CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume I, Issue 6, 15 November 1910, Page 449

CORRESPONDENCE.

Cow-testing.—Dairy-factory Directors.—Lotus major. J. J. M., Harihari, writes as follows : (a.) As I intended to go in for cow-testing this season, the article published in your August number was of particular interest to me. I had been in communication with Mr. Cuddie regarding Testing Associations, and have been endeavouring to start one. I think, if all the farmers received a copy of your ournal, they would have more inclination for finding out the “ boarders ” among their cows. In testing cows is it left to the sense of the farmer, or is he credited with the knowledge of how to feed his cows ? The main fault with most dairymen is that they overstock : that has been my own personal blunder up to lately, and a lot of my neighbours are realizing the same fact. Touching on this point, I should very much like to know Mr. B. Schwarz’s system of feeding his cows, area of farm, &c. (see August Journal, page 216). (ft.) Being one of the directors of the local factory, it has often struck me it would be a grand thing if you prepared an article on the duties of a director, what to know, &c. How many directors are figure-heads through not knowing this branch of the industry ! (c.) If I am not trespassing on your patience, I would like to know a little about Lotus major. Three years ago we sowed | lb. of this seed to the acre, mixed with other expensive seeds, thinking that we were laying down a good permanent pasture, the land being black scrub and totara. The grub has dispelled this —eaten out everything, apparently. In the usual course fog and clover appear in a year or two ; but the paddock in which I included the Lotus major is coming fast — fact, it is monopolizing every spare space, and will evidently spread everywhere. Is it good pasture feed, and is it permanent ? At first I thought it was a weed, but the cows seem to eat it readily. Would it be advisable to sow it in swampy land ? It seems partial to that, situation, but will it kill all other grasses, such as cocksfoot ? I have 300 acres of this particular class of land (swampy), but grand soil, and should like advice on this point. If it beats the fog it appears to me to be worthy- of attention.

The Director of Dairy-produce replies, — ' (a.) In cow-testing as carried out at Dalefield and elsewhere the system of feeding of. the cows is left to the farmer ; advice on this or. any other point in dairying will always be given if asked for. Mr. B. Schwarz, Matamata, has very kindly acceded to the request for information regarding his farm and management, as follows: — . ' . “In reply to your inquiry: My farm is 159 acres leasehold, valued at £6 15s. per acre, but I only use 60 acres for dairying, and graze young cattle and horses on the remainder. I think most farms in this country are too big, 60 to 80 acres being quite enough, in my opinion,. for one man to look after profitably. Last season I milked nineteen cows (the results of which you have published) on 60 acres, besides running four horses and a bull on the same area. This year I have one cow less, but the same number of horses, and a bull, on the same area. Brom eighteen cows, two of which have been milking for one year and three months, my best day’s milk was 921 lb., which is a little over 51 lb. of milk per cow. My test is 3-3 for the last week. I have the 60 acres divided into ten paddocks, with water laid on in each paddock, and do not keep the cows more than three days or three nights on the same paddock, and believe in giving them the best paddock at night, when the dew is on it, if possible. I decidedly object to a dog about my cows, or a bad milker. Ido most of the milking myself. As this land is of a light nature, it cannot very well be compared with the high-priced Taranaki land, but with proper treatment good results can be got.” (&.) On application to the Director of Dairy-produce an officer of the Division will visit any district and explain the duties of directors of co-operative dairy companies and all points relating to the working and management of a dairy factory. An article in the first number of this Journal (June, 1910), page 28, gives very full information on the subject.

The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms replies, . (c.) Lotus major is much appreciated, on very similar country in the Waikato. It has also been useful at the Ruakura Experimental Farm. It must, however, be remembered that, although this plant provides a quantity of feed in the spring and early summer, other herbage must be depended upon during the rest of the year. It is not permanent, and to insure its presence the plant should be allowed to seed. Perennialized Italian Rye-grass. J. M., Northern Wairoa, asks, — Would you let me know if Italian rye-grass perennialized is a good grass for dairy cows ? If so, could I get some seed ? The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms replies,— It is not known if the so-called perennial Italian rye-grass is yet obtainable in New Zealand. In Europe it is claimed that such a grass has been secured by continuous selection, and many valuable qualities are attributed to it. Inquiries are being made by the Department in respect to this grassso far, however, without > result. It may be accepted that such a grass would be good for dairy cows. Italian ■ rye-grass provides a luxuriance of herbage, and is relished by all stock. If such a grass could be made perennial a very great success would be obtained. The result of the inquiries of the Department will be published in this Journal. Shorn v. Unshorn Lambs. A. M., Otoko, writes, — . Re shorn versus unshorn lambs, in your August issue : From the tone of your article I take it that you consider the experiment complete. Like many others, I have always believed in shearing lambs, and I should be pleased to see further experiments made. I consider that on two points the shorn lambs did not get a fair trial: Firstly, the lambs left unshorn were the best lot to begin with, and it is therefore probable that the difference in the result was due more to the breed and constitution of the sheep themselves than to the treatment they received. Naturally one would expect the best lambs to develop into the best sheep. Secondly, as far as my experience goes, I believe January too late for shearing lambs. I have always noticed that November and December shorn lambs do better right through than those shorn later. I have at times seen straggler lambs shorn as late as March, but they usually seem to make a poor show in winter. Trusting these suggestions will be of use in later experiments. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms replies, — The experiment will be continued this year, making it an essential that the lambs are equal. It is pointed out, however, that the shearing of lambs in November or the early part of December is almost useless for the purpose, the clip obtained is so small. The lambs were shorn at the usual time obtaining in the northern district. In any case the experiment will be repeated, for it cannot be accepted that one trial affords a sufficient demonstration. Manures and Experiments. J. W., Honikiwi, inquires, — I should like to ask if you could publish in the Journal of Agriculture a list of all manures and their analyses. I think it would help a lot of farmers if this were done. I am trying a few different kinds of manures as a top dressing on some grass, also with some oats, although it is done in a rough sort of a way. If you would like the result, I will send it to you when I cut the grass and oats. Does the Department assist in any way if any one experiments with manures ? Please answer this through the ournal.

The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms answers, —

A list of manures and their analyses is in preparation. The result of your experiments in top-dressing grass and oats will be received with pleasure ; any information of this kind is always welcome. Many farmers have availed themselves of the co-operation of the Department in carrying out experiments on their farms. The Department supplies the scheme, the seed, and the manure, and supervises the work, while the farmer provides the land and the labour, and retains the crop.

Kumara-culture. J. W. C. T. asks,— (1.) Is the kumara subject to potato-blight or any other serious disease ? If not, could it be cultivated commercially, say, in the Wellington Province ? (2.) What is the proper method of culture ? (3.) Is it of sufficient value as a food to be worth improving and popularizing ? I understand the kumara is an important crop with the Maoris,, and is also much favoured by our own people. It seemed to me there might be possibilities for it, and I am thinking of trying it at Silverstream. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms replies,— The sweet-potato kumara lipomata batatas) is quite a different plant from the ordinary potato, and is not subject to the same diseases. The kumara was introduced from Polynesia by the Maoris. It once formed the most important item of the vegetable dietary. It is not now in very general use, as it requires a warm aspect, a fertile loamy soil, and most thorough cultivation. It is not likely that this plant could be cultivated with successful commercial results over any extended area in the Wellington District; the suitable conditions of climate and soil are not present,, and the cultivation is costly. To the European palate the kumara is found cloying, and is not acceptable for general consumption. The plants are produced from sets specially raised in hotbeds or on well-fertilized soils in warm situations. Tubers (“ roots ”) are planted closely in these prepared beds or frames about the end of September. When the young plants are from 2 in. to 4 in. high they are detached from the parent tuber or root. The young plants orsets are then planted out in hills or rows 24 in. apart. The upper bud only is left exposed. The soil, of necessity, must be a deep, rich, well-drained, friable loam; the cultivation must be thorough until the vines cover the ground, then care may be relaxed. There are other means of propagation, by cuttings from the vines. The mode first described is probably the most useful.

SALE OF HOLSTEIN BULLS.

The following Holstein yearling bulls from the Weraroa Experimental Farm were sold by auction at Palmerston North on 3rd November : - Sire, Kruger, the Property of J. Grigg, Longbeach. No. I.—Dam, Redwing. Period in milk, September 24, 1909, to July 14, 1910. Milk, 9,113 lb. ; average test, 3-5 per cent. ; total fat, 318'9 lb. Price, 47 guineas. No. 2.Dam, Manola. Period in milk, September 30, 1909, to July 21, 1910. Milk, 11,304 lb. ; average test, 3 per cent. ; total fat, 339 lb. Highest day’s milk, 84 lb ; highest week of seven days, 551 lb. ; test, 3'B percent. Price, 73 guineas. No. 3.—Dam, Greba (heifer). Period of milk, December 17, 1909, to July 31, 1910. Milk, 5,982 lb. ; average test, 3 per cent. ; total fat, 179-4 lb. Price, 30 guineas.