ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XL, Issue 3, 20 March 1930, Page 216

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. REMEDIES FOR INTERNAL PARASITES IN LAMBS. G. A. Jenkins, Marohemo : In the January issue of the Journal appears an article on hogget mortality; and concerning dosing for worms two preparations are mentioned. The 1-per-cent. bluestone solution is quite simple and self-explanatory as far as preparation is concerned, but for the ' turpentine, linseed-oil, and soda drench no details of preparation are given. I should be pleased if you would let me know the quantities of each recommended in the mixture. Also, does it mean washingsoda or bicarbonate ? .

The Live-stock Division :

The i-per-cent. bluestone solution is the agent most " commonly used and recommended for the treatment of parasites in lambs.. In regard to the use of turpentine the following may be taken as medicinal doses for lambs : A small teaspoonful (one dram) each of turpentine and baking - soda (bicarbonate) are added to 2 fluid ounces of raw linseed-oil, this being a dose for one lamb. The mixture should be well shaken up. The soda is added only with a view to forming an emulsion. If desirable the same quantity of turpentine may be given in milk, the soda being omitted. Thorough shaking is advised to mix the turpentine. Care also is necessary when dosing with a turpentine solution, as the animals are liable to cough. Large quantities are made up in proportion: thus 10 oz. each of turpentine and baking-soda added to a gallon of raw linseed-oil will provide for eighty lambs, allowing each lamb 2 fluid ounces of the mixture.

ESTABLISHING PASPALUM ON UNPLOUGHABLE COUNTRY. “ K 4,” Russell: — • Kindly advise me the best and quickest method of laying a permanent pasture of paspalum on unploughable clay hills, such as found near the coast in the North Auckland territory. Please state best time to sow, preparation of seed, and other information that would be useful. The Fields Division :■ —

Under the conditions mentioned paspalum is likely to be slow in establishing. Surface sowing with from 6 lb. to 8 lb. of seed per acre in November or early December is the best method. With the establishment of scattered plants over the area the sward will be rapidly thickened by allowing as much reseeding as possible in the early stages. The seed should give a good percentage of germination, and the surface should be clear of rough grass or other growth. Firing or heavy stocking should precede the sowing if■ necessary. 'Finally, it must be remembered that in order to thrive paspalum requires fairly good surface fertility, and it is possible that danthOnia and brown-top would do better on the country you refer to. STARTING A VINEYARD IN HANGATIKI DISTRICT. W. G. J., Hangatiki : ■ ■ Please inform me regarding the best way to start growing outdoor grapevines in this district for table purposes, and best sorts to grow. The plot would be on rolling country lying to the sun, with loam soil and natural drainage. The Horticulture Division : To establish strong vines which will crop at. least a year earlier than'vines planted in superficially cultivated soil (and this applies more especially to soils

of a compact nature) it is essential to cultivate the land deeply and to subsoil it. If it is in pasture the turf should be broken up previously to being turned in ; or if it is in fallow a crop of lupins can be grown for the purpose, or a top dressing of “ tailings ” from blood-and-bone manure applied. This consists of bits of wool, bone, horn, &c., and helps to feed the vines for several seasons. If the plot is to be prepared with the spade— is the better way — soil should be worked so that the top soil, turf, &c., forms a layer 6 in. to 12 in. below the surface, and another 6 in. or more below it should be subsoiled. If a plough is used this method should be approached as near as possible, so that the roots of the vines, which prosper particularly well in newly-turned-in top soil, can spread freely through the ground. After the vines are planted superficial cultivation, so as to avoid injuring the rootlets which feed near the surface in spring, is all that is required to keep the soil free of weeds and in a condition of .fine tilth. The routine cultivation consists of ploughing out lightly from the vines in autumn, and disking inward in spring and summer.

The most popular market varieties are Albany Surprise and Black Hamburg (both black grapes). The first-named sells especially well on the Auckland and Hamilton markets ; but it would not be prudent to plant many of either variety until you are satisfied that your local conditions suit them. With a view to ascertaining which are the most suitable varieties to grow, especially from a ripening point of view, we would recommend, in addition to Albany Surprise and Black Hamburg, which ripen in March, growing a few of each of the following : Madeleine Royale, Goldriesling, Agostenga, Chasselas Dore Salomon, Portugais Bleu, lona, Muscat Hambro, and Temprano. These ripen approximately in the order given, and from among them a continuous supply over a period of about three months should be obtained. These varieties can be obtained in August (though it is advisable to order earlier) from our Te Kauwhata experimental vineyard at listed prices. ' -

MARE IN POOR CONDITION.

S. P. A., Pleasant’ Point : I have a draught mare about ten years old, and this season she is in unusually poor condition and is pot-bellied, though eating well. I think she has bots, and should be glad of a prescription and method of treatment to get rid of them. She is not doing any work, or practically none. ■ ■ The Live-stock Division : It is not usual for horses harbouring bots alone to develop “pot-bellies.” The poor condition of your mare, together with her abdominal enlargement, are more likely to be due to the presence of intestinal parasites and derangement of the digestive organs. A good treatment would —Turpentine, 2 oz., raw linseed-oil, 1 pint, given as one dose and repeated in. ten days. During that interval give one powder daily. containing ferri carbonate, 2 drams ; soda bicarbonate, 2 drams, in food. The animal’s teeth should be carefully examined to make sure that mastication is good.

Wheat Research. — At the February meeting of the Research Council the Chairman made the following reference to this work : “ The scope of the wheat investigations has now been fully extended. A large number of additional crosses has been made at Lincoln College during the past season, and these, together with the product of others made in previous seasons, are now being harvested. The appointment of a baker to the Institute, will enable baking tests to be made of flour from wheats previously analysed, thus giving the fullest information on all of the factors influencing wheat and flour quality. Arrangements have been made whereby the services of the . Institute will be available to millers for the purpose of effecting'improvements in and standardizing the quality of their flour output. A valuable preliminary research. on the possibility of using header harvesters in the climatic conditions prevalent in New Zealand wheat-growing districts has been carried out. The actual field trials conducted with these machines this season will be surveyed by the Institute with a view to estimating the result on -wheat and flour quality of such a method of harvesting.”