BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1932, Page 15

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS

SOUTH TARANAKI ACTIVITIES

CARE OF CALVES AND PLOTS. .

SUGGESTIONS TO COMPETITORS.

(Contributed by the South Taranaki Agricultural Clubs’ Association.) The last few days have been busy ones for those-whose calves have w ° n at the schools and have gone on to the final stages of the judging at the group centres. It has heen very apparent that the advice-given by the judges in reference; to the handling of a calf has fallen on receptive ears, for everywhere the improvement in the leading and groom* ing of the calves has been most striking. Many competitors bring, their brushes along to the schools and the scene just before the judging starts is always a - busy one. On all sides the children are busy with brushes,. combs and cloths putting the final touches, to. the animal in the hope that it will attract the judges’ attention and gain a prize. , The fortunate ones always feel that the effort has been worth while as they proudly lead away a winner. But, of course, only a few may be 7 winners and those who are not on top this time niust not feel that all the time and work they have ■ put into the calf is wasted; for, whether you win or not, you can feel certain that the work you have, done has been well worth while. You will all be better boys and girls for having taken such an' interest in the care of your animals ..and you will all be better farmers later on for having learnt something about the rearing Of dairy stock and the choosing of dairy type. So we hope that the close of this year’s competition will see . you all determined to enter again and do even better next time. We would also like to repeat the .advice chat, is so often given ..by . the judges to continue to look after your animals and- bring them - back again/ in future years for further judging. Dont just turn, put your calf and forget all about it. There are sure to be times when you will have a few minutes, to spare and . can put; the halter on again and give th«» animal a little of the brushing and petting, that it. has learnt to.expect from you. Then next year you will have no difficulty in catching your yearling and bringing it along to school again for further judging.

' WEANING THE CALF. With the competition of the judging most of the calves will be weaned without a great deal of delay. . It is now most important, to remember that at no time in its life should the growing calf be allowed to go back in condition. This point was stressed in connection:, vrith the change over of food from new milk to skim or whey, when you were urged to bring about the change, gradually. The same advice applies how that you are thinking of weaning .your,, animal. Bring about the change gradually by reducing the quantities of food given from day to day until it is cut out This win mean that the half will have to depend more and more on the food it can gather in the way of : grass and clover, so it is most important that we. should again give attention for a-moment to -the question of pastures' for- calves. Remember that the calf ttmt.has been getting most of its food from fite bhcltet will not have the digestive /system to cope with any but the most fonder of grasses. Therefore we that toe -.weaner calf has the best of pasture? thafois one with good, short grass that; has "not been allowed to run up to seed. A' good place would be a cut for ensilage or hay and is- just. mak" ing growth again. This year especially the growth, of grass has been so abundant that without cutting it has been . impossible to keep the pasture grazed down as it should be for any Stock ,at qll., but particularly so for young stock.' The result is that everywhere the grasses are toll and coarse with the rye going to seed. This class of'feed is not very nutritious and, further, it hard: to digest, especially for the young animal. During the summer and autumn when .feed is ■ Iy ginning to dry up the calf should be. fed some lucerne, soft turnips, chop mqllier, or whatever green feed is grown on the farm in addition.to grass. The calf must also be carried through the winter -with plenty .of food, and again this food' must bb of the best, Lucerne dr clover hay,, together with, ensilage and roots in the shape of carrots, mangolds or swedes are all good, but again avoid such indigestible foods as coarse hay or waste ensilage. Here, as at all previous stages of the feeding, remember that-the food must be nutritious, digestible, palatable and not too bulky.

- PLOTS. , .... The November weather has been excellent for crops this year and in--al-most every case they have made a good start. Except where -a re-sowing ha? been necessary the ypung . plots, should , be showing well in the rows and no time should be lost in running, the hoe between the rows and in weeding and thinning out the plots. In this connection refer again fo your instructions and don’t thin put too wide apart. Eight tp ten inches should be ample for the mangolds unless the ground is very rich. With carrot crops . remember that the Guerande are not to be thinned but that the 100 Ton White should be thinned to about four inches. Cultivation at this stage need not be deep. A light hoeing between the rows will destroy the small weeds before they get well rooted and will also-form a miilch on the surface to prevent the evaportion of too much water from the

soil. - ----- TRANSPLANTING;’" If there are any gaps in the rows attention should be given to transplanting without further delay. When the plants - are small mangolds transplant readily and it is also possible to transplant carrots if care is taken. To get really ' good results the transplanting should be done as soon as the plants are big enough to handle,' that is, when they are about one inch high. At this stage the small phut has not very much yopt and if a trowel is used the whole plant can he lifted with a little soil and shifted' to its new position without any damage to the roots. The work should be done on a dull day when the ground is moist and, better still, in the evening. If there has been no rain when you are ready to do the job you should carry some water and soak the ground around the plants you are going to shift and also the ground where you arg going to plant. If the plants are at all big it will help them to stand'the shifting if you pinch off half the leaves.. ?. Great care should be taken in transplanting mangolds- to see that the small plants are not buried too deeply, This is a mistake that is very commonly made and - itris "always found that a, mangold makes very poor growth if the root is completely buried.

FENCING THE PLOT. - This is also a task that should receive early -attention and all competitors are urged to see that the fence , round the plot js absolutely stock proof. The number of plots that are destroyed by stock before judging I? now quite, small, but there are always a few. >s , ? f thipg is not only a great waste, but it is

also very disappointing to the competitors who are affected. If the plot is near the house it may be necessary io put netting round to keep out the fowls as these can do almost as much damage as stock to a crop. ; ■ •

No further time should be lost in sowing the swedes and silver beet, the last two crops for this competition. If the weather turns very dry a good soaking with water will help along the germination of the seed, but remember ‘to give the ground a good soaking. It. -is worse than useless to sprinkle the surface with water; Keep the hoe going between the rows, to keep down, weeds and provide a surface mulch. Read the notes given above in reference to transplanting as your beet and silver beet will transplant quite readily if care is taken. AU competitors are particularly urged to give some - attention to their plants during the holidays.:. If you are going away, for any length of time you . should get. your plot in first class order pefpre you - go • and.' if . possible make. arrangements for someone to do a little necessary. work from .time to time while you are -away., Then as,, soon, as you get hack' too time should be lost in getting out all weeds and lopgening up the soil. The holidays come just at a time when there is much to be done in a g .^ r^ n arid neglect at that time will spoil, the plot* " , i /.This-wilt be the last of this sepes. pf notes for some time, but if any competitor has any difficulty, a letter addressed to Boys’ and Girls’-Clubs; c/o Taranaki Daily News, Hawera, will be replied to.