ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXV, Issue 1, 20 July 1922, Page 59

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.

FOOT-SCALDING IN SHEEP. A. Tomlinson, Rongomai, Eketahuna : — A number of sheepowners in this district have had trouble with ewes going lame. They scald between the claws, and in bad cases the hoof will come right off. Can you suggest a reason for the trouble, and a cure ? I am of the opinion that the rank feed and excessive rainfall we have had this year have a good deal to do with it. In several of the affected sheep I found the small ducts above the hoofs completely blocked with wool and wax, the wool apparently growing right into the hole. Would this have an injurious effect ? What is the function of this duct ? *

The Live-stock Division :— We think you. are quite correct in your surmise that the trouble referred to is aggravated by the excessive rainfall and rank growth of feed experienced this year. The duct in question would probably get covered over and blocked up by dirt, &c., with consequent growth of bacteria and pus-formation. This duct secretes an unctuous yellow substance, which is doubtless a valuable protective of the skin of the cleft from the ill effects of friction and irritation by dirt and foreign bodies. From the opening of the duct project a few long hairs, usually matted together. Treatment consists in thoroughly cleansing the affected feet and removing any foreign bodies and accumulated secretion. Where large numbers of sheep are affected the use of a race is advisable, with a 5-per-cent. solution of copper sulphate lb. to the gallon of water).

SOWING PRAIRIE-GRASS. B. A., Te Mawhai :— I am thinking of sowing 4 acres of prairie-grass and clovers about the end of August. The land is light loam of fairly good quality in good heart, and is now in soft turnips, which are being fed off on the ground. Would it be advisable to mix the seed with the manure and sow through the coulters of an ordinary drill ? If so, what quantity of seed should I sow ?

The Agricultural Instruction. Branch : — For a pure sowing of prairie-grass or prairie-grass and clovers about 75 lb. of seed per acre is required. Where it is wished to make prairie-grass one of the dominant constituents of a mixed rye-grass, cocksfoot, and clover mixture, 20 lb. to 30 lb. of seed per acre should be sown. In either case the seed is best broadcasted just after ploughing, and disked in. This will cover most of the seed, which will be ready to germinate when the grasses and clovers are sown on the rolled surface. When 20 lb. to 30 lb. of seed is sown the seed and manure can be mixed and sown through the manure-box of an ordinary drill. When sowing larger quantities the seed and manure can be sown through a lime-distributor, or the seed broadcasted by hand.

GLASSY CORE IN APPLES. H. IL, Piko I— . Will you' kindly inform me of the cause of apples having glassy cores, and also if this trouble can be cured ? We have a tree (Delicious variety) which is loaded every year, but the fruit always has this glassy core and will not keep.

The Horticulture Division :— The affection known as glassy core or water-core in apples is regarded as a physiological derangement. The trouble is practically confined to young trees and to a comparatively few varieties. There is no known means of preventing the condition. When the trees come into a full-bearing state less luxuriant and consequently firmer wood-growth is made, and the trouble ceases. DOG WITH FOOT TROUBLE. “ Farmer,” Marton : — I have a sheep-dog, about six or seven years old, which for no apparent reason has developed some trouble in his feet. The pads crack, peel, and bleed, giving the animal great pain and, of course, rendering him useless for work. He has not been off the farm on metalled roads. Can you advise me as to the best cure ? The Live-stock Division :— r The following treatment is recommended: Give the dog a dose of opening medicine, such as castor-oil (two tablespoonfuls), and keep the bowels regular. Give no meat at present. If sheeps’ paunches are available give them well boiled, with stale bread and vegetables mixed in the soup. Feed the dog three times daily with smaller quantities of food. Give one level teaspoonful of flowers of sulphur in the food every two days. If he will not take the sulphur in the food, mix it with butter and put in his mouth. Bathe the feet with a warm solution of boracic acid ; then after drying apply a little zinc ointment, bandaging lightly if necessary. LUPINS FOR SEED. “ Inquirer,” Otamatea : — Finding that white lupin grows very readily in the light soil of this scrub country, I wish to grow my own seed and make extensive use of the lupin for ploughing in as a green manure. Will you kindly tell me the best time to sow and way to harvest the seed, and the quantity per acre that would constitute an average yield ?

The Agricultural Instruction Branch : — Lupins for seed should be'sown in the spring. The average yield is about 25 bushels per acre. When harvested, the crop should be cut with a mower having a short knife, dried in the field, stacked, and then threshed after being in the stack six to eight weeks. PIGS WITH WEAKNESS IN HIND LEGS. J. G. H., Taupiri : — Some of my pigs, when about 60 lb. or 70 lb. weight, develop a weakness n the hind legs, which in bad cases prevents them from walking. They are fed on skim-milk (twelve hours old) and turnips. Would you kindly tell me what th i trouble is, and the remedy ? The Instructor in Swine Husbandry : —- This complaint is due to derangement of the digestive organs. Milk fed too sour, partly cooked food, food eaten under dirty conditions, and sleeping in cold draughty sheds are all predisposing factors.

Licenses for the Slaughtering and Export of Meat. The forms of license for a meat-export slaughterhouse under the Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1908, and of meat-export license under the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Act, 1918, respectively, have been altered so as to include the provision that the licenses are also issued , subject to such conditions and restrictions as may from time to time be imposed by the New Zealand Meat-producers Board or otherwise pursuant to the Meat-export Control Act, 1921-22.