WOMAN'S NEEDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXV, Issue 11744, 6 August 1913, Page 6

WOMAN'S NEEDS.

Gently-nurtured women, robust women, and girls and women delicately formed find that whenever the system needs a laxative, the most gentle and wholesome remedy is California Syrup of Figs. It has met with woman's world-wide acceptance because it is a natural remedy that does all that is claimed for it, without ever overstepping the bounds of prudence and causing tho slightest ill-effect. California Syrup of Figs commends itself particularly to women for many reasons. It is exceeding pleasant to take, acts gently yet promptly with a laxative effect that is so beneficial to the system, and so soothing and strengthening to the delicate organs at fault. It not only cleanses the bowels and removes impurities which, if neglected, cause all manner of functional derangements, such as headache, biliousness, etc., but it acts also as a tonic, fortifying the-system, and-encouraging regularity, thus overcoming by degrees the" tendency to habitual constipation which works so much mischief in many women's lives. California Syrup of Figs—" Nature'» Pleasant Laxative" is a remedy that should be in every home, for constipation and its attendant dangers are ever present. It is the ideal laxative for. children, being so mild, safe and strengthening afterwards, whilst its pleasant taste makes it readily acceptable to those who otherwise object to medicine in any shape or form. Be exact, ask for "'California Syrup of Figs," and look for the name and blue-ring trademark of the California Fig Syrup Co. roots of plants. The reason of so many worn-out paddocks is that the top-soil has been exhausted of. plant food and organic matter, little thought being given to the fact that if the hard pan were broken, and the sub-soil stirred in some manner, the depth of the top-soil would soon be considerably increased, the soil aerated to a great depth, and the value of cultivation enhanced by the capacity of the soil to hold more moisture. When one comes to realise that the results of all crops, whether fruit tree crops, wheat or vegetables depend on the root system, and that the freedom of the root system is of vital importance; and when one pauses to consider the depth that these roots penetrate, if encouraged, one is led to be astonished that any results are obtained in many cases from crops planted on the top of a hard and impervious sub-soil. It has been proved that in a porous or opened-up sub-soil the roots of wheat have penetrated to a depth of 4ft, potatoes 9ft, lucerne 10ft and maize 4ft. It naturally follows that deeprooted plants are more drought-resist-ing, for their root area is not confined, and the fertility of the soil is not depleted so soon." The roots of orchard trees too frequently keep too near the surface, because the main roots have not been encouraged to go down by loosening tho sub-soil. It is estimated that ih one inch of rainfall 23,000 gallons fall on an acre, so it is easily realised what a lot of moisture has to be stored and retained in the sub-soil to grow crops with satisfactory results. It follows, therefore, that it is of vital importance that, irrespective of constant cultivation, the subsoil should be brought into a condition necessary to enable it to absorb all available rainfall. In a great number of instances sub-soiling is required, not underground drainage, thereby enabling the ground to obtain more moisture. A further great advantage of sub-soiling is that after t *av\ rain, the land drains quicker, and often valuable time is saved in this respect. How often do wo see days and days wasted through not being able to get at important work on the land; and when we do get there, how many of us see the "wash" caused, gutters opened up, and good soil carried away by the wash. Slugs and Snails. Philosophers, good easy men. who sit in their armchairs, tell us that everything has its use on earth, and it may be assumed that the slimy slug is not without its destined purpose —inscrutable as the good purpose may seem to us. At any rate, when the work of the slug and the interests of the farmer and gardener are at variance, it is evident duty of man to oppose, with such success as he is able to command, the work of the mollusc. What measures can be adopted? The following are suggested:— A mixture of fine ordinary slaked lime with 4 per cent of caustic soda added had a beneficial effect, even when applied once. It was not found to injure young peas, cabbages, etc., over which it was dusted.

Salt at the rate of four to five bushels, and lime at the rate of ten to twelve bushels per acre, with the addition of caustic soda, acted in a very similar way. Either of these dressings may be applied iv the field broadcast in early morning or late at night.

White hydroxide of calcium in 1 per cent, solution is used to destroy slugs. Tn gardens, slugs may be successfully trapped by placing here and there small heaps of bran mash or liquid oatmeal; brewers' grains also answer well for this purpose. These baits will be found to attract large numbers of slugs, which can then be easily collected and put in pails of quick-lime. Good results are said to have been obtained by using ordinary wood-ash, dusted over the infested plants when dew was on the leaf.

Where land has been badly infested with slugs, and many young slugs arc seen, the soil should bo dressed with gas-lime in late autumn, and after six weeks deeply trenched.

Snails are more difficult to deal with on a large scale, biit are more affected by soot than slugs. As long as soot is fresh they do not care to crawl over it, and so may be kept away. In gardens hand-picking is by far the best plan. Rockeries and ferneries in gardens are generally centres from which snails spread. All rough herbage on aud around these should be cleared off in winter, and tho masses of snails collected and destroyed, and the whole dusted with soot in the spring. Seedlings' are best protected by heavy borders of lime. Rows of peas, beans, etc., may also be protected by spreading barley awns or cinders and lime along the rows. Frequently invasion comes from a neighbouring hedge or wood. When this occurs a trench should be dug and filled with gas-lime or tar, to prevent the advance of the mollusca. Thrushes should be encouraged, as they destroy numbers of snails at all times of the year.

Both ducks and fowls do much good in keeping down both classes of these molluscan pests, and should be turned on the land whenever possible during and after an attack —ducks especially when slugs are the culprits, fowls when snails have been in abundance.

Ailments of Sheep and Horses. Mr Primmer, a Government officer, will deliver addresses <.n tho juir-ents of ;..hecp a; id hor-us at Gladstone tomorrow and Tenui on Friday. As Mr Primmer is a speaker who thoroughly understands these he will bo able to impart much valuable information to farmers, and thoso men on the land who are not yet too old to lean) should not miss the opportunity of

hearing the lecture. The Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union is deserving of great credit for inaugurating a series of valuable lectures such as these.