ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 3, 15 March 1913, Page 351

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. Cow Trouble., Mr. Arthur Bush, Henderson, writes, — . Could you let me know through the Journal of Agriculture what is wrong with my cow, and the best treatment to follow ? She calved on the 29th August, 1912. Before calving she was rolling fat, and apparently in the best of health. She calved some time during the night, and in the morning when I went to see how she was I found her on her back unable to rise, seemingly unable to pass the afterbirth. I gave her a Sykes drench, and she passed the afterbirth with pieces of flesh adhering to it. For two days she was unable to stand up, and when at last she got up she was only able to stand for a few minutes. From this on she improved considerably, although she bled from the womb for a week. Her improvement continued so that she could graze as well as the other cows, but instead of thriving she has steadily got thinner. Although I have drenched her with salts on several occasions they seem to have done no good, or very little good, until now she is a walking skeleton, and is getting stiff in the joints as though she had rheumatism. I may mention that she has always had more than she can eat, and that the other animals are all fat. ■ The Live-stock and Meat Division replies, — , It would be impossible to say what is the matter with the cow without examining her. As she seems to have had a bad 'time‘calving, it may be that there is some womb trouble causing her present condition. She might, however, be suffering from tuberculosis. Cases are of frequent occurrence where tuberculous animals are apparently healthy and fat prior ,to parturition, and waste away rapidly afterwards. lam asking the Inspector of Stock for your district to visit your place and examine her. ,

Disc Plough.—Tanekaha. Timber. Mr. Tieke Ratabiki, Oreti, Raukokore, via Opitiki, writes, — I would be glad if you would answer the following questions through the pages of your Journal: —• 1. What disc (single) plough do you consider most.suitable for turning over manukastumps up to 3 in. in diameter, using bullocks ? The soil is of a light friable nature, easily brought to a fine tilth. The country is flat, but rather rough with pig-rootings. 2. Can you give me any definite information as to the lasting-qualities of tanekaha timber in the ground, used as. posts ? ■ • The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— . 1. Disc ploughs, from the original Spalding-Robbins to those now in use, have been carefully observed at the experimental stations and on other farms, and on almost description of land, but" none'has been seen "suitable for turning over manuka-stumps up to 3 in. in diameter. The discs are thin ; they naturally cannot withstand the strain and shock of ploughing over stumps, of that size.' The usual practice where timber of that size is met with is to stump it. It is probable that on the land in question the greater number of-the stumps, will be of smaller dimensions. These can be dealt with by a strong single-furrow mouldboard plough, provided the heavier stumps are removed.

The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies,— 2. There is some diversity of opinion re the durability of tanekaha. Personally I have seen it stand excellently. The following authentic particulars show the durability of heart-wood to be excellent: Piles driven in the Waikato coal-mines showed perfectly sound heart-wood after being down nine years. Railway-sleepers were stacked on the ground in 1865 and left there until 1873. The bottom layer was composed of tanekaha sleepers placed directly on the earth. On the stacks being removed after eight years these sleepers came through the severe trial excellently, being, with the exception of some small patches of sap-wood, perfectly sound.

Depraved Appetite in Cattle.-Angora Goats. Mr. T. Smith, Ihuraua, Mauriceville, writes, — Could you kindly inform me through your Journal what is required for cows (three) that are very fond of licking old bones ? They have access to plenty of rock-salt. The three cows are in splendid condition, and are milking well; they calved early last August. The bones are on the track to the bail, and as soon as the cows see them they (one especially) regularly run to the bones. Angora goats : Would you also kindly inform me what country is adapted for Angora goats ? Bo they require any, special herb ? Will the nannies breed if they have not had a kid up to six-tooth, owing to a billy not being procurable ? Is there any demand for Angora goats ? What weight of wool do they clip ? When should they be shorn ? Are they affected with lice or ticks, and, if so, should they be dipped the same as sheep ? The above queries are practically answered in the August>[(l9ll) and September (1912) Journals, pages 165 and 333 respectively; but in regard to cows licking old bones the Live-stock and Meat Division would add the following : You might try in these cases daily half-ounce doses of compound syrup of iron and phosphates (Parrish’s chemical food) or phosphate of lime. This last agent should be obtained from a chemist, and may be given mixed with bran and dry food. The dose is about half an ounce, given twice a day for about a fortnight. Then miss a similar period, and if the animal is no better, repeat. ~ <

Blindness in Colt. Mr. Andrew Wilson, Hangatiki, writes, — I have a colt fifteen months old, which was castrated three months ago, and was found to have gone blind in both eyes about three months after the operation. His eyes were bulged out as if there was a great pressure behind them. . The tension does not seem to be so great now, but the animal is still stone blind. Perhaps some of your many readers, or some of your able officers, may know of a similar case, and will know what chance there may be of a recovery. I may say the colt was dealt with along with several other two-year-olds, because he was the only yearling on the place and we wanted to make one job of it.' He was turned out along with the others in a sheltered paddock, but he had not been running with these colts previously, and whether they knocked him about or not I cannot say, but he showed no external wounds. The colt is in splendid health and good condition otherwise.* The Live-stock and Meat • Division replies, It is impossible to say what really is the cause of the- trouble without a careful examination. The condition you describe may be due to some disease of the thyroid exophthalmic goitre. These glands are two oval-shaped

bodies placed on each side of the upper part of the windpipe, and are especially well seen in thoroughbred and well-bred horses. In the disease in question they are enlarged, especially the left one. You had better communicate with the Inspector of Stock for your district, and inquire when a veterinary officer is likely to be in your neighbourhood, and ask him to see the colt.

Kerry Cattle. Grasses.

Mr. P. McKenna, Aliaura, writes as follows: — 1. Some four or five years ago the Department of Agriculture imported some Kerry cattle, and I see by the report of the Manager of Moumahaki, Mr. F. Gillanders, in the Annual Report for 1908, that they were doing well, but I have not seen anything about them since. Would you kindly let me know through the Agricultural Journal whether they have been a success or not ? . . r 2. Would you also kindly let me know which of the two following grasses are of the best feeding-value in poor country—Yorkshire fog, or red-top ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, 1. The Kerry cattle were maintained for some years north of Auckland. They did not, however, prove so acceptable to the farmer as other breeds of milkingcattle. They have not been continued as a pure breed. 2. Red-top is usually accepted as the more valuable, of the two grasses mentioned.

Heifer Trouble.

K. J./Morrinsville, writes, We have a two-and-a-half-year-old heifer which has partially lost the use of her hind legs. We noticed this first about six weeks ago, when the trouble was only slight, and could be noticed when running. However, she has gradually got worse? and now has difficulty in getting on to her hind legs, frequently knuckling over at the joints. She has had no injury that we know of, and has never had a calf. Could you advise any treatment ? The Live-stock and Meat Division replies, — t It is impossible to say what is the cause of the symptoms shown without personal examination of the animal. Even with this it is not certain whether a correct diagnosis could be given. It is probable that she has received an injury you are not aware of, probably in the region of the loins. If she is no better it would be as well to destroy her. You do not say whether she has recently been mated. Cases showing similar symptoms are not uncommon after service with a heavy bull.

Bronze Beetle.

C. W., Takapuna, Auckland, writes, — Many of my apples this year are damaged by a dark stain or scab, sometimes extending to about one-fourth of the entire surface. Ido not think it is made by the bronze beetle. Can you advise me what spray to use to cure it, and when to apply ? I am sending specimens. The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies, — The apples forwarded have been attacked by bronze beetle in the early part o'f the . season, with the result that later the fruit has cracked, and decay set in. The effectiveness of arsenate of . lead for the control of the beetle can be increased by adding a small quantity of resin-solution to the mixture.

Beekeeping.

Mr. E. Duckworth, Hendley, Patoka, Hawke’s Bay, writes, — Will you please .tell me which is the best month to double up colonies of bees ? I also wish to know the name and address of the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Beekeepers’ Association. The bees are doing exceptionally well here this year.

The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies as follows : March is about the best time for doubling up your colonies, which should be done in the following manner: Kill the queen in the weaker hive of the two you wish to unite, then place a single sheet of newspaper between the supers of the two colonies. In a short time the bees will gnaw through the paper.and unite peacefully. The Hawke’s Bay Beekeepers’ Association is now non-existent, but the secretary used to be Mr. Currow, Health Food Depot, Napier. There are beekeepers’ associations at Pahiatua and Gisborne. .

Weather and Milk-test.

Mr. E. W. Newton, Mokotua, Southland, writes, Would you kindly inform me through your Journal if the weather-conditions have any effect on milk in regard to testing : if, for instance, a cold snap following a spell of mild weather would have the effect of bringing the test down, although the cows gave less milk during the cold spell ? Also, if a continued spell of cold, wet weather would have the effect of keeping the test down, even though the quantity of milk comes down considerably also. To quote a case : The daily quantity of milk of one supplier dropped from about 40 gallons to about 30 gallons in about a fortnight, yet the test during that period was 0-5 lower than for the preceding period, though one would naturally expect it to be higher. Would the cold weather account for this ? The Dairy-produce Division replies,— . . Weather-conditions frequently have a very marked effect upon both the quantity of milk given by a cow and its percentage of butter-fat. The amount of milk, as well as its butter-fat test, may be reduced as. the result of very cold or very hot weather, or through many other causes. Some cows are affected to a greater extent than others by . variations in the weather. The variation you quote is quite commonin fact, much greater variations are experienced by dairy-farmers, up to ’ even I per cent, and over in some instances. In actual experience it is found that the fat-percentage in milk rises and falls at times without any apparent reason. *

Orchard Queries.

Mr. R. S. Levesque, Cambridge, via Goodwood, writes, — There are three things I would like to know about: — (1.) The best mixture of manures to make for gooseberry-bushes. (I had thought of mixing slag and kainit in equal parts.) (2.) The best method of pruning. If I summer-prune, shall I have to prune again in the winter ? (3.) Would you advise me to spray with the Bordeaux mixture or sulphur spray ? The Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division replies, (1.) A dressing at the rate of 3 cwt. to 4 cwt. per acre of basic slag, to be followed in early spring by'a dressing of superphosphate at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre is recommended. (2.) Fruit-trees benefit by both summer and winter pruning. . (3.) The Bordeaux mixture has proved a very effective spray for the control of fungus diseases, and on the whole less likely to injure foliage than, the sulphur spray. : s ,

Mixing of Fertilizers.

Farmer,” The Pa,” Cambridge, writes as follows Would you kindly inform me through the Journal whether there would be any chemical loss through mixing superphosphate and carbonate of limo in equal parts ? Would this be a slow- or quick-acting mixture ? The Agricultural Chemist replies, When mixed with carbonate of lime superphosphate will be reverted to a form insoluble in water (dicalcic phosphate). The resultant mixture is slower-acting than superphosphate, but quicker-acting than guano or rock phosphate (tricalcic phosphate) on most soils.

Fertilizers.

Mr. Fred. H. White, Tahuna, writes, In a recent issue of the Journal (September, number, page 339) you compared Christmas Island guano and basic slag, in answer to a question from one of your readers, and it was most interesting. Would you state the relative solvency of bonedust, Christmas Island guano, Surprise Island guano, Malden Island guano, Ocean Island guano, and Seychelles guano? Are any of these guanos more easily dissolved than others, and, if so, which ? I have used these guanos with good results on newly-broken scrub land. The Agricultural Chemist replies, — Bonedust cannot be compared with guano, as it contains a quantity of intimately mixed organic matter, which affects the subsequent fate of the phosphates in the soil. The guanos can all be compared from a knowledge of the total phosphoric acid in each, the solubility in solvents being similar.

Seedsmen. . • “ Darwinian,” Karamea, writes, —- Will you kindly give me the addresses of Messrs. Sutton and Sons and Messrs. Webb and Sons, English seed-merchants, in the next issue of your Journal. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,— The following are the addresses asked for: Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading, England ; Messrs. Webb and Sons, Wordsley, England.

Blackberry-spray.

Mr. William T. Bell, Woodlands,” Clevedon, writes, —- What material is used for spraying blackberry on the railway-line sides near Auckland ? Is it poisonous to stock, how is it applied, and in what quantities ? Could it be sprayed on with the ordinary knapsack spray-pump ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, —- The material used by the New Zealand railways for spraying blackberries on the railway-line near Auckland is known as “ Pintch’s gas-tar.” It should not be dangerous to stock, as they usually avoid tar. The mixture is applied with a water-ing-can, being too thick for distribution through a spray-pump. It is applied as received from the vendors, undiluted. This specific kills for only one season. Some gorse was sprayed this season with this mixture, and the Inspector who witnessed the spraying reports that a new growth has already commenced. The following

is a recipe also used by the Railway Department—this also is a season killer: 80 lb. arsenic dissolved in 200 gallons of boiling water. • Add 200 gallons cold water. This makes a 2-per-cent. solution. Weeds are first cut down by hand and the solution is sprayed on in two applications. 400 gallons of the solution is sufficient to spray twice a quarter-mile of railway-track 12 ft. wide.

Inoculated Soil.

Mr. K. W. Dalrymple, Parewanui, Bulls, writes as follows:Would soil that has had lucerne growing in it for the last five years be inoculated ? Although the lucerne has been growing well, it is being smothered out with rank grass, and is now rather thin. Can it be found by testing whether the soil is inoculated ? The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies, It is accepted that soil from a lucerne-field planted five years ago would contain sufficient organisms to ensure inoculation. The presence of considerable numbers of tubercles or nodules on the roots would be a sufficient indication.

Fat-hen.

Mr. T. E. Maunsell, Carterton, writes as follows:- — Would you kindly advise me through your columns of the most effective method of eradicating fat-hen. I have some area of rich alluvial soil infested with the weed, and find it gives no end of trouble. I have some lucerne planted in part of it, which is growing strongly, but honours are about equal at present between it and fat-hen. The latter lam endeavouring to keep from seeding by periodical mowing. The rest is in maize and mangels. The Fields and Experimental Farms Division replies,- —- The control of the weed fat-hen .can be obtained by repeated; cultivation, or possibly by the use of covering-crops, such as rape, swedes, or peas in drills, that are kept free from weeds until the crop is so well advanced that the foliage will thickly cover the ground. Periodical mowing is the usual control.

Goat’s Milk.

Dr. Lewis, Medical Superintendent, Te Waikato Sanatorium, writes, — I should be glad to learn from you the composition of goat’s milk, and the proportion of the various constituents. I should also be glad if you could let me have your opinion as to its assimilibility and nutritive value. The Dairy-produce Division replies,— The composition of goat’s milk is very similar to that of cow’s milk, with the exception that the fat-content is frequently a little higher, and the same may be said for the casein and albumen. Henry Droop Richmond, T.1.C., gives, a comparative analysis of average goat’s and cow’s milk as follows :—Goat’s milk: Water, 86-04; fat, 4-63 ; sugar, 4-22 ; casein, 3-49; albumen, 0-86; ash, 0-76. Cow’s milk: Water, 87-10; fat, 3-90; sugar, 4-75; casein, 3-0 ; albumen, 0-4 ; ash, 0-75. Usually the milk from goats is of a somewhat strong flavour, and is not liked by users at the commencement; The nutritive value is considered equal to that of • cow’s milk, and some authorities even contend that it has superior qualities in this respect. A feature of this milk is that the butter-fat is very white in colour.