ON THE LAND

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 7, 30 July 1930, Page 2

ON THE LAND

FARM AMO CARO EM. IX STRA'JjFOIIJO AND DISTRICT. (My “A MARK".) FARM. At this tum- of the year the farmer is busy attending to his cows, that are now coming into profit. The weather of the last week has been such That it has been an easy matter for a cow in her weakened condition to develop some ailment. One of the worst errors into which a farmer ‘can fall is to put a newlycalved cow into a- paddock in which are growing trees, usually pines, that are hare near the ground. No doubt his intentions are of the very kindest, but if ho would think for one moment ho would sec that trees of this nature make so strong an underdraught that it becomes a. veritable death-trap to the cows. Cows When attending to their newborn will not readily leave them even for a drink and so a cow is often very thirsty and will drink from any old pool that may he near at hand. 1 have found that it is good? to give the cow a- bucket of lukewarm water in which a. handful of salt has been put. This will be readily drunk by the cow and will do her an immense amount of good.

it is not a good think to milk the cow right out at tnc first tune. Just ease her sufficiently and then leave the calf with her. it is a mistake to take the calf from the cow too early or too soon.

it is now necessary for the farmer to decide on what calves he intends to keep for his own use. He must bear in mind that the cows of the future are made by the rearing and treatment of the calf.

Give the calf a good start on new milk, and good shelter either by dense hedges or by sheds. Some farmers object tc shedding calves as they maintain that it makes them too delicate. But i. have yet to bo convinced that the health of a calf is improved by leaving it standing shivering by the hour, exposed to all cold weather. When teaching u calf to drink, a little patience is the first essential and this is helped by a little judgments

Many people put tbeir bands over the calf’s nose., placing one or more fingers in -A he month. This .method usually makes it difficult keep the calf’s head down in the milk as the tendency is for the animal to push its head up to obtain its food from its mother. It is easier and better to put the hand under the lower jaw and so by this means the calf will he induced to put his head into the milk and so will soon learn to drink on its own. GARDEN. Needless to say it lias been too cold to do any real work in the garden. all thoughts of sowing seeds and planting ontA seedlings should be dispelled from the mind until there is a decided turn for the bettor. Qnouml or green-manuring crops that have not, yet been dug should bo proceeded with at once, so that the green matter may be partially decayed hetoro the time of planting.

Rhubarb he pttemHed to now. If it was separated last year, there is no peed to disturb it this, hut give it a heavy mulching of farmyard manure. If it has been established for more than two years, then it is a. good, plan to lift it and separate it as the roots will have become too crowded). Separate the plants so that one good bud remains on one healthy root only Before replanting enrich the soil thoroughly to as great, a depth as possible. Make the trench li’oni 211 upwards ip depth and add as much humus or farmyard manure as possible right up to the top. Plant the rhubarb ip this so that the crown is just beneath the surface. In Ihe spring farmyard manure is too slow in moving and so in consequence, it i s better to add a dressing c.f superphosphate apdl,blood and; bone, this will hasten the first growl h. in many gardens now, then; may he blooming now the beautiful Iris iSlylo.su, perhaps (he scarcity of .'lowers exercises its beauty, be that as it may, it cannot be denied that it. ; s } \ great joy to the gardener as it blooms now when Hewers are scarce Alt b oiigh it grows readily, it dislikes being shifted and shews its dislike by shy blooming. Once flip, clump is established, it, is wise to leave it undisturbed am] each year, with liberal manuring, will bring an'increased number of blooms. Snails are very fond of (be flowers so tak«' care to keep (be snails away Go in the p'ants. either bv using the ■lanh and foot or bv sprinkling with' lime. The petals of tile flower’s ave vorvdelicate and are e.asil' - damaged bv unfavourable weather. Therefore it is hesT to pick them ill the “oeimil” or hud stoop -iud leave them to open to perfcclmii in water.