Farm and Garden.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 421, 12 May 1904, Page 7

Farm and Garden.

OItIGHNAL ABTIOLES.

M, POULTRY KEEPING.- gjrg HE raising of poultry by •farjnerß iaa not hitherto been considered by them as a business but rather learns daily hdjHb.SBBaB with care, he! has alS#r££|lhiclLens tolniaagß jthemsel* es. The sick horse or cow is a Ips&e o ' anxiety, because there ia money Tnve&tec to a greater amount, and much trouble nay be taken to avoid lobb. But latterly! farmers are learning that there is a profit to be derived from the small thinga oh the farm, and that the capital investedi in poultry, though not usually great, is] sure to bring in a larger return } aid attention has been directed to that matter which haa the advantage of ready sales at? all seasons and close to hand. Withonfc much experience in keeping poultry in large numbers, though accustomed to have some few fowls, many failures are made that might otherwise be avoided with the possession of knowledge in the matter of poultry raising. There are essential details necessary, that can only be properly performed by those who are experienced, and the firststeps should therefore be gradual. The v bedsitter should learn something of the different breeds and their usee. Me should know the breeds that will suit his locality best. The beßt laying breed may prove, a miserable failure unless it is surrounded by. conditions for success. Good breeds, systematic feeding, cleanliness and careful selection of breeding stock are y essential;* and if neglected the result is failure. The poultry business is an opportunity for women as well as men to earn money. There is money to be made in eggs or in poultry for market; also, in raising thoroughbred poultry. Chickens should be separated according to their requirements and conditions; selection 'should he made, of the best iayew; f pat each lot by themselves and feed "aa each requires, <thst way after a.time a.betttr laying bteed can be developed. #£ ""'

.FOE STIMULATING GEOWIH OF .::>- LEGUMINOUS CEOPS. Recent discoveries -fey scientists of a . successful method of propagating nitrogen, breathing bacteria in insumerabJe quantities and being able to transfer them from one .place to another -without 'destroying th'e"ir vitality so that they, may. be used; in nralfcjplying the. yield of . leguminbus crops 4nd adding lasting fertility fco> tea; soijk will brings about a great achievement. "The subject ia pertinent in connection with the diecussion 6f legaminouß crops for the dairy herd, inasmuch as these bacteria perform the service of imparting to foods nitrogenous substances whioh are of primary 'importance in the rations of animals. The great- problem of agriculture has been to secure available nitrogen for plant life. It has been known to scientists for a long time that bacteria on the rootco! legumes enable ihem to absorb nitrbgci f rom theair. More recently the problem has been solved of cultivating these bacteria, and a method invented by.means of: which they can be preserved and transported for the use of farmers and inoculation of seed crops. These micuce organisms may be sent by mail packed in absorbent wool; although only a small package it may contain | fifteen million bacteria—enough to furnish complete fertilisation for an acre of land. These bacteria are revived iby immersing in water and are then fed nutrient salts, when they multiply at mke, Cultures of these 'i&jsteria have bean prepared for different : crops, as ia appears that different bacteria are necessary and not one kind of bacteria for all crops, After the bacteria which grow upon any particular plant have become .well established in the soil, that soil can be used to inoculate any other field by distributing in the same manner as fertiliser. Some plots inoculated with a solution made by mixing soil from one part to another have shown an increase of forty-five per cent, over similar portions not inoculated. It; is believed from the resultsjthua far obtained thafthe method of inoculatiig%ith>%Qil : ffoia"places where bacteria have become well established will prove highly practicable.-