NOTES AND COMMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Local Entries Only To eliminate any suggestion of professionalism, the Matamata Agricultural and Pastoral Association has decided to limit entries in the home industries section at its show’ next Saturday to exhibitors living within 25 miles of Matamata. Success With Copra Some very successful trials with copra have been conducted in the Waikato. Those at Mr A. Topham’s farm, Kereone, Morrinsville, have been most encouraging and have demonstrated the value of copra. Six of the pigs that' were in the tribal have already been killed and they are to be cured by the Internal Marketing Department. The pigs were fed copra right up to the time of killing but no trace of oiliness was discovered in the carcases. Supplies of Copra It has been proved that copra is a valuable pig food but will there be sufficient supplies available in the Waikato during the winter? Mr C. P. Harington, supervisor for the Waikato District Pig Council, states that from the shipment of copra arriving in March only 800 tons are coming to the Auckland Province. This is considered to be a very small share particularly in view of the fact that the next shipment is not expected until some time in June. With barley practically unavailable, the position will be serious if supplies of copra are insufficient Shows Next Month Next month will be a busy period for show exhibitors for there will be no fewer than six shows on the Waikato circuit. The Matamata Show will be held next Saturday, followed by the Cambridge Show on Wednesday, March 5, Morrinsville Show on Saturday, March 8, Otorohanga Show on Tuesday, March 11, and the Putaruru Show on Saturday, March 22. More Members The success of pig clubs in the Waikato is indicated by their growing membership, which was indicated at recent annual meetings. Six new members have joined the Te Kowhai Club, while other clubs are also able to boast of substantial increases. Other features of recent meetings were that the Otorohanga Club had a credit balance of £4O and the successful Te Poi Club was running three sows. Molasses For Ensilage Arrangements have been made by the British Ministry of Supply for adequate quantities of molasses to be reserved for the use of British farmers making ensilage. Since it is necessary that supplies of molasses should be: used economically, it has been decided that quantities in excess of one barrel (about 40 gallons) shall be obtainable only by permits issued by the appropriate District Agricultural Executive Committee. Any farmer who needs more than 40 gallons of molasses for making silage must apply to his executive committee stating the quantity of silage it is proposed to make, the amount of molasses required and the date by which the molasses will be needed. The Freemartin The freemartin is an abnormality and is invariably sterile. When twins are born in cattle and one is a male and the other a female, it usually happens that the latter assumes some characteristics of the former, or what is probably more correct, the spayed heifer. She does not answer to the seasons and never breeds. This condition has been found to be due to membranes surrounding each of the twins during the intra-uterine period growing together so that the circulation of the brother and sister becomes one. Certain substances in the male blood which gain access to the female inhibit the development of the female organs, and though at birth the twins separate, the female fails to recover the normal condition and consequently fails to breed.