Farm Topics

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18019, 6 November 1920, Page 9

Farm Topics

JOTTINGS. The total number of cattle in Japan is about 1,300,000 —horses, 1,500,000, sheep 4000, goats 109,000, and pigs 300,000. Woolsheds to accommodate 50,000 bales have recently been built at Hull, England. They cover 10 acres of ground under one roof, and are equipped -with the most up-to-date appliances for the quick handling of wool. During the last heavy rains, -when 12J in. fell at Coonable, N.S.W., in five days, the trefoil seed in the sheep’s wool sprouted, and it was a remarkable sight to see thousands of green sheep walking about and others feeding on them. It is estimated that there are more than 12,000 camels in the Commonwealth, and in the nor’-west. of West Australia at least 400 donkeys, according to a recent "census. Both classes of live stock are used almost entirely 7 for transport purposes. Donkeys are less liable to disease than horses.

Preliminary census returns indicate that for the first time in history the rural population of the United States will be exceeded by the dwellers in the cities. It is estimated that only 35 per cent, will classify as rural as against 53.7 in 1910. Forty years ago 70 per cent, of Americans lived in the country.

A Capetown message states that 500 Europeans and 5000 natives have assembled at Empangeni, in Zululand, with the object of commencing a monster game drive. The object is to combat the tsetse fly, which is prevalent, due to the presence of game, and is causing a deadly stock disease known as trypanosomiasis.

Mr J. G. Cook, Government wool instructor, recently made a careful survey of Mr J. C. Field’s well-known stud flocks, near Gisborne, and stated that the flocks were almost faultless, and the finest he had seen in the Dominion. The wool was without superfluous hair, and the condition of the sheep beyond praise. They were undoubtedly very fine breeding stock.

It is announced from Washington. U.S.A., that negotiations for an order for Wollen textiles worth £1,800,000 have been concluded between Canada and Roumania. The Canadian manufacturers will receive cash against documents at the port -of loading, according to arrangements with British financiers. Thirty-seven mills will participate in the o«der, which involves 1,900,000 yards of cloth and a considerable quantity of knitted goods.

Reports tom Asuncion state that the cattle industry in Paraguay is in a very serious condition owing to the three American meat-packing plants having suspended operations. The local demand cannot absorb the surplus, and values are now only 35 per cent, of what they were a year ago.

The following method of ridding paddocks of dead tree stumps has been used successfully in America: A hole 2 in. deep is bored from the top downwards during the winter. Into this is put 1J oz. of saltpetre and then filled with -water and plugged. In the spring the plug is withdrawn, a little kerosene oil poured into the holo and lighted. It is usually found that stumps so treated will smoulder away to every part qf the roots.

Wool consumption in the United States during 1919 totalled 627,000,000 lb. grease, equivalent, roughly, to 5K lb. per head. This was 113,000,000 lb. or 15 per cent, less than was used in 1918. The decrease is attributed in part to the fact that the 1918 consumption was unusually heavy, in order to meet the demands of war, and in part to the inacitivity of the industry during the early part of 11)19, because of the cancellation of Government contracts, serious labour disturbances, and the readjustment to a peace basis.

Whale meat is rapidly growing in favour in the United States and othercountries. It can be marketed fresh, frozen, corned or canned. It contains no bone or gristle, so there is no waste. It contains 30 per cent protein, 6 per cent fat and under 2 per cent ash. The humpback whale is the best for eating, and about six tons of edible meat may be obtained from each animal. The blue whale reaches the estimated weight of 75 tons, so there is - plenty of meat in the world yet. Thirty thousand cases w'ere canned and 195 tons frozen for the market in 1918 in the United States of America. This did not nearly supply the demand, so equipment is being increased. It sells at 2 5 cents (Is Old) a pound in New York.

The danger ot the indiscriminate feeding of Liverpool salt to sheep in drought time is illustrated by the experiences of a grazier in the Wagga District, New South Wales. The settler in question, whose sheep had ben on poor feed for some time, obtained a quantity of Liverpool (loose) salt, which he put out in the licks. The sheep ate it greedily and shortly afterwards deaths occurred all round the paddocks. The district stock inspector, Mr. Lyne, urges owners to use rock salt in pi*eference to Liverpool. Sheep cannot lick up more than is good for them of rock salt, but with-loose salt they may do so. If the latter must be used, it is wise to mix with, it a little sulphate of iron, which is good for the sheep and has a tendency to harden the salt and thus prevent over-eating.

SHEEP NOTES. It is never too early to buy a good ram, but it is often too late. Change of pasture will often prevent a change in the robust health of the floJft. Sheep have been called the sheet anchor of British prosperity. They are found on almost every farm there.

Don’t get down on a good ewe because she is thin. It may be that two big husky lambs have made her so. Uniformity is what counts in the beauty of a farm flock. It is half the fun of keeping sheep to see them all look just alike.

There isn’t a man living whd could have predicted the past year’s sheep or wool market. Why do so many think they can correctly forecast that of the coming year? Along with the sad stories of heavy winter losses from storm and starvation in America, come more cheerful ones of all sheep well out on to pasture with from 125 to 150 per cent of lambs trimmed and ready to grow.

American sheep will never look like English sheep, for they will never have Engish shepherds to care for them. A life work makes perfect workmen. Feeding hogs one year, cattle the next and sheep later makes poor shepherds. For years we have had no trouble with the once dreaded foot rot in sheep. The dry pastures seem to be a. cure for this trouble even when it does exist.

WHAT IS THE MATTER MYTH BREEDERS? This question was recently propounded by r. perplexed stockman of the United States of America. The question that was perplexing him is one that has a continental application. “We have been taking our good money over to Europe for 200 years now,” he complained, “and one would think that America would now be filled with very hfgh class bred and graded stock. Instead we have a class of live stock that any European farmer would be ashamed to have around his barns. What’s the matter with us?”

Speaking of'dairy cattle in particular, we would respectfully advance the opinion that, as a people, we lack stability (answers the “Montreal Star.”) We don’t take hold of a good thing and stay with it. We have taken that good imported blood and mixed it most unmercifully. In older lands the son breeds the same kind of stock as his father and grandfathen and great grandfather did before him. Then lie trains his son to follow in his footsteps. More than that, districts specialise and we find all Jerseys in Jersey and all Ayrshires in Ayrshire. That is real constructive breeding. In this country, how ofteq we see a father spend a life time in building up a fine herd, say of Jerseys, and his son immediately sells them and goes into Shorthorns. In one small neighbourhood we may find all four dairy breeds, as many breeds of swine and several kinds of horses. We will never get anywhere with such a policy as this and particularly is this true of the i dairy industry. Live stock in this country will begin when we, as inI dividuals, and perhaps as communi- | ties also, select one breed and stay i with it, whether we have grade, or I registeerd stock.