The country is looking quite green ' now. Grass is doing well, and the young braird is very , strong and healthy: Farmers are now preparing their land for rape, grass apd turnips. One or two farmers are trying experimental patches of Lucerne. Stock of all kinds are doing well ; but a few sudden deaths among horses in the Waikaka district have been reported. The animals were in the yoke, and gave no indications of disease but simply rolled over and died. More than likely congestion of the lungs,, followed probajjly by rupture of the common aorta, was the cause of doath. Cattle am doipg well. There have been several cases of milk fever lately, but lew deaths have occurred from this cause, as farmers are more on the outlook for this disease, and they have within their reach a reliable remedy. Sheep are, so far, doing exceptionally well. There has been no report of deaths from any cause either among sheep or lambs,; but more than likely we shall hear of wool-balls in lambs very soon. Lameness in horses causes the farmer a great deal of trouble and loss both direct and indirect ; and in Southland, where so little atten tion is paid to the horses, feet lameness is extremely common among farm animals. A great doal of the loss and trouble arising, as the result of lame, horses on the farm at a busy season, might easily be avoided if farmers would follow a few simple hints. Whenevor lameness appeal's, and it is known, to be in, say a fore-leg, suspect the foot if nothing is" found to indicate its presence elsewhere. Splash a bucketful of water over the fore-feet. If the foot on ; the lame side dries before the other, then it is almost certain that tho cause of lameness is in that foot. Examine the foot closely. Tap the sole gently with a light hammer, and if the animal evinces pain at a certain point, pare the horn away there. If tho trouble results from the animal treading on a na4l or any such object <; or il* it is caused by gravel working into the foot, then on paring a little black spot may be all that is present to indicate the affected place. Pare around this black spot carefully, and by-and-by a black, evil-smelling fluid will spring out. Explore the hole with the end of a match, and if there is much of the sole separated by the imprisoned fluid, then do not hesitate to pare it all off. Pare away until you have left Tio receptacle for filth or pus, then wash the patrt thoroughly with warm water.. If no better antiseptic is handy, pour into the wound a sufficient quantity of turpentine to entirely fill the cavity. Keep it there for a few minutes ; then let down the foot, and protect it from dust etc., by putting it in a small bag. Poultice for a night ; .wash frequently with a disinfectant ; keep the foot dry, and in a few days the lameness will be entirely gone, and in a few days more it will be fit to work. If lameness is caused by an injury to a muscle or a tendon, the first thing to do is to give the animal rest and apply warm water and washing soda to the affected part. Withhold from 'applying embrocations for a few days, and do not apply blisters until the inflammation has been reduced. Unless rest is given it is useless to apply a treatment, for it will do no good. Rest, bathe ; then blister. Mr Kerrigan, Government veterinarian, is at present in the Wyndham district testing cows that are suspected to be tuberculous. Mr Gilruth was in that locality the other day, and knowing that a great many cows wero supposed to bo unfit ot unsafe for dairy purposes, he lias sent Mr Kerrigan to test them. Mi* Kerrigan is likely soon to leave the Government service, as he has been offered a position with the Hawkes Bay branch of the Farmers* Union^ It Is not known whether Mr Kerrigan will accept this appointment, but more than likely ho will. Very good meetings of the Fanners' Union have been held recently at various centres throughout Southland. At one and all .of them a growing interest in the affairs of the Union is readily seen among those who attend. Farmers are just beginning to see that the Union is likely to be a big concern some day, and if this interest goes on growing for another yesr it will be a big concern indeed. - .-■.,< Farmers are .greatly; concerned over, the present financial condition of the colony. They are beginning to see that the time has come when we shall have to stop the mortgaging of our farm colony to outsiders, who have already too big a mortgage on the place. They think it a good thing for the colony that money is not so easily ojbtained as it was. They aro also convinced that much of ut pasn uoocj. srcq A'ouom pOAVOjuoq di x % the purchase of out-of-the-way places that should not : have, been settled for the "-next 60 years. This kind of thing, they say, does ao gb;od to .tho settlers themselves, ho good to the colony, and it ia 1 positively harmful to settlers in other districts, ' as it takes aiway from jfchem much-needed labour. Farmers get the name of being chronic growlers ; but those who know, them know 'that , they have good cause-vJto complain frequently. At present -they are complaining of the conditfep.^ff.some of their roads. These" they/'havp^paid large sums of money tp/^ut m good repair : and now they are ' being, damaged tremendously by 'dredging, sawmiiling, and flax-milling industries. They

have sought redress, but so far they have got none. They are now relying on the County Councils to come to their aid.