THE HOME PADDOCK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3824, 21 October 1936, Page 6

THE HOME PADDOCK

SOME USEFUL HINTS. A Useful Tank Stand: A suitable stand for a tank can be made by filling a ring of corrugated iron with sand. The ring should, of course, oe well riveted, and it is also desirable to strengthen it further by means of hoops of fencing wire twitched up hard against the iron. The greatest pressure on the floor of the tank will be about its centre, and it is advisable, therefore, to give the sand filling a slight crown at the centre, so that the tank, when full, will settle with a level floor. The life of the floor of the tank, and also of the ring of galvanised iron, will be greatly extended if the surface coming in contract with the sand is given a wash of cement. Trees on the Farm: It is good to observe a growing “tree consciousness” especially in areas which, in the march of closer settlement, have been almost entirely denuded of native timber. The usefulness or trees can be demonstrated in these ways: As windbreakers and shelter belts. As isolated or scattered shade and shelter - trees. As a reserve supply of fodder for periods of drought. As tree plantations to supply the timber and fuel requirements of the farm, in addition to providing a source of revenue by the sale of products. As screens around dams and tanks to prevent silting up by dust and

undue evaporation of the water contents.

As a means of preventing erosion on slopes and along the banks of creeks and rivers.

As a means of enriching worn-out or - poor land. As ornamental trees in improving the appearance of the homestead. As bee trees.

Generally speaking, May to August are the best months for. treeplanting. Where proper shelter is not provided for stock not only is their re-

sistance to disease reduced but much food material is wasted in meeting the increased demands of an exposed body. This fact has an important application for dairy farmers. A cow’s food is only devoted to production after the animal has satisfied its.needs for nourishment and heat. Conservation of the last mentioned, especially in colder districts and situations, is considerably assisted by judicious trees - planting. Shelter belts in the form of trees and hedges are a valuable aid to the well-being and productivity of the dairy cow. Quickly Made Hoe: A very good weed and thistle hoe may be made from an old knife-blade of a mowing machine. Drive one corner into a long stick far enough to hold, then rivet through to hold in place. Closing Cart Ruts: For closing cart ruts over, in a grass field, cut each side of the rut with a spade, then use a heavy roller when wet. Care with Ewes: To prevent sheep, especially in-lamb ewes, from hurting themselves when being driven through gateways, tie a bag of straw to each gatepost.

Repair Leaks Quickly: A simple method of repairing a stable bucket or vessel is to obtain a shank-button (the type with a ring on). Place on the button a leather or rubber washer, then put the ring through the hole in the bucket and put a small nail through it so that the button becomes tight.

Cheap. Harness Pegs: Excellent pegs can be made to hang harness on by cutting a straight piece of main branch from a tree, with a smaller branch growing from it at an angle of about 35 degrees. Trim up with a sharp chisel and bore nail holes, to save splitting; these should be slightly on the downward slant.