ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XX, Issue 3, 20 March 1920, Page 193

ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

IN order to ensure reply to questions, correspondents must give their name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith Letters should be addressed to the Editor.

RINGWORM IN YOUNG CATTLE.

0. J. M., Paparata : — What is the best treatment for some young cattle which are getting ringworm about the face and neck ?

The Live-stock Division :—

The affected parts should first be well .washed with soft-soap and water. When dry a preparation of creosote, i oz., and olive-oil, 7 oz., should be applied with a stiff brush. Tincture of iodine will also answer the purpose. Whatever treatment is used the dressing should be extended beyond the affected parts. ' A second application may be necessary. ' :

BEST STAND-UP WHEATS.

“Inquirer,” Frankton, Central Otago : — We intend sowing about- 100 acres of- wheat this season. ■ The soil is naturally very rich and has not been cropped for ten years, so we are afraid the crop will g down badly. We should be glad of advice regarding the best'standing varieties’.

The Fields Instruction Branch :—

' Probably the variety which stands up best is Purple-straw Tuscan. Other varieties of Tuscan, such as White-straw and Solid-straw,- also Hunter’s wheat, are commonly grown on heavy land in Canterbury, where resistance ■ to lodging is of considerable importance. Further, College Hunters can be counted on to stand drought conditions well, in addition to standing up well on heavy land.

EXPLOSIVES FOR HARD-PAN IN ORCHARD.

“ Pomus,” Waipukurau — . •.. .. .... The growth of a large number of trees in my orchard has been very much checked by the existence of a hard-pan of sandstone which runs through , part of the orchard at a depth of from 1 ft. -to 3 ft. below the surface. These trees are only about 5 ft. high in some instances, although they have been planted seven years. ,Would you kindly inform me of the best method of breaking the pan with explosives so as not to injure the roots of the trees, the best explosives to use, and the proper season to do it ? . - . ■■ ; ■ _• ■ . '

- The Horticulture Division - T-'-* -•••: .. Some injury to the roots of the trees' is sure to occur if sufficient explosive is used to do any real good. It would, however, do the trees no harm provided the work was done in autumn—April would be a good month. . Holes .’should be made midway between the trees in each direction, and one in the centre of each ,square, enclosed by four trees. The holes should go through the hard-pan if possible, or at least well into it. A i j in. auger is. the best implement where it can be used, the shaft being lengthened for the purpose. If an auger cannot be used a-light steel crow-bar is the next-best implement for making the holes. A plug of gelignite is required for each hole, or possibly..two plugs ; detonating-caps and fuse are also necessary. A cap is firmly fixed to one end of the .fuse ; a .cut-is

made in the plug of gelignite, and the cap partly enclosed in it. The cap and fuse must be firmly tied to the explosive, which is then dropped to the bottom of the hole. The pieces of fuse should be long enough to allow a few inches to project above ground. Put dry soil into the hole and tamp with a wooden rammer. Tamp the first 6 in. lightly, the rest of the hole as hard as possible. ' Light the fuse and stand clear. ■

BOILS ON HORSES’ BACKS.

“ Utukai,” Mangonui : —

Can you-recommend a cure for boils on the backs of horses? My ridinghorses have been subject to them since spring, and two months’ spell has not improved their condition. The horses are on good feed and in good condition, and although methylated spirits seems to absorb the boils, they reappear in other places along the back. ' • <

The Live-stock Division -

This trouble is due to inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair-follicles, with retention of their secretion, which not infrequently causes pus-formation. It is usually produced on horses’ backs by badly fitting and dirty saddles. When the boils or pimples make their appearance the parts should be well fomented with hot water to which a disinfectant has been added. When the pimples begin to discharge they should be kept clean and touched up daily with a little undiluted carbolic acid. After recovery, care should be taken that the lining of the saddle is thoroughly disinfected and the saddle made to fit properly, otherwise reinfection may take place. Salines, such as hyposulphide of soda, given daily in i oz. doses will also have a beneficial effect. The animals will eat this freely if crushed fine and put in their feed.

PINUS INSIGNIS TIMBER FOR BUILDING.

G. Tebbs, Tauranga : —

Can you give me any information as to the suitability of Pinus insignis timber for building purposes. ' The general impression in this district is that the borer would soon get into it. Would it be of advantage to dress the timber with Solignum or creosote ? Any information would be gladly received.

The Horticulture Division :—■

The timber of Pinus radiata (insignis) is being quite extensively used for the construction of buildings, especially in the South Island. Some buildings have been erected for a number of years, and so far we have heard of no report of borer attack. A dressing of benzine, 5 parts, to creosote, 1 part, is recommended as being protective against borers. Care in selection of the timber, using no sap-wood, and felling the trees in winter, will have good deterrent effect.

COWS WITH FOOT TROUBLE.

A. W. B., Teddington : —

Three of my cows are suffering with some trouble in their, feet. They first went extremely lame, their feet swelling up just above the hoof. After a time the swelling burst, and with the discharge the pain ceased, but the places are still open and raw. Could you give me any information as to this disease and its treatment ?

The Live-stock Division :—

The trouble you describe as affecting your cows is, in all probability, the condition known as “ foul-in-the-feet ” of cattle.. It is more common in wet, marshy places, and very often a change to dry ground causes it to disappear. As regards treatment, you should endeavour to get the feet into as clean a condition as possible. Bathe the parts you describe as “ open and raw ” above the horn with hot water containing a little antiseptic, such as Jeyes Fluid or Kerol. Afterwards a lotion made by dissolving i oz. of sulphate of zinc in a quart of water should be applied once daily. .

BLACK BEES FROM THE BUSH.

R. H. Crozier, Palmerston North : —

Can you recommend the small black bee we find in the bush as a good honeybee ? I know of -three strong colonies of them, and if they are worth taking I shall hive them.

The Horticulture Division :• —-

The black bees found in the bush are from the original bees imported from England, and are good honey-gatherers, but the Italian race has come into more general favour. ■

CONTROLLING TOP GROWTH OF APRICOT-TREES. Mrs. E. Wright, Puriri: —

Can you advise me how to prevent apricot-trees from making too much top growth ? I have some eight-year-old trees which did not grow much at first, but have made from 8 ft. to io ft. of wood this year. The more they are pruned the more top growth they make. I wish to keep them down, as I find it impossible to pick the fruit from some of my trees, which are thirty-five years old and 30 ft. high.

The Horticulture Division :

Apricot-trees usually make strong growth after pruning. This habit is useful while a tree is young, but is likely to be troublesome when the trees attain to a height at which it is desirable they should remain. There are two ways of preventing strong growth and still keeping the tree in the desired form. One method is to prune toward the end of . December, in which case the leaders should be pruned to a bud at about the desired height. The resulting growth will be weak, and will remain so thereafter. The other plan is to shorten in winter to a lateral instead of to a bud. '

CRACKS BETWEEN COWS’ TOES.

George Irving, Henley, Otago : —

Kindly inform me what is the best treatment for cracks between the toes of cows. I have two cows very lame with this trouble. Their feet have a very bad smell.

The Live-stock Division :• —

Good treatment for cracks between the toes of cows consists in cleansing the part thoroughly with warm water and disinfectant, , then applying a mixture of powdered bluestone (1 part) and glycerine (7 parts). This should be repeated daily. The cows must be kept on dry, clean pasture. Wet boggy ground and mud is usually the cause of the trouble. Powdered fresh unslaked lime dusted between the claws is often used with beneficial effect, the interdigital space being first cleaned.

PROTECTING FRUIT-TREES FROM RABBITS.

“ Subscriber,”, Puketiro :—

Kindly advise whether there is any simple home-made solution that one could paint on apple-trees to make the bark distasteful to rabbits ; ■ also, in the case of the bark having been chewed off in places, what should one put on to help it to heal ?

The Horticulture Division :—■

There are various mixtures that can be applied, and which are fairly effectual. The chief difficulty, however, is that as in this country trees are usually branched low, the rabbits (or hares) are able to reach up and eat the young shoots, which they will do if the trunk bark is made distasteful to them. There is really no effectual method of protection except to shut them out. by the use of wire netting. The

following are useful mixtures : ' Cow-manure, lime, and water ; cow-manure, sand, and water; sulphur, soot, and lime. In each case the mixtures should be made into a thick paint and applied with a brush. Stockholm tar is also useful (gastar must not be used). Where the bark has been gnawed off. the bare wood may be covered with either Stockholm. tar, grafting-wax, or white-lead and oil paint. Any of these will exclude weather and assist healing. /■ . .?..

MAKING CANDIED LEMON-PEEL.

A. Hutchinson, Silverdale :— Please state a simple way to make candied peel. We have the lemons, and commercial lemon-peel is unprocurable.

The Horticulture Division

The peel is first soaked in brine for ten to fourteen days,< or longer if required. Strain and wash thoroughly, preferably in running water. Make a syrup at the rate of ip lb.; sugar to i gallon water,: and boil until it will just form a thread. While boiling .put in the peel, and continue boiling for two . or three minutes. J Let stand for several hours. Drain the peel, reboil .the syrup, and again put in the peel, continuing to boil for two or three minutes. Repeat this five or six times. Then place the peel in dishes, pour a small quantity of syrup into each piece, and place in a warm place to dry, either in the sun or an artificially heated dryingroom. :: .. V ■

PIGS WITH PROTRUDING BACK PASSAGES.

J. W. L., Otaki

. Of twenty weaner pigs, . about' three months-bld, I have had five with their back passages blown out and hanging down. I have washed, oiled, and carefully replaced the parts', leaving the pigs without food for a day, but as soon as the operation is over the parts again protrude. The pigs are fed twice a day on thick sour milk. Please advise me as to the cause of and remedy for this ailment.

The Live-stock Division :—=•

The condition you describe affecting pigs is directly caused either by straining , or.. .intestinal irritation. .. Thick sour milk . cannot be -recommended under the conditions : ' fresh .'separated milk would be much more suitable... ..The back passages will require - to be replaced until all excessive straining ceases, the procedure you adopt being quite correct. Strict attention should be given to the feeding-utensils as regards cleanliness, and the pigs should be -kept warm, dry, and free from draughts. • .

Notice.—An inquiry from Taneatua, regarding Californian thistle, cannot be answered unless name of sender is supplied.