LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM.

Southland Times, Issue 18969, 16 June 1923, Page 10 (Supplement)

LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM.

ELECTRICITY ON THE FARM.

Amenable Cases of Setrility.

(By

"HARVESTER.”)

ELECTRICITY. WHAT IT CAN DO. Electricity is of vital importance to the Southland farmer as upon the consumption of power from Monowai rests the necessity or otherwise for a rate. Any farm machine that revolves or has revolving parts can be operated by an electric motor, more effectively and more economically than by any other means. Apart from the obvious uses, the advantages of electricity, proved ip other countries, may be enumerated as follows: (1) Improving the product. (2) Decreasing the production costs. (3) Circumventing the adverse effects of weather. (4) Turning out mor,e work with the same amount of labour. (5) Simplifying operations. (61 Converting what would normally be losses into gains and eliminating waste. (7) Increasing the profits. One unit of electricity will perform any one of the following operations:— In the farm buildings chaff of feed in 10 minutes; crush 22 bushels of oats in 25 minutes; cut 6 tons of roots in 60 minutes; milk 52 cows in 35 minutes; separate 260 gallons of milk, churn and work 1651 b. of butter in 60 minutes. On the farm land it will plough 160 sq. yd. average land; furrows 12in. deep in 2 minutes; cut and bind lj acres grain crop (haulage extra) in 45 minutes; or thresh 8 bushels of wheat in 11 minutes. A very careful analysis indicates that the work done per annum by a horse is equivalent to 550 units of electricity. Taking the annual charge for a horse at £5O, the cost of obtaining the equivalent of one unit of electricity is 1/9. In the field electricity has proved its advantages in ploughing, electro-culture, haymaking, harvesting, and threshing. So far as ploughing is concerned, the electric system differs from its steam predecessor in that the haulage gear is very much lighter (since it is not a power-producing unit), and the anchorages (which are much improved) have not to withstand such great strains. Once set up in a field, two comparatively unskilled men only are required —one to operate a tramcar type electric controller and the other to work the balance plough. The following are figures for average land in good heart:—

The cost of ploughing'an acre by horses is roughly 12/6, while electricity will do the same work for 9/-. An interesting paper on electricity on the farm was recently put before the British farmers by Mr R. B. Matthews, who contended, that for haymaking, there was no need to depend upon the sun; electricity gave as good, if not better, hay than the natural article. Artificially-dried hay, he said, looks better and has a better aroma than naturally dried hay. Its food on nutritive value is greater. The use of an electric motor drive for the binder gives better speed and lower costs. ELECTRICAL SILAGE. The latest development, he said, was electrical silage, by which method it was claimed the fodder is . better preserved, as i objectionable bacterial action is arrested before it has time to do damage. The general arrangement is quite simple; each silo has an earthed metal plate fised at the bottom, and when the silo is filled another metal plate is placed on top of the freshly-cut green stuff; this latter plate is then connected to the electricity main. The power required is up to 10 k.v.a. (kilo-colt-am-peres) for a silo of about 20ft in height and. 14ft in diameter. The time required is twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Ten tons of fodder require between 130 and 200 units. Mr Matthews then showed the advantages of electricity in the buildings. Under this he spoke of the electric .lighting of poultrylaying houses, with the object and result of increasing egg production during the winter months. It would appear from tests that 10 per cent, more eggs can be obtained during winter. In the case of lighter breeds the gain may be 25 per cent. The cost of supplying electric, light from 6 a.m. to dawn and from dusk to 9 p.m. is only |d per bird per year. It has also great ada antages in connection with incubators, footer-mothers and hovers. Under another heading he turned his attention to wireless telegraphy and telephony. Account keeping by electricity was another advantage dealt with, and he exhibited a model of a semi-automatic system known as autocoimtancy. Concluding, Mr Matthews said: “If British agriculture—to-day at a low ebb due to a combination of circumstances—is to regain prosperity, it must not only use the aids of its competitors, but improve upon them. It cannot afford to ignore the great economies resulting from the applications of electric power and light. “ The adoption of electrical methods means that, with the same number of labourers, more intensive farming becomes possible, and that is the secret of increased prosperity not only for the farmer but for the nation. It is inconceivable that England, foremost in steam agriculture, should remain indifferent to the much greater poss.bilities of electro-farming. Not only would such an attitude on the part of British agriculturists be detrimental to their own interests, but it would result in the implement industry of this country losing its important position in foreign mar[sets, thereby involving a double national loss.” SALT FOR DAIRY COWS. During a temporary drought in the Wairarapa a farmer lost two of the most valuable cows in his dairy herd. The death of lhesr cows was caused by the dry feed in the stomach forming into a hard mass, t reating a stoppage. Ihe first effect on the animals was curious. The cows seemed quite normal at times, but occasionally would become quite mad, and run over or into anything that came in their way. A veterinary surgeon was called in, and he diagnosed the case as above, and proved this by a post mortem on one of the animals, which had to be destroyed. He then prescribed a handful of Agricultural Salt per hay for each cow in the herd. Putting the salt in boxes in the stockyard was first tried, but this proved unsatisfactory; some cows took it but others would not. Finally, each cow had a handful put down her throat at milking time. From that time onward there was no further trouble in the herd, and although the drought continued for several weeks longer, none of the cows suffered aoy ill-effects. This experience just serves to illustrate how necessary it is for stock to receive a steady supply of salt. If dairy cows cannot get this necessary mineral, a condition of low vitality ensues which, if continued, will result in a complete breakdown. Immediately pasture falls below standard the

supply of salt secured by each animal daily decreases and must be made up if aarious consequences are to be avoided. SKIMMINGS. FOR THE HOME BUTTER-MAX2R. The flavour of butter depends very largely upon the condition and flavour of the cream when put in the churn. Taints in cream result in tainted butter, but a sligl t taint can usually be made to disappear 1 judiciously ripening the cream. In ord • to ensure a uniformity of the ripenh n , cream needs to be stirred twice daily. The floor of the dairy should be smooth and free from cracks wherein stale milk, etc., may lodge. Both concrete and cement make good floors, so long as a smooth surface is obtained. Stale milk and washing water lying in cracks in the floor soon ferment, and is often the indirect cause of tainted butter, especially in hot weather.

When all the milk for the time being has passed through the separator, the machine should be taken to pieces and all parts which come into contact with the milk or cream washed and scalded. The holes in the bowl through which the skim milk emerges need to be cleaned out with a brush supplied for the purpose. As a cream separator is run at a very high speed it is imperative that all the bearings are well lubricated. If the bearings are allowed to get dry they soon wear out. Badly worn bearings cause the cream separator to vibrate, and fail to skim the milk sufficiently. The best kind of oil to use is that supplied by the makers of the machine.

A maximum yield of butter is not obtained when unripened cream is churned, or too high temperatures are adopted throughout the course of manufacture. Sweet cream butter has a mild creamy flavour and usually is only made to meet the requirements of certain customers. In order to produce pure milk only healthy cows must be kept in the herd. If a cow suffers from any disease, especially disease of the udder, the milk yield is generally contaminated with obnoxious species of bacteria. This happens although the milk may have been obtained under the best conditions of cleanliness.

Streaky butter is caused by the salt acting on the excess of casein left in the butter, due chiefly to insufficiently washing this product when in granular form. Unsalted butter does not go streaky, even if it contains too much caseous matter. Streaky butter always presents an unappetising appearance. STERILITY. CAUSES THAT ARE AMENABLE TO TREATMENT. This ever-increasing trouble is receiving more attention in all parts of the world now that its importance is becoming realised. With ordinary commercial stock, if a few services fail the cow is just added to the list of those to be grazed off or stallfed fcr the butcher, but with pedigree stock or animals that have proved good milkers in a previous lactation the weeding out from the dairy does not offer a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. We may resort to the butcher as the last expedient instead of the first. There are causes amenable to treatment, and others that are not, and it is advisable to try to ascertain which of them is giving trouble. Only a small proportion of the cases are due to tuberculosis, malformation, debility, fibre us degeneration of the ovaries, or obstructions to the tubes, the great majority originating in the abortion disease (contagious abortion). Something like threequarters of the cases of sterility in cows are traceable to a low persistent form cf inflammation of the uterus following on the abortion disease. This will not be fully understood unlesss the cowkeeper is told that many of the full-timers are nevertheless infected. They are, indeed, the greatest menace to the herd, because net suspected, but allowed to associate with other pregnant animals. No greater reason can be offered for calving away from the place where cows are kept, and for watching the sliming which is preliminary to the act of parturition. If the slime is discoloured, either scoty looking and not translucent, or yellowish, the beast is suspect. AN INFLAMMATORY fROUBLE. Among the results of the specific inflammation of the womb may be counted an inflammation of the neck or bottle shaped portion known as the cervix. Not altogether occluded so that a finger cannot with difficulty be introduced, yet buttoned up by adhesions resulting from the inflammatory action which has not manifested itself to the cowman in the form of illness or being off feed or staring coat. . Only slight symptoms may be shewn, and these will be generally overlooked by any but the most observant. The practice of “opening up” advocated by some practical cowmen is not to be despised, but is worth trial, provided only that the hands are well washed, the nails pared, and' the fingers dipped in a disinfectant before 'introducing into the narrow neck and distending it with moderate force. The adhesions”are not usually tough, and it takes but little force to break them down. No ill consequences are to be anticipated. The passage is rarely closed completely, but it is so narrowed as to prevent conception. Continued inflammatory action around this region with but a small amount of discharge ever visible on the external genitals, often exists without attracting attention’ Not so easy of treatment is the thickening of the fallopian tube, which progresses to such a condition as to completely block the duct and so pen up the ova and prevent them from ever reaching the uterus. Cysts or bladders in the ovarium are among the cases of sterility. There are some veterinary surgeons who have become so adept at discovering these that they will introduce a hand and compress and break up a cyst with the best possible results. The liberated fluid in the abdomen does not appear to have had any bad effect, but becomes absorbed. Such performances cannot be expected of the cow keeper, but it may be well worth while incurring the fees of an expert when such advantages arc obtainable. " THE REMEDIES.

Among the remedies from chronic inflammation of the womb following on the abortion disease may be mentioned, the injection of weak iodine solutions, two per cent, with five per cent, glycerine added to water, and syringing out with a solution of one ounce of table salt to a gallon of boiled water, used when about at blood heat. This treatment has also been found beneficial for the irritation around the neck of the uterus previously referred to. Men in charge of down-calvers are particularly recommended to note the nature of the placental membranes, and to retain a mental picture of the really healthy after-birth and the natural discharges, and to suspect any departure from such appearances and colouring. If at the time the cleanings are well soaked with a solution of twenty grains of permanganate of potash to the quart of water and the same used to wash the passage, and this measure is repeated daily until the mucus is normal, discharges will cease, and the ccw be

likely to escape some of the troubles we I have referred to. Such preventative meaI sures require no special skil, but we may warn cow men not to employ K water too hot, or the delicate hypersensitive membranes will be easily scalded. Permanganate is always used much too strong unless the operator has seen the bad results or been effectively warned by someone who ‘ has. 1 Alkaline treatment both internally and b.• injection has been recommended as an u .idity of the vaginal mucus often follows ’ \rturition even when apparently normal, 1 A certainly as a result of an infectious aginitis, which is common and widespread 1 but not recognised, as it interferes but very • I little if at all with the victim’s general 1 health, but is sufficient to kill the seed of 1 the male, and thus make service of no ; effect.

SALE OF JERSEY STOCK. £6,287 FOR. 47 HEAD. ’ A remarkable demonstration of the popui larity of Mr John Hale’s Holly Oak Jerseys resulted at his fourth annual sale held at the homestead, New Plymouth, on June 5. Many wonderful butter-fat records have been put up within the last few years by cattle bred in this stud, which have resulted in the exceptional demand experienced at his annual sales. Last year an average of 119 guineas was made for his draft of heifers, which was a record for the Dominion for such a sale. This year’s sale was quite unprecedented, for although a much larger draft was submitted, a fresh Dominion record- was established, 28 heifers—quite a considerable proportion of which were yearlings—averaging 151 guineas. Although this is not the season of the year to sell bulls, the nineteen yearlings offered met with a great demand, also making a record average for the Dominion of 92i guineas. The average for the total of 47 head sold was approximately 127 guineas. The prices realised were a tribute to the widespread appreciation of Taranaki-bred Jerseys . This province has produced almost all of the outstanding butter-fat cows of this breed; in this respect the Holly Oak herd stands right in the forefront. Forty of the Holly Oak females have averaged 5361bs fat, and within the past year two heifers have created fresh New Zealand records for two and four-year-olds. Another Holly Oak-bred cow now on test in the Waikato may set a new world’s record. In February she got as high as 105.891b5. fat for the 28-day month, and for the halfyear she has produced over 5801bs. fat. This cow stands a splendid chance of making a four-figure record, which would quite eclipse the highest record made in America for cows milked twice daily. The feature of the Holly Oak’s sale this year was a sis ter to this cow in a two-year-old heifer, Holly Oak Adeline. This heifer created remarkable interest, and although the owner placed a very high reserve upon her, Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., purchased her for the record price of a Jersey animal of any sex. The price paid was 501 guineas, and it is satisfactory to know that this great heifer is to remain in the Dominion. Many other great figures were paid for heifers, these going to all parts of the Dominion. A record price for the Dominion was also paid for a two-year-old bull, Mr J. J. Mein, of Manakau, who is establishing a new herd which is destined to make a name in Jersey history. This bull, which sold for 365 guineas, was by the great butter-fat sire, Grannie’s Knight, undent of the champion two-year-old heifer of New Zealand, 6801 b?. fat. Two hundred and sixty-five guineas was also paid for a grandson of Lady Superior by Mr ,T. A. Milliar, of Tuakau, Auckland. The attendance at the sale was easily a record for Taranaki, and everything was carried off in first-class style. The sale was managed by Mr C. E. Robertson, acting for Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., who were the selling agents in conjunction with Messrs Newton King, Ltd. Appended are the results in detail: — COWS.

Holly Oak Glad Eye, by Grannie’s Knight ' —Signal’s Queen, calved October, 1921.—J. ! Davies (Maxwelltown), 180 guineas. Holly Oak Glimpse, by Grannie’s Knight —Rose’s Glance, calved July, 1921.—J. J. Mein (Otaki), 140 guineas. Holly Oak Nancy, by Grannie’s Knight— Genoa’s Pride, calved July, 1921. —P. Grant (Balcluthn), 116 guineas. Holly Oak Reality, by Grannie’s Knight —Rose Royal, drived October, 1920. —A. , Sorenson (Eltham), 120 guineas. Holly Oak War Nurse, by Meadow vale General Daisy—Gatie’s Gem, calved January, 192|. —T. H. Western (Bell Block), 200 guineas. Holly Oak Reflection, by Silvermine’s Knight—Holly Oak’s Beauty, calved December, 1921.—J. J. Mein (Otaki), 235 guineas. Holly Oak Alberta, by Meadow vale General Daisy—Lambert’s Countess, calved July, 1921. —Buckland and Son. (Auckland) as agents, 100 guineas. Holly Oak Primula, by Grannie’s Knight —Dark Prim, calved April, 1921.—J. Davies (Maxwelltown), 195 guineas. Holly Oak Dewdrop, by Grannie’s Knight —Sylph’s Maid, calved November, 1920. A. Sorenson (Eltham), 130 guineas. Holly Oak La Paloma, by Grannie’s Knight—Madam Leia, calved February, 1921.—Brackenridge Bros. (Ta’upaki), 102 guineas. Holly Oak Listowel, by Grannie’s Knight —Prim’s Lisp, calved January, 1921.—Aitken and McCarroll (Woodhill, Kaipara), 135 guineas. Holly Oak Adeline, by Grannie’s Knight —Jersey Bank Pretty, calved September, 1920. —Wright, Stephenson and Co. as agents, 501 guineas. Holly Oak Talata, by Grannie’s Knight —Silvermine’s Queen, calved December, 1921. —J. J. Mein (Otaki), 145 guineas. Holly Oak Skylight, by K.C.B. (impjTreasure’s Dot, calved September. 1920. J. J. Mein (Otaki), 155 guineas. Holly Oak Lady General, by Meadowvale General Signal’s Lioness, calved December, 1920. Passed in at vendor’s bid of 400 guineas. Holly Oak Delight, by Grannie's Knight Te Aeri’s Beauty, calved May. 1921. T. H. Verry (Pahiatua), 200 guineas. Holly Oak Trixie, by Grannie’s Knight Princes 6! of Silvermine, calved October, 1921. Aitken and McCarroll (Kapongai, 100 guineas. Holly Oak Sunbath, by Genoa’s Master Choice, calved January, 1021.—W. J. Coventry (Matiere), 135 guineas. Holly Oak Pearl, by Grannie’s KnightRavenswood Princess, calved December, 1921.—A. V. Hornick (Manakau), 117-A guineas. Holly Oak Sage Queen, by Genoa’s Master—Lala’s Maid, calved March, 1921.—F. Jennings Wairarapa), 105 guineas. Holly Oak Admiration, by Genoa’s Master • —Katie’s Gem, calved December, 1921. W. J. Coventry (Matiere), 102 guineas. Holly Oak Beatrice, by Grannie’s Knight —Treasure’s Beauty, calved March, 1921. R. Dean (Te Kuti), 101 guineas. Holly Oak Beauty Spot, by Genoa’s Mas-ter-Gem’s Ruby, calved January, 1922 G. H. Handley (Rapanui), 122 guineas. Holly Oak Lioness, by Grannie’s Knight —Signal’s Lioness, calved February, 1921. —G. H. Handley, 185 guineas.

Holly Oak Fancy, by Grannie’s Knight— Signal’s Fancy, calved January, 1922.—F. Bristol (Wanganui), 105 guineas. ■ Holly Oak Quickshine, by Grannie’s Knight—Flashlight, calved March, 1922. — F. Bristol (Wanganui), 105 guineas. Holly Oak Madeline, by Grannie’s Knight—Lala’s Maid, calved January, 1922. —P. Bright (Waiuku), 100 guineas. Holly Oak Pet, by Holly Oak Superior Knight—Darkie’s Pet, calved February, 1922. —J. J. Mein (Otaki), 130 guineas. Holly Oak Sister Sue, by Meadbwvale General Daisy—Anscerine, calved September, 1921.—R. Weinberg (Ohura), 187 guineas. BULLS. Holly Oak Fancy Lad, by Grannie’s Knight—Signal’s Fancy, calved March, 1921—W. R. Smellie (Matau), 60 guineas. Holly Oak Royal Vale, by Meadow vale General Daisy—Rose Royal, calved September, 1921.—Kirton Bros. (Whangamomona), 51 guineas. Holly Oak Shepard King, by Grannie's Knight—Exile’s Katie, calved September, 1921. —Hope Johnson (Rongotea), 90 guineas. Holly Oak Top Dog, by Grannie’s Knight —Pretty Florrie, calved May, 1921.—H. Lewis (Waharoa), 80 guineas. Holly Oak Gas Bag, by Grannie’s Knight —Sweet Peerless, calved August, 1921. —W. Blaikie (Te Kauwhata), 71 guineas. Holly Oak Gold Star, by Genoa’s Master —Merrie Violet, calved May, 1921. —R. S. Wall (Plimmerton), 30 guineas. Holly Oak Majesty, by Meadowvale General Daisy—Slyph’s Maid, calved September, 1921. —H. Parsons (Patea), 55 guineas. Holly Oak Comedy Chief, by Grannie’s Knight—Lady Superior, calved August, i 1921.—J. J. Mein (Otaki), 365 guineas. Holly Oak Leo, by Grannie’s KnightLaureate, calved February, 1922. —E. F. Mills (Kaeo), 45 guineas. Holly Oak Lionel, by Grannie's Knight —Lucky Lass, calved December, 1921. — W. J. Coventry (Matiere), 57 guineas. Holly Oak Commander, by Meadowvale General Daisy—Jersey Bank Treasure, calved March, 1922.— J. C. Smith (Waharoa), 95 guineas. Holly Oak Laddie, by Grannie’s Knight —Pretty Lass, calved January, 1922. —R. S. Wall (Plimmerton), 50 guineas. Holly Oak Model, by Grannie’s Knight— Te Arei’s Beauty, calved April, 1922.—5. H. Pryce (Halcombe), 70 guineas. Holly Oak Victor, by Holly Oak Superior Knight—Merry Violet, calved May, 1922. P. Roach (Netherton), 72 guineas. Holly Oak Trumpeter, by Holly Oak Superior Knight—Tuneful, calved March, 1922. —T. A. Miller (Tuakau), 265 guineas. Holly Oak Danger Zone, by Grannie’s Knight—Signal’s Lass, calved November, 1921. —T. H. Verry (Pahiatua), 50 guineas. Holly Oak Sunray, by Grannie’s Knight —Roserina, calved January, 1922.—T. H. Verry (Pahiatua), 62 guineas. Holly Oak Malingerer, by Grannie’s Knight—St. Lambert’s Bride, calved March, 1922. —F. Jennings (Mauriceville), 117 guineas. Holly Oak Gay Lad, by Grannie’s Knight —Lucky Choice, calved January, 1922.—A. A. White (Auckland), 75 guineas. CHOU-MOELLIER FOR CATTLE FEED. Remarkable success has attended the experiment of Messrs F. R. and A. F. Christie, farmers, Mataura Island, in the cultivation of chou-moellier, for autumn and winter sto'k-feeding. From a sowing over a 4-acre plot, the yield was 40 tons to the acre'. The cattle eat the of the plant with avidity, the stalks as well as the leaves. • Some samples of this (Articular yield,- which I came under our notice in the local office of Henderson and Co., Ltd., stood sft 6in high. The crop was grown on a piece of land previously sown with turnips which proved blight-ridden. But no blight whatever has been detected on the chou-moellier.

Since receipt of the above particulars concerning the valuable feeding qualities of chou-moellier, an additional testimony to a similar effect has been afforded as to the ability of the plant to overcome clubroot has come from Mr Albert Barnett, whose farm is also situated at Mataura Island, where he grew this season 38} tons choumoellier on land previously turnip-sown, and last winter was in a shocking condition with that disease. Chou-xnoellier is not positively immune from clubroot, but it is considered the most resistant crop known to the menace indicated.—Wyndham Farmer. GLANDERS IN HORSES. THE FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE. It is not generally known that men, as well as horses, die of glanders. Only two examples of recovery among human subjects are authentically known, and one of these was a veterinary surgeon, and therefore able to describe his sensations and thus afford valuable information for the future guidance of those who meet with inexplicable diseases in me/i associated with horses. There is a long history of bungling in dealing with the disease in horses, which has been recognised in the species for at least two thousand years, and associated with every great war in the world where horses and mules were employed, the humble ass being no exception. This country, which led in the attempt to control infections diseases of animals, and in respect of other animal plagues commands the admiration of the world, bungled the glanders matter by failing to recognise the unhappy fact that individuals put their own immediate interests before those of the community. The result was that no sufficient inducement to declare the disease was offered. The order for destruction when discovered should have been accompanied by full compensation, and then we should have cleared the country of the disease many years ago. The late Mr Hunting. F.R.C.V.S., devoted his life and much of his private fortune to the eradication of glanders, but did not live to see the full fruition of his labours. Only two cr three small centres continued to provide cases, and each year with the falling statistics it was hoped that the last case would be seen. Then the Great War came, and we had to draw on many une’ean countries for horses and mules, and back came glanders. It is estimated that the handling of the trouble by the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was such as to have prevented loss amounting to as much as the whole cost of the corps. This could never have been done without the mallein test, which was applied by British officers at the place of purchase, again on embarkation if long journeys by land were made, on disembarkation, on arrival at a remeunt depot, and when sent to another. During the latter part of the war those animals remaining in a depot more tb-'n ■» fortnight were retested. With all these precautions verv few ‘‘doubtful reacturJ' got through, and. if they did, they were discovered on the other side by the veterinary officers at the seat of war. RETARDING PROGRESS. One of the things that greatly retarded the eradication of glanders was ignorance as to the real nature of farcy. Farcy is an external form of glanders, but was not recognised as such until late in the Inst century, and owners were allowed to treat and keep infected animals. Confusion was added to ignorance, for the old farriers gave the name of farcy to the swelled legs more generally known as Monday morning leg (lymphangitis), although some recognised the difference and bestowed the qualifying description of “water” farcy. Querists still use the term farcy and fasse and fass, and one hopes that they have not got the real thing to deal with, as something or other that they say in their letters generally enables one to diagnose the trouble. Major-General Sir John Moore F.R.C.V.S., in a paper read before the Royal Society of Medicine recently, said that “the extinction cf glanders in civil communities in Great Britain is within measurable distance, and the Boartl of Agriculture, with Sir Stuart Stockman and his staff, have reason to be proud of the labours of their hand. Once clear, the application of the

mallein test on importation of horse?, mules, and asses will maintain freedom.” The late Mr Hunting published the finest work in English or any other language, and illustrated it with coloured plates in such a manner that the student could not fail to recognise the disease. He states that “there is very little doubt that ten times as many human deaths from glanders have occurred as have been accredited to that cause by the Registrar-General.” The inallein test has been applied in the case of a man, and a definite reaction resulted. Major Hobday. F.R.C.V.S., has dene much good by getting together medical and veterinary practitioners and calling attention to the diseases common to both or transmissible from one to the other. The medical and veterinary students have so many subjects to study, and so little time to do it in, that they and their teachers have naturally concentrated on such as belong exclusively to their own future spheres of work. If the veterinary' branch is sufficiently supported, it can clear this country of glanders, and the medical men will have no cases to diagnose. TOP DRESSING. EXPERIMENT RESULTS. A report on the second year’s results of the Te Kumi top dressing experiment now in progress, and directed by Mr T. H. Patterson. of the Agricultural Department, presents several salient points concerning top-dressing generally. These results are iecorded in the April issue of the N.Z. Jo»’-nal of Agriculture. The area at Te Kumi on which the oxptriment is being conducted, possesses a hgut sou oi unuu-atiug i«. preventative of thousands of acres of land in the King Country and Waikato. The fertilisers used are Nauru Phosphate, Superphosphate and Basic Slag, which are applied each year on adjoining plots, at the rate of 3cwt. per acre, and the results carefully noted and compared with those secured on an unmanured check plot. On the weight of hay produced, the average results for the two years just ended

(1) That Superphosphate has given the highest yield, having produced an increase of approximately 87 per cent, over and above no manure.

(21 That Basic Slag has increased the yield 41 per cent. (3j That ground rock phosphate increasthe yield by 37 per mt. As Mr Patterson points out, “to value the action of. the fertilisers in terms of weight of hay only is not satisfactory. Though great care is taken to get reliable results, there may be a considerable variation in the percentage of moisture contained in the hay at the time it is weighed. The real value of a pasture is its carrying capacity. When judging manurial results every allowance must be made for the increased feeding value available in the pasture. This is difficult to estimate, but is apparent in the preference shown by stock when grazing on top-dressed pasture and the improvement in their condition and producing capacity. Giving due consideration to this important point, the general effect of each manure for the past two seasons indicates that each one has decidedly improved the pasture. It is 'air to say:—

(a/ The Superphosphate has produced a rigorous growth, with every indication of unproved feeding value, particularly on the part previously limed. It is noticeable, however, that Super has stimulated weeds, Yorkshire Fog more so than others. (b> The second year results of Basic Slag show a decided improvement over the first year, but it would appear from the reports covering only two seasons that this manure is not uniform in its good effect >s a top-dressing for pastures. (c i The Ground Rock Phosphate has produced a good growth of grass, and of the Clovers, Cowgrass and White Clover have responded very well. Fog has not been eitmulated as in the case of Super. The feeding quality plants of the pasture have been encouraged by this manure. As all these manures have been applied regularly each season, the lasting results from a manure such as Nauru Phosphate will not receive due credit until some time after the completion of the full five years’ test. In three years’ time a more comprehensive report should be available, and from then on it will be possible to estimate how the various plots show up when grazed. In the meantime, the trials so far undoubtedly emphasise the strong arguments in favour of the Ground Nauru Rock and Superphosphate combination as being the right base for top dressing manures. Practical farmers are daily proving this. Pure Nauru Phosphate has shown itself to be of great value on all heavy, damp soils. So far, in the above test, it has not produced the yield of hay returned by the others, but has given a gradual and sustained general improvement for the pasture. Considering this, and the fact that in the neighbouring trial at Pukekohe (where the same manures are being tested on volcanic country’/, Nauru has given considerably better results than Slag, so that its wider use can be recommended. In joining the forces of Nauru and Superphosphate, thus securing the vigour in the Super, the feeeding quality and sustained supply of plant food in the Nauru, the many practical results recorded from this economical and efficient mixture should commend it to weiy user of artificial fertilisers. RESEARCH WORK. WHAT IS BEING DONE IN ENGLAND. Every year the farmer is making his business more scientific, 2nd uring the results of research work to improve his yields. An interesting address was recently given on “Agricultural Research” by Mr David Thomas, one of England's most progressive farmers. He said that farmers in the past had received very little help from science, but to-day scientific experiments were continually being made to aid them in their work. It had recently been proved that 4ZIb of pure nitrogen per acre were washed into the soil per annum. In tracing the origin of the rotation of crops he advocated a judicious rotation. The chief idea that one crop should help the succeeding crop. It was doubtful whether a root cro. paid in itself. Root crops substituted the “bare fallow” method of our forefathers. Crops were subject to diseases, and perhaps the most troublesome was club root.

Valuable experiments had been carried out at Bangor College, North Wales, with the object of discovering seed that \ws immune to this disease, and to some extent they had been successful. Some’ seed was more subject than others. In comparing English and Danish varieties, taking twenty samples of each, it was found that sixteen of the former were affected by club root, but only two or three of the latter showed signs of the disease. This disease was attributed to soil acidity, but once the soil was affected its contagious properties made it very difficult to get rid of. Cattle and sheep had been known to carry the “spores” from one field to another on their hoofs, and “spores” had been discovered on the wheels of carts used for hauling the crops from affected areas. He advised them to grow their root crops *with artificial manures alone. They should avoid using superphosphates on affected soil, but use basic instead, which was also good for grazing ground. TAKING PRECAUTIONS. Precautions could be taken to avoid this pest by consolidating the land well, applying nitrate of soda, say icwt. per acre. Rolling the soil thoroughly helped to hinder the worm. The frit fly pest was often confounded with the wireworm. He remembered a recent case near Talgarth where a flourishing crop of oats began to lose its healthy colour. Aberystwyth was consulted, and he was asked to visit the farm on their behalf. Wireworms attack the roots of the plants, but the frit fly. which is on the wing about the middle of May, acts upon the stem, where in time the maggot. about one sixteenth of an inch, is discovered made. In this particulai case

the frit fly was the cause. The only safeguard was to sow early. It was difficult to do this in many districts because of the weather, and young early crops often starved. Winter oats were never attacked because the plants were sufficiently developed to withstand the attacks. Turning to plant-breeding stations and their value. Mr Thomas said it had been proved that the Montgomery red clover withstood the climatic conditions better than any imported seed. Under the Seed Act of 1920 merchants were requested to give the origin of the country with the seed supplied. Chilean clover germinated well at first, but was not hardy enough to go beyond the first year. Experiments carried out at Aberystewj’th showed that cocksfoot seed obtained feeding value results and roadsides gave far better feeding value results than those got from foreign sources. Interesting experiments had been going on with wheat seed, and they had come to the conclusion that by crossing an English variety with the Chinese seed the results gave seed that suited the climatic conditions of this country. ANIMAL RESEARCH.

Dealing with the work carried on at the Animal Nutrition Station at Cambridge, the lecturer said the chief ingredients in feedings foods should be albuminoids, fats, carbohydrates, and ash. The albuminoids supplied muscle, ainew, and lean meat. Fats gave heat and fat; carbohydrates performed a similar function, but not so extensive as fats and oils. Ash produced bone and horny matter. For successful pig feeding vitamins played an important part. Experiments with good results had been carried out on food consisting chiefly of fish meal (rich in vitamins), dry blood, and green vegetables (kale and cabbages'. Greenstuff -kept pigs healthy; that was one reason why pigs fed on the open system did better than those confined or kept in. There was an idea prevalent that fish meal left an impression on the flavour of the | meat, but this was not so if used in the proper proportion. Experiments were being carried out with milking cows. Considerable waste was found in cows having too many teats. These extra teats contained supernumerary glands, which reabsorbed the milk and allowed it to pass away in the urine. The practical point was to breed cows without any extra teats.

IMPROVEMENT OF BRITISH WOOL IMPORTATION OF PERUVIAN MERINOS - For some years work has been in progress (Greeted towards the improvement of the /eeces of British sheep. The problem is to improve the fleece while in no w r ay diminishing the mutton value of the carcase. Assuming that the mutton value is unaffected, the possibilities opened up by for wool are substantial. The world supply of fine wool is- much less than the demand and so far as can be foreseen, this position is likely to continue; the gap may indeed widen. This means that the price of fine wool -will tend to harden as years go by. In any case, a fine wool will always command a very much higher price than a coarse wool. The problem is one in which the flock owner and the wool-spinner are equally interested; and the work is now focussed by a committee upon which are represented spinners (through the British Research Association for the Woollen and Worsted Industries!, flock-owners, scientific breeders, the Textile Industries Department of the University of Leeds, and the public departments concerned with the agricultural and industrial questions involved. This Committee has for some time been engaged upon various preliminary investigations, and is now in a position to advance its work on a larger scale. One of the proposals before the Committee is to import merino sheep from Peru, where they live under rigorous conditions at high altitudes and to experiment with the crossing of these sheep and British hill breeds.

Before any Peruvian sheep can be imported into Britain the consent of the Ministry of Agriculture is necessary, and a license to land them can only be given as a most exceptional measure and subject to stringent quarantine regulations. In the present instance, the Ministry will require to be satisfied that the proposed experiment is to be carried out under proper scientific control, and that both breeding and examination of fleeces will be in competent hands and conducted in such a way as to give the greatest prospect of success. If these conditions are satisfied, not only will the licence for importation be given, but the English and Scottish Departments of Agriculture will be prepared to recommend a State contribution towards the cu.3t of the scheme.

BREEDING EXPERIMENTS It is proposed that the breeding experiments shall be in the hands of Dr. F. A. E. Crew, of the Animal Breeding Department of Edinburgh University, who will work in collaboration with Professor A. F Barker, of the Textile Industries Department of the University of Leeds. Professor Barker has been mainly responsible for the present development, and he will also conduct the scientific work in the industrial field. - The Committee to which reference is made above will, it is understood, appoint a sub-Committee of experts to direct the work. The sheep will be a free gift from Colonel R. T. Stordy, head of the Peruvian Government’s model farm. Mr Walter Runciman has arranged for them to be brought over to this country free of charge. The success of the scheme, however, depends upon the co-operation of owners of flocks of hill breeds, and these gentlemen are asked to place a certain number of ewes, from (say) 25 in number to 100, at the disposal of the Committee for the purpose of the wool-growing experiments. No difficulty is anticipated in imposing of the wool of the cross-breds, and this is a matter which the Committee will charge itself with arranging.

The introduction of Peruvian merinos is not the only method likely to be tried for improving wool in Britain. A number of experiments have also been already carried out by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, notably in the crossing of Shetland and Siberian sheep, and bv the Joint Committee on Sheep Breeding. Other experiments with other breeds or on other

.ines are possible as time and opportunity permit. In the meantime an essential foundation piece of work has been undertaken by Professor Barker in the technical classification of the fleeces of British breds; this will enable a report to be prepared showing compendiously the merits and defects of all breeds from the point of view of the textile value of the wool, and will indicate the lines upon which improvements in wool-growing should travel. JOTTINGS. During the past month a fair amount of stock has been trucked from Southland to the flooded areas of Otago, and these consignments have had the effort of hardening the local markets. The store sheep and cattle markets show an improved tone, the former being the better. At Tuesday s Wallacetown sale many store sheep buyers had to return to their farms without having filled their requirements as the stock they were seeking were not offering. There is still plenty of rough feed available throughout Southland, and this should assist farmers to winter their stock. In some cases the turnip crops are not up to expectations, and some shortages are reported. On the other hand, however, the fine open winter has permitted many late crops to bulk nicely, and some of these crops are now turning out well after a bad strike. The new Ear Marking regulations will soon be put into operation, and when they do the regulation of trade in infected cattle will be easier controlled, that is providing legislation is carried to control these diseases as farmers will attempt to cover them up. Once discovered the diseases will be easily controlled, but the difficulty will be in finding them. Mr A. Forbes. Lochiel. has a splendid crop of turnips which are carrying a large num-

ber of lambs at present, and carrying them without any difficulty. Viewed from the road, the crop is a picture, especially in those breaks where the tops have been eaten off and the roots bared.

“ What’s the use of carting gravel from the siding and dumping it on the roadside, only to have it re-carted to the spots required? It’s a waste of money,” said a ratepayer to a member of the county council. “If you regulated your consignments of gravel,” he continued, “you would save time and money.” The councillor tried to defend the action of the council, by stating that the gravel could not be obtained jus; when required, and they were compelled to take it when they could get it. * Referring to the cost of wintering stock, one well-known grazier expressed the opinion that up to £1 a month was being paid out by those who had to find feed for their cattle this season. He had known of cases where the cost had been 18/-, but the general average would run out at about £l. A good example of the increase in the price of fat sheep can be obtained from the following sale. At the previous Wallacetown sale r line of wethers was bought at 27/6, and the recent sale the same line was sold at 33/-. The sheep had improved during the interval, but even allowing for the progress made the increase was a substantial one. Owing to the backward season,’ many farmers have retained more ewe lambs than previously, and this should assist to build up the flocks again. At the present prices it does not pay the farmer to clear his ewe lambs, and this has been the deciding factor in influencing those, who have the feed, to keep the lambs on the place instead of freezing them. A prominent buyer said recently that the season had been better than anticipated. The lack of fattening* feed had made farriers more careful of their lambs, and many had resorted to feeding the lambs with oats. The lambs fed with oats had killed well, and when hung were firmer, heavier, and of a better colour than those fattened upon green feed alone.

A traveller who was through the Wairoa district during the floods, stated that he saw a line of sheep of about 400 dead in the mud. They were up to their bellies in the mud and stuck fast, being practically drowned in the mire. The threshing around Ota Creek is now practically completed and some good oat yields were obtained. The average acre yield for oats was about 70 bushels, but the wheat was not up to expectations. In fact so disappointed are many farmers over their wheat yields that they state they will not grow this crop again. For many years Mataura Island farmers were big growers of oats, but this year no crops were grown on the Island for threshing. All the oat crops were cut into chaff, and were just big enough to fill the requirements of the grower. One Island farmer expressed the opinion that, even at 5/a bushel, it did not pay them to grow oats.

Chou moellier is gradually spreading throughout Southland, especially in the Eastern District. Farmers are beginning to realise the value of this plant as a winter fodder and some good crops are to be seen On the homstead block of the Stalker Settlement there is a good crop, while another is to be seen on Morton Mains near Seaward Downs.

That the country districts are willing and anxious to support a winter show was prov’ ed at Otautau during the week. A director of the Southland A. and P. Association collected £35 in that township in a very short time, the amount to go to the winter show fund.

Just after its summer show the Otago A. and P. Association appealed to the Otago public for £lO,OOO to save the Association. At the time of the annual meeting, held a week ago, the fund had reached £9,500. That the elimination of wheat-growing would result in a greatly increased cost of the production of grass and fodder crops, is the opinion of Mr A. H. Cockayne, Government Biologist, expressed to the Farmers’ School in Ashburton. He declared that it would also tend to reduce the rental value of land, as well as increase the renewal cost of grass lands.

As an indication that heifers frequently give better milicing results in the third year, Mr J. W. Deem cited, during a discussion at the Farmers’ Class at Stratford, the case of a Jersey heifer that gave only 1401 b the first year, but in the subsequent third year her yield reached 4001 b.

Referring to the subject of Taieri flood damage, Mr W. G. Reid stated at the annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union, that the Taieri settlers were at present paying 10/- per acre for drainage rates alone, ordinary county rates being paid above that—some as high as 14/- per acre. If the Government came to the rescue, it would be of national benefit. It was estimated by a Commission that the flood of 1917 caused damage to the extent of £300,000; but he would say the damage caused by the recent floods would amount to nearer £4OO, 000. The people could barely stand up to the loss by three severe floods in seven years. A resolution was passed, asking the Government to come to the assistance of the settlers without delay. The trouble of milk souring quickly is due to not drawing it from the udder under the best conditions of cleanliness, or failing to cool the milk sufficiently immediately it is obtained. In hot weather milk sours quickly, and is changed from a liquid to a solid state by the acid produced in the milk. The souring is caused by bacteria which exists everywhere, but more especially where cleanliness is not of paramount importance. When acid-producing organisations cease to work through the substance in which they are containing too much acidity, other kinds of germs absorbed from the air perform their functions and produce butyric acid. This is a cause of rancid butter, and occurs when cream is kept for a time after it is ripe: hence the necessity of .churning cream as soon as it has reached the correct state of ripeness. Cream should be ripened at a suitable temperature, then the ripening organisms have every chance to develop. Keeping the cream tco cold often causes a bitter flavour to develop. If cream is kept too warm it docs not ripen satisfactorily, and sometimes it does not ripen at all. This being due to the fact that the high temperature is favourabe to germs which do not produce acidity, and they take charge of the cream. In homogenising milk the fat globules are broken up into a very finely divided state—so fine that cream does not rise to the surface of the milk. The advantage of homogenising is that the fat is evenly distributed throughout, and this is advisable when the milk has to be sterilised. Warm milk is less viscous than cold, and therefore more easily passes through a fine filtering medium. Thus it is most essential to filter the milk immediately it leaves the cow, and before much of the natural heat is lost. A certain amount of dirt, etc., is unavoidably present in milk, and this should be removed by filtration before it has time to dissolve.

It is important that all dairy utensils should be washed in tepid water, then scalded, as soon as they are used. Leaving vessels containing stale mi;k, cream, etc., about the dairy is a source of contamination, and often causes a great deal of trouble such as faulty produce. When making cheese with a large quantity of milk the process of manufacture has to b*' varied somewhat, as compared with a small lot of milk. A largo quantity of milk retains its heat better, and develops acidity more quickly than does a small quantity. In dealing with milk for cheese in small quantities it is advisable to use a maximum amount of starter, especially during cool weather. BARGAINS BY POST. Heavy White Colonial Blankets—Single are offered at 30/- postage free by Low’s Limited. Mail Order Merchants, 69 Lichfield Street, Christchurch, who also offer same blankets 3/4 size, 37/6 per pair (double 45/per pair) ; Kapoc Quilts, exceptional value, 25/-; Eiderdown Quilts 55/-. Money refunded if goods fail to please.— (Advt;.

Depth Acres Consumption of furrow ploughed units inches. per hour. per acre. 6 2.5—3 14 8—8.75 1.8—2 17 10 1.8 18 12—12.75 1—1.25 24 12—14 1—1.25 33 10 plus 6 1.25—1.4 .. 36—40 subsoiling.