“NO FLIES ON IT”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 14

“NO FLIES ON IT”

BOROUGH PIG FARMING. Thlat there arc “no flies on the Plymouth, borough pig farm” was the conclusion reached by a visitor who made an inspection of the place with the particular object of looking for these pests, or at all events observing whether or not the general conditions under which the 1 pigs are reared and kept would be specially propitious for the propagation of flies. The visit to the farm wtas made by a “Taranaki Herald” representative, and arose out of a suggestion made by Councillor G. A. Colson at a meeting that there were “more flies at the borough pig farm than in the whole Taraniaki.”

The present, of course, is not a time, nor are the conditions anywhere likely at the moment, to be specially conducive to the propagation of this particular pest, but it must be admitted at once that the number of flies seen by two men who were looking for them, in some time spent on the farm, could probably have been counted on the fingers of a man’s hand, and the conditions under which the pigs are kept were much more favourable than those which the writer has seen in places where very many fewer animals have been kept. After the excessively wet season experienced, one would be apt to contemplate a visit to a pig farm with some feelings of apprehension, *and with at least a belief in the necessity of being equipped with adequate protection by means of some effective deodorizer. Such precautions, however, in this ease, proved unnecessary, and any apprehensions that may have been entertained were soon dispelled. There is at the borough pi£ farm ian area of 'about 12 acres, hal£. of ' which, roughly, is in use. This gives ample opportunity for the moving of the animals from place to place, which effectively prevents them from becoming steeped in mud and slush and filth. The sandy of the country op which they pigs are kept also ensures that moisture, even to an excessive degree, is quickly absorbed. On this area there larp about 130 pigs and “piglets.” and in only one small corner of the place was there anything approaching bog, or which gave rise to any stench whatsover, and this patch was rapidly drying. The town refuse, which is suitable for feeding to pigs, is collected independently of other rubbish and is received in. a number of large barrels at the depot, and as these are emptied they are washed out and kept fresh. These were very carefully scrutinised during the visit and flies would have found little of interest to them even if they had been there. The only conclusion that one could come to was that if there are more flies at the piggery than in the whole of Taranaki, then this province must be singularly ■' f ’-en of the pest. Of course Councillor Colson qualified his comment by referring to summer time conditions, but if the condition of the piggery is as he suggested, the proportion would no doubt be maintained throughout the ' ynar as between that area and the rest lof the province. At the form, too, in 1 the summer time a powerful spray is i used to counteract the fly menace, and , from till that was seen and smelt onr [representative came a wav with the i impression firmlv fixed that pig farm--1 ?ng could scarcely bo carried on under better conditions than those nbtaininp''i- the borough piggerv. The fset [ should not bo lost sight nf also that the piggerv i<? a considerable distance from any dwelling-house.