and Tolaga Bay, on the production of beef cattle and the requirements as to branding and earmarking of the new Stock Act, and Mr G. Wilson, of Opotiki, spoke on these subjects at Te Araroa. Mr E. A. Madden, agrostologist at Palmerston North, spoke on the improvement of hill country pastures.

Drive for Production Maori interest in the schools was due in no small measure to the support of the committees of management of Maori sheep and cattle stations on the Coast, These committees, alerted by the field supervisor of the Department of Maori Affairs, decided tat full support of the farm schools would be a first step to the improvement of farming on the East Coast. Such improvement is an urgent question on the Coast and various measures may be taken to cope with it. It appears that the Department of Agriculture may decide to station an instructor in agriculture in Ruatoria. Furthermore, that Department is keen to demonstrate on one or two selected farms in the district what can be achieved by improved management practices under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. The purpose is to show up to date farming methods for the benefit of the whole area. Subdivisional fences and effective use of manure are among the main problems of the area. The people's interest in the farm schools augurs well for the future.

Seasonal Notes

TREATMENT OF BLOWFLY STRIK IN EWES In districts where crutch strike causes trouble in ewes crutching or early shearing is advised by the Department of Agriculture. Close supervision is necessary to detect cases so that suitable treatment can be applied before the strike becomes too extensive. When treating cases of fly strike, shear the soiled wool away from the immediate vicinity of the strike. Dressings containing aldrin, dieldrin, or BHC will rapidly kill the maggots, whcih will be expelled from the wound. In addition treatment with either aldrin or dieldrin preparations will prevent re-strike until dipping if this is done in January. These dressings do not prevent the flies blowing the sheep with eggs, but they do prevent the maggots from hatching and causing a strike. Irritant fluids such as kerosene should not be used: they may kill the maggots, but they will irritate the wound and tend to cause restrike. Jetting of ewes is not usually necessary, but if fly strike is severe, it may be advisable to treat them to give protection until dipping. Apply ½ gallon of aldrin or dieldrin wash to the crutch of each animal, extending the wetted area to above and round the tail. A pump working at 401b to 601b pressure per square inch, with a hand cut-out on the nozzle, is advisable for this purpose. Jetting with aldrin or dieldrin at 0.05 per cent strength will give 2 months' complete protection against crutch strike; for longer protection 0.1 per cent should be used.

BLOOD POISONING AFTER SHEARING Deaths in sheep after shearing may be due to infection of cuts or bruises with the blackleg germ. This disease can be prevented by vaccinating at least 3 weeks before shearing. Sheep which have been vaccinated previously may not require revaccination, and a veterinarian or Livestock Instructor of the Department of Agriculture or a Field Supervisor of the Department of Maori Affairs should be consulted about the best procedure.

MANAGEMENT OF YEARLING HERD BULLS Good experimental evidence has been obtained at the Department of Agriculture's Ruakura Animal Research Station to show that excessive use of a yearling herd bull will reduce his fertility in later life. For best results a yearling should not be run with more than 12 to 14 heifers, unless some effort is made to reduce the amount of work he will do.

SPRING TOPDRESSING ON DAIRY FARMS Rainfall is a major limiting factor to dairy pasture production throughout most North Island summers. However, the Department of Agriculture considers that by topdressing in November with superphosphate (and potash also if needed) a more vigorous and dense cover for pasture can be secured and it will keep the soil moister and result in better summer and autumn production. If topdressing is left too late, insufficient rain may fall to encourage the required summer growth. If the pasture is to be topdressed again in autumn, 2cwt. of superphosphate per acre is all the phosphate that need be applied in November. All fields being grazed and aftermaths of silage fields can be topdressed in November to provide extra summer feed.

VACCINATION AGAINST CONTAGIOUS ABORTION Vaccination has reduced the New Zealand average rate of contagious abortion in dairy cows from about 5 per cent to 1 per cent. However, the Department of Agriculture contends that there are still too many dairy farmers who do not vaccinate their calves. Past freedom from abortion is no excuse for not vaccinating, as infection may be introduced into a herd at any time. Though vaccination does not begin until January or February, applications should be made now, as veterinarians and Livestock Instructors have to plan their vaccination itineraries. Late applications make this planning very difficult. Calves should not be vaccinated until they are over 4 months old, as poor immunity results if they are vaccinated before this.