ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 2, 15 February 1913, Page 255

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Correspondents are requested, when desiring information through the Journal, in regard to disease in animals and plants, to forward, where possible, affected specimens, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis of the trouble, and to ensure the best advice. In stating a question the most complete descriptive details should be furnished. Shelter. Shelter,” Hobson Bay Road, Parnell, writes as follows: —■ Will you please inform me through the colums of your Journal what you consider the most suitable trees to plant for shelter on the Hauraki Plains ? The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies as follows : . The following trees are recommended as very suitable for shelter planting in ■ your district : - Black-wattle (Acacia decur rens); Finns muricata; Eucalyptus amygdaling. -• ' Fruitgrowing. “ Subscriber,” Auckland, writes as follows, under date of the 10th December : Would the Department, through the next Journal, please give me advice on the following questions (1.) I have some two-year-old peach-trees (Royal George and Briggs’ Red May), planted last spring, having been pruned right back to the trunk then, leaving three and four well-placed buds to form a good low framework. The trees have made good growth, and the leaders are now from 2J ft. to 3 ft. long, and have commenced to throw out numerous laterals. I would like to know if it would be advisable to choose one or "two of the best-placed laterals on each leader and encourage them, as I believe by doing so a good-shaped tree could be formed quickly. Perhaps it should be understood that the above method of treatment should be adopted when summer pruning. ' (2.) What is the best manure, or other treatment, to encourage vigour in youngpeach or nectarine trees which have had the leaf-curl and appear to be stunted in ■consequence ? • The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies,— (1.) In young trees such as those you mention three or four good leaders should suffice. All laterals should be summer pruned, and the leaders cut back at the winter pruning. (2.) A good manure to encourage vigour in young peach or nectarine trees which appear to be stunted would be 12 oz. superphosphate, 8 oz. bonedust, and 2 oz. sulphate of ammonia for each tree.

Borer. Mr. J. G. Finlay, Wellington, writes,— On inspecting my fruit-trees last week I noticed an apple-tree with one of its branches withered. An examination showed me that an insect in the form of a borer had entered the branch, and was working its way towards the top. I should be pleased if you could tell me through the Journal the name of this insect and the best -way of dealing with it ? ■ ’ The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies, — The insect described by you is probably the borer A enoma hirta. The simplest method of dealing with this pest is to open with the. point of a penknife the tunnel ■ made by the pest, cut off and insert the head of a wax match, and then plug the mouth of the tunnel with a little hard soap.

Barley and Vetches. Mr. John P. Linehan, Rongokokako, writes, — In the December issue of the Journal an article on barley and vetches states that 2| bushels to the acre were sown. Kindly inform me (1) the proportion of vetches to barley, and (2) the cost of vetches-seed, say, in Wellington or other centre, as they are not stocked here. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division. replies,— (1.) The proportion of vetches to barley: 1J bushels vetches to 1 bushel barley. (2.) Vetches cost Ils. 6d. per bushel in large. quantities, 12s. 6d. per bushel in small quantities. Dodder. Mr. E. L. Purdie, Frankton Junction, writes, — Will you kindly inform me through your Journal the best means of eradicating clover dodder ? I have a small paddock of cow-grass in which dodder is killing the clover in several patches of two or three yards in diameter. The dodder is now flowering. Do stock spread the pest ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— When dodder is present in small patches each patch should be cut close to the ground before the clover flowers and the cuttings spread over the patch and allowed to dry. When they are dry they should be burnt. This treatment should be done at least twice during the year. If the whole paddock is dodder-infested it is necessary to plough up before the dodder seeds and resow the following spring. Stock are often the means of spreading the pest. Fertilizers. Mr. L. Hedges, Pahiatua, writes as follows: — Would you kindly inform me if there is any loss of chemical action with these manures mixed : (1) Lime and basic slag ; (2) bonedust and basic slag ; and (3) lime and bonedust ? The Agricultural Chemist replies, — Ammonia is lost when mixtures 2 and 3 are mixed ; No. 1 mixture may be made up without any loss. Fertilizers. “ Subscriber,” Cambridge, writes as follows . Could you inform me through the Journal (1) whether slaked ground lime, or burnt lime, should be used in making basic superphosphate ; (2) is basic superphosphate a good top-dressing for medium to light lands when used alone ; (3) is. the autumn a good time to apply basic superphosphate as a top-dressing ? The Agricultural Chemist replies, — (1.) Slaked lime. (2.) Yes. (3.) Yes.

New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax). Mr. F. Bull, Waddington, Canterbury, writes, —. Could you tell me the correct. distance from the ground at which native New Zealand flax should be cut ? I have about 100 acres of land in flax, and have alwaysallowed the flax-cutters to cut it as they pleased, but have recently been informed that if cut down into the butt of the leaf which contains the gum the growth is thrown back about fifteen months. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— The correct distance to cut New Zealand flax is from 6 in. to 8 in. above the bulb ; if cut too close into the bulb the plants “ bleed,” and the growth is thereby considerably retarded.

Wether producing Milk. Mr. P. D. Hargreaves, Waiwhatawhata, Otorohanga, writes, — I have at present a crossbred, wether running on my property which produces milk exactly similar to a wet ewe. I have never before seen or heard of such a peculiarity, and would be glad, if you can account for it, thinking at the same time it might interest some of your readers. The Live-stock and Meat Division replies, — / This is apparently a very interesting case. In all probability the animal is hermaphrodite. A veterinary officer will examine the animal when in your district. Diamond-back Moth. T. B. H., Richmond, writes, —- Does the turnip-fly attack chou moellier or thousand-headed kale ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, —- The diamond-back moth, which is generally erroneously termed the “ turnipfly,” attacks all members of the turnip and cabbage family, including chou moellier and thousand-headed kale. The effects of this moth, however, appear to be less disastrous to the kales than to the turnips and rape. Dressing Cows. Mr. Henry Wakelin, Kamo, writes as follows; — In dressing cows for returning to the bull too often (every three weeks), should they be dressed while in season ? The Live-stock and Meat Division replies,— - No. Wait about two days after oestrum has passed off, then irrigate her. She could then be allowed to go to the bull when next she comes in service. Warts on Cows’ Teats. Mr. R. Wech, Warkworth, writes. — ' '. If there is any known cure for warts on cows’ teats, would you kindly let me know, as our cows are badly affected with the complaint. It seems to be very catching. A reply to “ Subscriber,” Hastings, on the same subject appeared in the December (1911) Journal, but the Live-stock and Meat Division adds the following : As your cows are still milking, you might try painting them every night with a solution composed of salicylic acid 2 parts, zinc-chloride 1 part, and collodion 15 parts. Apply with a camel-hair brush. From the frequency with which warts spread, and their closeness of situation,, it has been suggested that they may be infective, but this has not been determined. Lamb Troubles. Mr. William Dodd, Glenham, Southland, writes, — What is the cause of big joints in lambs ? Is there any cure ? We lose a few every year, and those that live are cripples and never thrive. I blame cold and wet, but may be wrong. The trouble begins when the lambs are about three weeks or a month old, and attacks either ewe or wether lambs, mostly after tailing. This season and last were the worst for the trouble in my experience. On page 564 of your Journal a question is asked regarding still-born and weak lambs. The cause in the case in question was the nine weeks’ turnips. From two to four weeks’ turnips previous to lambing is sufficient. After that the death-rate will increase in proportion to the length of time the ewes are kept on turnips. Let the ewes have the turnips after lambing. .

The Live-stock and Meat Division replies,—

The cause of this ' condition is not' exactly determined. Cold and wet could hardly be the cause, as the condition is found in dry districts and in good seasons. A more probable cause is the entry of micro-organisms through the navel when the • animal is a day or two old, this leading to enlargement of one or more jointsthe socalled joint evil.” If you can possibly manage it, change your lambing-paddock next season. There is no telling how long the germs may live on a pasture, and it is as well to take every precaution;; Dairying- Problems. “ Ego,” Koromatua, Frankton Junction, writes, — 1. Will you please inform me why cows decrease considerably in milk-yield when fed mostly on clover ? Towards the end of November my cows were milking well, but since the clover began to flower they have fallen in yield rapidly. . . . ■ 2. My farm is ordinary fern and scrub country, and was put into grass eighteen months ago after the ploughing. The herbage is mostly clover, which grows in great abundance. I should dike to encourage the growth of grasses in preference to clovers. I notice that in the. paddock where my young calves are fed (on skim-milk) the grasses thrive admirably. The same thing occurred in another paddock used last year. Could you suggest a reason ? It is surely not the ammonia in the dung—the clover land should be rich in nitrogen. I top-dressed with basic slag last autumn : could I improve on it ? 3. Is there any difference between “ ulceration of the womb ’’ and “ septic metritis ” ? What are the symptoms ? If the disease is infectious, why are not the same precautions advised as in the case of abortion ? There is much trouble this season in the Waikato through, cows discharging sometimes a thick whitish matter, and others a brownish fluid. Could you suggest a reason ? ; The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— ; ‘ Clover, under ordinary conditions, does not decrease the milk-yield. There is probably some other cause that has not been observed. It should be. remembered that when the clover is flowering the period of lactation is lengthening, consequently there is a decrease. In your district clovers are luxuriant when first laid down. You will in all probability find that after the first season the clover will not predominate. The paddock in which you keep calves is probably smaller than your other enclosures, and during the season when not occupied with calves it will have been closely stocked. Such paddocks are usually convenient, and on this account they ' are in constant use. Stock fed in other enclosures are brought in for the night, ■or horses fed in the stable are put there. This brings about complications, which . are. exhibited, in the altered pasturage. Naturally, the actual cause cannot be defined. -■ - The Live-stock and Meat Division replies,Evidently the condition referred to is what is termed “ metritis ” or inflammation of the womb. Owing to the cause generally being the absorption of decomposing material from this organ into the blood-circulation, the condition is usually called “ septic metritis.” It is practically a blood-poisoning, the most common cause being retention of the afterbirth, or part of it, and its decomposition. In other cases, especially where the symptoms are seen two days or so after calving, the probability is that some tear or abrasion, either of the uterus or vagina, has occurred. The symptoms shown are not- always the kame, and may come on two or three days .after calving, or not until a week or more afterwards. You may say there is an acute and subacute form. The usual symptoms in the acute form are that the cow has not cleansed, and is not doing as well as she should be. She may not be eating or ruminating, and may be more than ordinarily thirsty, and. the secretion of milk diminished, if not suspended. In some cases locomotion may be interfered .with, and she may even be down and cannot be made to rise. These cases are sometimes mistaken for milk-fever. A cow, however, suffering from metritis does not lose ' consciousness, and does not show brain symptoms, such as allowing the eye to be touched with impunity, which you see in milk-fever. If the animal has not cleansed, the; afterbirth is generally in a stinking condition. If she has done so, on passing

your hand into the womb you can generally bring out a quantity of reddish mucous, which smells badly, .and probably portions of the afterbirth which have not been expelled. The temperature, as shown by the clinical thermometer, may be higher than normal, or, on the contrary, below, so it is not to be relied on. In these cases treatment should be prompt and active. The first thing to do is to thoroughly flush out the womb with a warm antiseptic solution. As much as possible should be injected, and care should be taken to get as much as possible out again. Lysol, 1 to 80 (two teaspoonfuls to the pint), or Jeyes or Lawes fluids, 1 to 50 (three teaspoonfuls to the pint), can be . used to make the solution, which'can be repeated every day. A drench composed of Epsom salts 10 oz., powdered carbonate of ammonia | oz., powdered ginger | oz., and powdered gentian 1 oz. may be given in a quart of thin gruel or milk. The same drench, leaving out the Epsom salts, may be given three times a day afterwards. If the cow is a valuable one, and the case is urgent, I should give her quinine. This drug is, however, expensive. Two drachms dissolved in 2 oz. of sulphuric ether, in milk, may be given every four hours. What may be termed the subacute form may not be noticed for a week or more after calving. The cow may not be doing as well as she should, and be gradually losing condition. A reddish-chocolate discharge may be noticed from the vagina. . In these cases the usual irrigation of the womb should be carried out, and the carbonate of ammonia drenches given. Lucerne. — Cocksfoot-seed. Mr. G. T. Emtage, Warkworth, writes, — I should be glad if you would inform me (1) what is the best variety of lucerne to sow on sand, also what quantity per acre: and (2) how long would it be advisable to keep cocksfoot-seed. The Fields and -Experimental Farms Division replies, — . (1.) The Department has no definite information on a variety of lucerne specially suitable to such conditions. It must be remembered that sandy soils are of decidedly varying descriptions, and you give no details. There is practically no variety of lucerne specially adapted to sandy areas. The departmental Journal of October last supplies fairly complete information on lucerne experiments on sandy areas. The usual quantity of seed sown is from 151 b. to 201 b. per acre. The smaller quantity is ample if the cultivation is thorough. (2.) The germination of cocksfoot-seed lessens each year after it is harvested. The conditions under which it is stored determine the deterioration. The recommendation is that if your seed has been kept for more than one year you should yourself test the percentage of its germination. Put a hundred of the doubtful seeds between damp paper or thin flannel and observe the results. The seedingcan then be regulated.

Eight-wire Fence. —Blackberry-moth. Mr. Carl Weeper, Northern Wairoa, writes, I enclose measurements of a standard seven-wire fence, copied from a southern newspaper. Will you kindly give in the Journal the measurements of a standard eight-wire fence. You do not say where the blackberry-moth is working, or whether any attempt is being made to spread it into other places. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, ’ There is no definite standard. The distances between the wires are regulated by the particular predilection of the owner. The Biologist replies,— The blackberry-bud moth (Garposina adreptella) appears to be prevalent over most of the South Island and in the North as far as northern Taranaki. 'No attempts at distribution have yet been made, as it is well to first secure accurate data as to its effectiveness in those districts where it is most prevalent. The results of its work this year have not been so encouraging as that of last season.