For the Man on the Land

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3419, 13 February 1936, Page 7

For the Man on the Land

BADLY ARRANGED

AUSTRALIAN FARMERS’ TOUR OPINION OF FARMERS’ UNION The opinion that the recent visit of the South Australian farmers to the Waikato was handled very casually was expressed by Mr S. N. Ziman, president of the Waikato executive of the Farmers’ Union at a meeting in Hamilton last week. Mr Ziman said the Tourist Department and the Dominion office of the Farmers’ Union should have organised the tour beforehand. Had it not been for the energetic efforts of the Waikato executive’s secretary, Mr W. H. Allen, there would have been no reception in the Waikato at all. Mr Ziman said the only information the executive had of the tour was received from the auctioneering firms, and that was inadequate. The visitors had not come on a pleasure trip, but to inspect stock with a view to purchase. Mr Allen said the visitors were not given a reception in Auckland at all. It was decided to ask the Tourist Department to give more information concerning similar tours in the future.

CARE OF NEW-BORN FOALS DEVELOPING STRONG ANIMALS The market value of sound, wellbred horses to-day, both heavy and light, certainly justifies every care being taken in rearing. The most common direct cause of loss among foals is, undoubtedly, blood-poison-ing through the navel cord, though poor condition of the dam, due to improper feeding or lack of exercise during pregnancy, may also be a contributing factor by resulting in deficient vitality in the offspring.

It should be the aim of the breeder to produce and raise vigorous foals that will develop into strong, useful horses, with plenty of staying power. For this it is a first essential that the mare be managed and fed in an intelligent fashion, particularly during the latter months of gestation. Over-feeding and pampering during pregnancy should be avoided, and care taken to ensure sufficient exercise.

While the pregnant mare should be given no chance to over-strain herself at work—as by “backing” a heavy load when in shafts—it is also equally important to provide regular exercise, up to the first three or four weeks, at least. In the case of a farm mare this may best take the form of working in chains, as at ploughing, or ahead of another animal which is in shafts, when on carting work. The desirability of preventing any sudden fright or violent galloping towards the end of the gestation period is obvious.

For the mare’s diet as she nears parturition there is nothing better than good oats, preferably crushed, scalded bran, and long hay, supplemented by a few roots or a little green fodder. Foaling is best arranged to occur in a roomy loose-ibox, thoroughly

cleansed and disinfected for the occasion, and well bedded with fresh straw. | New Zealand Seed Growing.—The seed-growing industry in New Zealand is beginning to have greater attention paid to it than in the past, and in Marlborough in particular there are large areas under cultivation for seed production. The possibilities of the industry were discussed recently in Blenheim by Mr C. W. Parker, who has returned from a visit to Great Britain. He said that in his opinion there was reason for confidence in the future of New Zealand’s seeds market, but growers would have to be satisfied with somewhat lower prices owing to increased competition, notably from Continental countries.

They had a short way with smokers in days gone by, in Turkey. Anyone found indulging had his nose pierced, and his pipe thrust through the hole! Doubtless some present day enemies of the weed would like to see the old Turkish method of discouraging smokers revived and generally adopted! But despite all the abuse heaped upon it and all the attempts made to suppress it, smoking is now more popular than ever. Everywhere the consumption of tobacco is rapidly increasing. Here in New Zealand the increased demand has been especially noticeable of late years owing to the increased popularity of “toasted,” now generally recognised as the purest and least harmful of all tobaccos, thanks to the manufacturer’s special toasting process which not only frees it to a large extent of its nicotine but helps lo give it its peculiarly fine flavour and delightful aroma. Ask for (and be careful to get) any of the genuine toasted brands—Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshcad), Biverhead Gold, or Desert Gold—and you’ll avoid imitations.*

You haven’t read all the News till you’ve read the advertisements!