THE FARM

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 357, 12 March 1903, Page 5

THE FARM

y .-j J3FFECTS OF RAGWORT. In the month of June last, Mr G. A. Scott, of Orawia, bought 32 dairy cows from a settler in a district infested with tansy or. ragwort. The particular district is of no consequence. He took the cows to Orawia, and they remained well and healthy to the end of' November, when they began to show signs of illness. Since then they have continued dying until now be has only nine left out of 32, no less than 23 having succumbed Nearly every one on which he made a post-mortem showed identically the same conditions and the symptoms before death were identical. Mr Scott communicated with Mr A. M. Paterson, the Vet., and described what he had seen, and Mr Paterson had no difficulty in concluding that the cows died of what is now known as Winton disease. A subsequent examination confirmed bin in this opinion. As we have said, the cows were purchased at a considerable distance from OraWia. There is no f ansy on Mr Sco- t's fa rm. In f the whole.of that district from Baymond's Gap to Olifden is singularly free of that weed- there is not a blade rf it, to be seen. B fore turning round to go into the Gap thf re is a small patch in a paddock, the only patch to be seen anywhere from the road. Thus cows have not been within reach of ragwort Mr ce they were purchased by Mr Scott. It seems peculiar that they should take the disease fivp months after having eaten the noxious p'ant. The vet. has; a*theory regarding thp progress - f .thedisease, but about it we need "not enter into the physiological aspect of the case. The loss is a very heavy ore *o Mr Scott, and is one more proof of the dangerous nature of the dreaded ragwort, which one sees growing |so luxuriantly in some parts of the district. While it may be good feed for sbe«=p it is dangerous to cows.— '« Western Star."

Colic causes a rollirg and twisting of the intestines and is accompanied hy severe pairs. Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy is a favourite remedy for this disease. Every household should have a bottle at hand. Get it to-day. Is may save a life. W. Thtyere and Sons, sell if