ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 4, Issue 6, 15 June 1912, Page 529

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

. Some Dairying Queries. f Mr. W. F. Coombridge, Te Kiri, writes, — I should, be very much obliged if the Department would, through its valuable Journal, treat upon the following questions. . ■ ‘Everyone is quite satisfied with the great value of culling cows by testing, but is the principle of paying out on the butter-fat for cheesemaking a right one ? Take, for example, the Jersey supplier who delivers at factory 1001 b. of milk containing 5 per cent, of butter-fat, for which he receives 55., and the Holstein or Ayrshire man' who supplies 1001 b. of milk containing 3-5 per cent, butter-fat, for which he receives 3s. 6d., or a difference in favour of the Jersey of Is. 6d. in every 100 of milk supplied, although from the lower-testing milk as much cheese is said to be made. Could this difficulty be overcome by allowing companies to skim milk down until it should contain an average of, say, 3-4 or 3-5 per cent, of butter-fat, which could then be made into cheese containing a fixed percentage of butter-fat ? Again, a company making butter decides to turn its skim-milk into casein. Would it be' workable to pay the supplier for the actual casein contained in his milk, the same as he is paid for the butter-fat it contains ? Would the usual sample taken for butter-fat be sufficient for the casein test? Would the casein test entail much extra work for the manager ? / The Dairy Produce Division replies, ... ■ The principle of paying for milk for cheesemaking according to its butterfat content is, generally speaking, a right one, because, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the fat and the casein (the two chief solid constituents of milk for cheese) are in a fairly constant and even ratio in the milk of herds as supplied to our cheese-factories. Exception may be taken to the milk of purebred Jersey cows, however, as the ratio of fat to casein is somewhat higher in this breed, but it is not correct to assume that an equal quantity of milk of the Jerseys and of the other two breeds cited will make an equal quantity of cheese; consequently the ■ difficulty the inquirer speaks of is non-existent. Tampering with milk by skimming '■ or by any other means to reduce the fat-content is not permissible. It is expressly ■' laid down in effect that milk for the manufacture of whole-milk cheese shall be : - pure and as the cow gives it, to which nothing is added' and nothing taken away. As a general rule the milk supplied to cheese-factories is mostly from herds of cows of mixed breeding. Herds of exclusive Jersey, Holstein, or Ayrshire blood are very much in a minority at present. The average quality of milk is about 4-0 per cent. . fat-content, and in general cheese-factory practice to-day 100 lb. of such milk yields A. 10 lb. of commercial cheese ready for export. 100 lb. of pure Jersey milk testing 5 per cent, fat would possibly yield 12 lb. of cheese, and a like quantity of milk from the other two breeds would likely produce 9-1 lb. of cheese. The fairness or otherwise of paying by the butter-fat content —hearing in mind the very small number of herds composed of nothing other than one of the special breeds named, and taking the value of milk at Is. per pound butter-fat, which is equal to, say, 4 1 8 d. per . pound of cheese mademay be indicated in the following way :—■ .

Your range of 1-5 per cent, difference in the fat-quality of the herds is rather a wide one. The actual range of difference is probably much less. To illustrate this further, however : If a cow of each breed, as represented by you, gives during a milking season milk in which is 200 lb. of fat, the yields and payments on the fat and also on the cheese-yielding basis would work out as follows :

From a factory or manufacturing point'of view these figures suggest that the dairyfarmer who is using milk from the third variety of cows is possibly doing himself much better justice than is the owner of the second breed of cows. . In this connection it may be stated that at a co-operative cheese-factory in Taranaki, where a somewhat unusual proportion of the milk supplied is from herds of the' Jersey stock, the company in conjunction with ■ this Division ' are testing all milk received for both fat and casein. On the conclusion of the season’s work the-results will be available for publication. Whether the work of testing Or both fat and casein is worth the time and energy it is necessary to spend on it in the Dominion is at this moment unsettled. Should it be demonstrated that it is inadvisable to use Jersey milk for cheesemaking, it is fair to assume that our dairymen generally will settle the question in a practical manner by using the milk for buttermaking, or by disposing of the stock to dairymen who have other uses than cheesemaking for the milk. . '

It would be quite.workable to pay the supplier for the actual casein contained in his skim-milk; but it is very doubtful whether it would be worth while taking samples from the skim-milk for the purpose of ascertaining. the casein-content, as the usual sample taken for ascertaining the butter-fat content would be sufficient, for both purposes. The making of the casein test would entail about as much time as, or perhaps a little less than, testing for butter-fat. ■ . '

Disease attacking Sunflowers.

A Correspondent writes,- — - . ' Last year I planted an acre in sunflowers. They came up well, but when they were about a foot high they began one by one to blacken and die. They continued until even now, and those that have seed-pads (as they may be called) keep rotting away. It seems like a mildew on them. What ails them ? Is there a special disease which attacks them ? ' ■ The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies, It is not possible without specimens to say what disease is attacking the sunflowers. If one or two of-the plants are forwarded here they will be examined, and a report sent you.

Nitro-bacterine

L. A. M., Hastings, writes, — 'Kindly inform me through your “Answers to Correspondents” how and where nitro-bacterine is obtainable, and the method of applying same to seed-potatoes ; also what kind of artificial manures to apply to the soil when seed-potatoes are treated with nitro-bacterine. ~ i ~ - The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — Nitro-bacterine is obtainable from the Review of Reviews office, Melbourne, or from J. A. Lutz, indent agent, Bank Chambers, Lambton Quay, Wellington, - N.Z. Nitro-bacterine cannot be recommended as a fertilizing agent for potatoes.

It is usually advertised as a fertilizer for leguminous plants only. Speaking generally, the main fertilizing ingredient required in this country is phosphoric acid. Nitrogen is not required to anything like the same extent.

' . -- Thousand-headed Kale. “ Thousand-head,” Auckland, writes, — Could you please answer the following question through the medium of your valuable Journal: If milking-cows were fed on Thousand-headed kale judiciously—that is for, say, only two or three hours immediately after milking—would the milk be tainted so that a factory, would be likely to refuse it, and if so, would the fact that the cream is pasteurized at the factory— supply a factory which only deals with home-separated creambe sufficient to nullify any undesirable flavour ? The Director of Dairy Produce Division replies,' If Thousand-headed kale is fed to cows immediately after milking, and in reasonable quantities, the milk and cream should not be affected detrimentally in flavour. Pasteurization' is always helpful in minimizing flavours that are caused by the feed the cows may be eating, although it is by no means a cure for all the defects in milk or cream.

Shelter Trees.

Mr. Wm. G. Fry, Punga Iwi, Feilding; writes, — What trees would you advise planting in small belts for shelter for stock ? Could Ijplant anything that could be cut out in the future for fencing timber ? Would there be any danger of common wattle spreading ? The land was originally heavy bush. Part of it is light and rather stony on a loose subsoil: the rest is fairly heavy clay land. . When would you advise planting ? The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies, — I would recommend the planting of Acacia decurrens (Black-wattle). This variety does not sucker like the Silver-wattle (Acacia dealbata'), which, on account of its suckering propensities, is not recommended for planting on farms or home- ' steads. Acacia decurrens is a quick-growing tree, and the timber is useful for posts, &c., and also makes excellent firewood. It should be raised from the seed, which should be sown in the spring where the trees are to grow permanently, in well prepared land. The quantity of seed required will be at the rate of f lb. per acre. Overnight from twelve to twenty-four hours before planting pour boiling water into a vessel, and at once tip the wattle-seed into it. The steeping will cause germination to commence, and also the exudation of a certain amount of gum. The gum should be washed away, two or three changes of water probably being required to do so effectively. The seed should then be spread out to dry for, say, half an hour, care being taken that the exposure is not sufficiently long to do more than to remove the moisture from the outside of the skin, and not in any way to check the germination, already commenced. If there should still be any . trace of stickiness left a light sprinkling of wood-ashes will correct it. In this condition the seed can now be drilled into the prepared land to a depth of | in. in two rows 6 ft. apart, with bonedust added at the rate of 1 cwt. per acre.

Grasses, Sheep, and Shelter-trees. “ Tussock,” Fairlie, writes, — I have a fairly large area of pastoral country lying from 2,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. above sea-level. There is a good extent of fairly easy tussock downs; but, as the previous owner evidently burnt the country off every time he got a chance, there is not too much tussock left in places, and very little grass anywhere. The land is mostly stony, with a few inches of black soil in places elsewhere there is a yellow clay but on the whole it can be said that as far as appearances go there is sufficient soil to form a seed-bed

over most of it. In addition to a small, kind of tussock an equally small variety of capeweed seems to be the only plant able to grow in places. As lam anxious to improve the carrying-capacity of the land, I would be glad if you could give me any advice likely to be of service. Would any of the following grasses prove suitable for surface growing, and when would you sow: Kentucky blue-grass, couch-grass, crested dogstail, cocksfoot, yarrow, small yellow trefoil, white clover, and timothy in damp or swampy places ? Would the native grass growing on the hills around Wellington, and forming such a thick sward, be likely to do well ? Would it be advisable to plant gorse or broom along the creek and river-beds ? Is there more than one variety of gorse, and, if so, which is the best to plant for sheep-feed ? What quantity of seed would I need to sow to the acre, and should I refrain from burning in future ? Would light or heavy stocking make much difference on such country as I have described ? I should also be glad if you would inform me if there is any standard work published dealing with the half-bred sheep, and, if so, where it is obtainable, and also what are the chief drawbacks of the Corriedale compared with the first-cross half-bred. As I am building a homestead, I would be glad if the names of a few shelter-trees likely to succeed in this district could be supplied. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— The Department itself is now but testing many varieties of grasses on similar country. It would therefore be premature to advise until it has satisfied itself in the first instance. The experimental plot near Whaleback, in Mackenzie country, - may be of interest to this correspondent, and is not too great a distance from the Inspector at Fairlie. Mr. Manning, Inspector of Babbits and Noxious Weeds, Fairlie, will be pleased to supply any information regarding this and other experimental plots to any one interested. The Live-stock and Meat Division replies,— On suitable country the Corriedale is an excellent sheep for all-round purposes. Being still more or less in the evolutionary stage, more skilful management is necessary in selection, mating, and culling, to maintain a good Corriedale flock than may be essential in the case of half-breds, the demand for which is in excess of the supply. lam not aware of any standard work on half-bred sheep. The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies, — The following trees should prove very suitable for shelter planting in your district: Pinus muricata (Bishop’s pine), which is a dense-growing tree, is one of the best for shelter planting; Pinus austriaca (Austrian pine), splendid sheltertree, timber suitable for posts; Abies Douglasii (Douglas fir), timber valuable ; Pinus ponderosa (Bull pine).

Grass-grub.

W. Petrie, Foxton, writes, — Will you kindly advise me of the best method of killing the grass-grub. My lawn sown down last May is badly affected, at present in one place. The grubs are very plentiful about an inch below the surface. If you can advise me of a cure I shall feel very much obliged. The Biologist replies,— I should advise digging the infested patch in your lawn and dressing the same with a soil-fumigant, such as Vaporite or Apterite, at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre. In not less than six weeks’ time sow down with Chewing’s fescue and keep well rolled during the summer. Vaporite is now sold very widely throughout New Zealand. •

Oats and Vetches.

“ Subscriber,” Cambridge, writes,In February last I sowed some Algerian.oats and vetches mixed, with:them 3 cwt. of manure to the acre. The oats and vetches grew all right until about the’beginning]of

April; but since then the vetches have withered up, and the oats have gone more or less brown and rusty, as per enclosed sample. I should esteem it a favour if you could tell me what is wrong. Last year I sowed Italian rye-grass, and before the season was over it died out. It is rolling land with about 5 in. of light soil upon a semi-clay subsoil. When it was in its virgin state it grew fern and tea-tree. The Biologist replies, — The specimens have been carefully examined, but nothing found on them that could account for their withering away. One naturally would suspect some deficiency in the soil to be the primary cause of the failure. It would be well to have analysis of the soil in which the crop T as grown made. The forms giving directions in connection with the taking and forwarding of samples have been posted to you.

Grasses.

Mr. A. D. Wilson, Pokokini, Homewood, writes, — • Will you kindly say whether Danthonia pilosa or D. semiannularis is the better grass for general use, or if there is any material difference between them. I find Paspalum dilatatum succeeds very well here after a new burn, either bush or fern, and does not seem at all to object to growing on rather dry ground. I have tried Phalaris bulbosa on a small scale, and my experience makes me think it will not stand close feeding with sheep. Probably it might be useful in a cow-paddock. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — Danthonia pilosa is a better feeding grass than D. semiannularis. The main . quantity of the danthonia in Marlborough is composed of various forms of D. pilosa. The seed of D. pilosa is much larger than that of D. semiannularis. In growth D. pilosa is shorter than D. semiannularis, but it gives really a larger amount of herbage when kept well grazed. Phalaris bulbosa would probably be more useful in a cow-paddock until it gets firmly established.

Preparation of Tennis-court.

-£ Interested,” Te Kuiti, writes, — Please reply through your correspondence columns to the following questions : (1.) lam putting down a tennis-court on new country; the soil is light and rather sour. Would you advise a liberal dressing with lime now, and sow the seed, say, in September with basic slag ? (2.) What grasses would be the best to sow ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — (1.) I would advise a liberal dressing of lime now. The seed could be sown, in September as suggested, but slag gives best results when applied in autumn. (2.) On land that is inclined to be sour there is no better grass for lawn-making than florin. I should advise its being sown pure. The old idea of having large quantities of grasses in lawn-mixtures is rapidly dying out. Nearly all our best lawns are composed of one grass only. On heavy clay land Chewing’s fescue is recommended, but it requires a large amount of labour to keep it suitable for playing on. Fiorin for lawns should be sown at the rate of 40 lb. per acre.

Trees for Shelter. J. K. Ormond, writes, — I have tried planting macrocarpa trees these last two seasons, and out of 190 planted only six have survived. My land is flat, heavy, clay land, poorly drained, but I expect to have it better drained this season. I would like advice through the Journal as to

the most suitable kind of tree'to raise for shelter, and the proper time to plant. One of my neighbours planted some of the blue variety a few years ago. They grew strong, but are dying off—something immediately below the ground cutting them. The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies, — The following trees are recommended as suitable for planting for shelter in your district: Abies Douglasii (Douglas fir); Pinus muricata (Bishop’s pine), a densegrowing tree, and one of the best for shelter; Pinus austriaca (Austrian pine), . timber suitable for posts; Acacia decurrens (Black-wattle), best grown from seed, which should be planted where the trees are to —timber excellent for posts and firewood. No doubt the lack of success you have experienced in plantingshelter trees is due to want of sufficient drainage or to floods. There are but few trees that will succeed for any length of time if the soil conditions, especially with regard to drainage, are unsuitable. The present time is very suitable for., treeplanting where the ground is not too wet.

Wild Linseed.

“ Subscriber,” Rainham, writes, — Could you tell me whether the seed of wild linseed (in hay) will grow after being eaten by cows or horses. Which is the best way to kill wild linseed ? The Live-stock and Meat Division replies, — As this seed is of a mucilaginous nature, digestive changes would take place which would destroy its germinating-power. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, — . - Wild linseed, or Australian flax (Linum marginale) is mainly a weed of the North Island only. It is difficult to control in pastures, but on cultivated land ploughing in the autumn with good cultivation until the time the crop is sown is effective. As it is a deep rooter it does not derive much nourishment from a top. dressing, so that on pastures a top dressing applied to stimulate the growth of the grass will help to crowd it out. Wild linseed is often common on waste places, and when in such localities it should be cut before flowering to avoid seeding.

Crush-pen for Cattle.

Mr. H. Munro, Wellington, writes, — Can you please let me know the dimensions, structure, &c., of a crush-pen for cattle. A plan prepared by the 'Live-stock and Meat Division appears on another page.

Raising Catalpa and Macrocarp a from Seed. Mr. Stephen Anthony, Waitete, Amodeo Bay, Auckland, writes,— I received some seeds of the Catalpa speciosa from Mr. H. C. Rogers, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., U.S.A. I should be thankful if you would be good enough to give me some information as to how to plant them, and when. Also, I have had bad luck in raising young macrocarpa-trees from seed. Should they be soaked in hot water, and if so, for how long, and how hot should the water be to begin with ? Also, when is the .best time to plant them ? The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies,— Catalpa speciosa can be raised from seed provided it is sown thinly and lightly covered with soil. September is a suitable time for planting the seed, which should be. sown in a proper seed-bed or in shallow boxes. When the plants are about

12 in. high they can be transplanted into their permanent places. The catalpa, however, to be grown successfully requires a well-sheltered position. The seed of macrocarpa (Monterey cypress) should not be soaked in hot water before sowing. This is only necessary with hard-shelled seeds, such as acacia, &c. The seed should be sown about September.

Fruit Varieties recommended.

Mr. A. Wawman, Waitoa, Thames Valley, writes, —- I am getting land, ready for an orchard. Kindly state the best kinds of apples, pears, plums, and peaches for about two acres for home use. The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies as follows,— The following would be suitable varieties for planting the area referred to : Apples Beauty of Bath, Gravenstein, Golden Pippin, Jonathan, Delicious, McLiver’s Winesap. Pears Wilder, Beurre Diel, Doyenne du Comice, Louise. Bonne of Jersey,' Williams Bon Chretien, Winter Cole. . —Brigg’s Red May, Wiggins, Paragon, Muir, Kia Ora, Kalamazoo. —Early Orleans, Jefferson’s, Kirke’s, GramPDuke, Coe’s Golden Drop.

Plant-breeding.

T. B. H., Nelson, writes, — Will you please recommend me through the columns of your Journal a good work for beginners on plant-breeding, seed-selection, &c., more particularly in connection with agriculture and vegetables, also stating where obtainable in New Zealand. The Biologist replies,— You are recommended to procure a copy of L. H. Bailey’s “ Plant Breeding,” publishers, Macmillan and Co., London, price 65., obtainable at all the leading booksellers.

Manure for Shelter Trees. Mr. C. A. Perham, town, writes, —- Will you kindly answer the following question for me : I have some shelter belts planted, which I am anxious to force along, but am rather afraid to use artificial manures. The trees are Pinus insignia, and I thought of using basic slag, but would like your opinion first. The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies,— Should suggest using bonedust and superphosphate. Basic slag is a valuable fertilizer, but takes longer than the abovementioned in producing results.

Apple-drying.

Mr. Thos. S. Mason, “ Grand View,” Ettrick, writes as follows,— Recognizing the ready manner in which you come to the assistance of those in need -of information, I would be pleased if you would give me some information on appledrying, or put me in the way of obtaining samesay, probable cost of outfit, where procurable, &c., and whether heat is necessary during the process. , The Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries replies, : A very simple apparatus is necessary for drying apples. If the operation is to be on a domestic scale only, a series of, say,, six trays, the frames of wood, the

bottoms of galvanized wire, are procured, each tray, , say, 18 in. by 12 in. over all. A sheet-iron oven is made, but with no bottom ; strips of iron to carry the shelves are fixed along the side. There is a hole in the top to let steam out. This oven is set on the kitchen stove. As the apples on the bottom tray dry the top tray is made to change places, and so on until the whole are uniformly dry. To prepare the apples they are pared, cored, and cut into thin slices or rings. These are dropped into salt and water for a few minutes, and drained and placed in thin layers in the drier.

Clearing Rushes, and Liming

Mr. P. C. Neilsen, Mangamaire, writes, —

Could you tell me how to clear my land from rushes. The land has now been properly drained. Would it be advisable to burn them off, and, if so, what would be the best month to do it in ? After that, would it be a good plan to give it a coat of agricultural lime ? What quantity is required, and what month is the best to do it ? The land is covered with stumps and logs, and I cannot plough it. '

The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, —

On land that cannot be ploughed the clearance of rushes is difficult. The best means is to burn them. It is usually found best to grub them during spring, and they will then be found in a suitable condition to burn some time in March, after which the land should be hand-sown with grass-seed.

It is not recommended that a large area of land be treated with lime until it has been ascertained by experiment what results will follow such a course.

I should advise setting aside a small portion of the land and giving it a test dressing at the rate of about 1 ton of lime per acre. It would probably be found best to apply the lime in the autumn. It is suggested that adjacent to the plot treated with lime, a portion, say, 1 acre, be treated with basic slag at. the rate of 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. to the acre. This would provide a valuable demonstration as towhich treatment gives the best results.

Race-bails for Cows.

Mr. W. H. Lowe, Maihihi, Otorohanga, writes,

Could you kindly inform me through the Journal the measurements of race-bails-to hold five cows each side.

The Director of Dairy-produce replies,—

A race milking-shed to hold five cows on either side should measure 43 ft. in length, and a total width of 10 ft. 9 in. (inside measurement). The width of each cow’s compartment should be 2 ft. 3 in., and the length 6 ft. Plans of this type of shed, as well as of a number of other designs, are to be had on application to this Division, and a copy of the race shed is being sent you.

The distributive sales of the Swift Beef Company for 1911 totalled 8275,000,000, or, say, £55,000,000. The company purchases annually in the United States 7,500,000 head of live-stock.— Meat Trades Journal.

Importing about £18,000,000 worth of wool annually, Germany is much pleased over the success of breeding sheep for wool in German South-west Africa. It is believed that the wool industry can be enormously developed in that colony. Spokesman Review.

Milk. . •Test. . Cheese Yield..: Value of Fat at Is. per Pound. .Value of Cheese at 4'8d. per Pound. lb. Per Cent. lb. ' I'd. • d. 100 4-0 .10 . . 48 - .. ... 48-0 .. 100 .5-0. .12 - 60 ' - - 57-6 . 100 . . 3-5 9-1. .42 - 43-6

— Milk. Test. Fat. Value. Cheese. Value on Yield of Cheese. .. '•■Milin '■ Test.' Fat. ■ Value. Cheese. ■ Value on Yield of Cheese. lb. Per Cent. ' lb. ' £ lb. £ s. d. First cew 5,000 , 4-0 200 10 500 10 0 0 Second cow . . 4,000 . . 5-0 ' 200 10 -480 ' 9 12 0 Third cow .. . .. 5,714 3-5 200 10 520 . 10 .7 6