GENERAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1541, 10 September 1912, Page 10

GENERAL ITEMS.

NOTES FROM VARIOUS SOURCES,

Mr. Lethbridge, of Feilding, is at present. carrying out experiments iu the renovation of old pastures. Other experiments aro to bo tried. in the district in connection with rust-proof oats, wheat, and barley (Mr. Reid); silver beet-.(Mr. Perrett); and potatoes (Mr. Short).

The lambing so far (says tho 'Clutha Leader") promises well in. this district. From-what one hears, farmers will go in much more extensively for lamb-Taising next year than they have hitherto done. The advent of tho freezing works has given rise to new interests and possibilities in this 'connection. Seagulls are proving; very destructive to young lambs in .several parts of the district,, particulnrly up Popotunoa way, where one day this week a conplo of travellers wero surprised ,to find a woman, walking apparently aimlessly about the paddock with a gun, which she was.firing off every now and again. Inquiries showed that she was frightening off the gulls.

At a meeting of dairy farmers, held at Pnraparaumu Inst week a committee of Messrs. M. J. Lynch, L. J. Hovrell, and Macleim. was set up to confer with AVaikpnao and Reikorangi farmers with a view to getting them to join with Para-, parauniu in a cow-testing association.

Dairy counsellor, von Raffay, tells in the Austrian "Molkerei Zeitung" about an estate near Hamburg where the practice obtains to milk six times in 21 hours (!) and he is inclined to credit this practice-with the extremely high yield. The cows are fed intensively, their averngo ,yicld was GOOO liter—say 12,0001b5.— and individuals reached 24,0001b. in 12 months. It is conducted as a "butcher dairy" and cows not yielding 16 to 201bs. a day are.sent to tho block. It must not be overlooked that in spite of the intensive feeding, this high milk yield is too great a strain and that tuberculosis often appears. Cows could not stand it more than four years anyhow. , "Tho establishment is thus.' a great show place," says tho counsellor, "but it cannot be recommended for imitation."

Tho honour of having the first cow 3 officially tested by the officers of the Dairying Division of the Agricultural Department under tho new regulations belongs, says the "Farmer," to the Holstcin herd of Mr. C. C. Buckland, of Cambridge. In July, four of Mr. Buckland's Holsteins commenced their milking for a twelve months' official record. This is nn important event in the history of the dairying industry in New Zealancl. With tho advantages the Dominion possesses in climate compared with many other country's where the industry has assumed large proportions, it should be certain that in a few years the average production of our dniry cows will stand favourable comparison with: any pnrt of the world.

The American Jersey Cattle Club is considering tho assessment of an import fee of ,£2O on all imported Jerseys that are not classed as qualified. In other words, tho club is trying to keep out of the country the poor stock on the island that will bring a good price in America because they are "imported." It is recognised that there cannot be too many good cows imported, but thnt mere trash, the ruffscruft of the island, ought not to be brought in and a fictitious value given, them because they aro "island bred." George B. Peer, a noted Jersey breeder and importer, declares that on the island the production of good cattle that are being raised is decreasing and the numher'of poor ones that are being raised is increasing. Just as long as the Jersey or Guernsey people can sell poor stuff to American or other buyers under tho glamour of "imported'-' they are not going to trouble themselves very much to raise prime cattle.

A recent visitor to the Monmahaki State Farm, referring to tho Ayrshire cows on the farm, says they havo proved good producers, and it is interesting, to noto the performances of a few, a 9 follow: Jewel, milking ten months, 849Glbs. milk, -13l)Jlbs. butter-fat, profit (after calculating butter-fat at Is. per lb. and skim-milk nt Id. per gallon) £1i ss. 7d. A 2-year-old hoifer, bred at tho farm, gave 52381b5. milk and 183}lbs. butter-fat first season. The cow Vida, milking since October, 9J77lbs. milk and 3-lllbs. butterfat; Birthday, milking since October, 9157 lbs.-milk and 3571b5. butter-fat; Harebell, from end of December to August 3, 7883 lbs. milk and 299Slbs. butter-fat; Dominion Bluebell, milking sinco March, 5250 lbs. milk and 2091b5. butter-fat. Carrots aro freely given to the cows, and it is found tho milk is not thus tainted, but the quality of the cream is improved.

'flip registration is announced of tho Panatawa Co-oporativo Dairy Company, Ltd., Pnhiatua. The, capital is ,£2OOO, in 11)00 shares of £2 each. Subscribers: C. F. Bilker, 24; B. T. Mabey. .12; J. O'Neill, 10; J. Jf'Kinley, 85; J. H. Ebbett, 10; T. C 4. Florence, 20; K. Smnrt. 10. Objects: To acquire and lake over as a going concern the business of butrer manufacturers nojv carried on by the Hawke's Bay Dairy Company, Ltd.. at Papatnwa; and carry into effect a certain agreement. Experiments conducted at the Kansas Agricultural College in connection with mouldy corn causing staggers in horses have shown that of sixteen horses fed with mouldy corn seven developed blind staggers; but under conditions that showed that there is difference in (he susceptibility of animals. Four horses on n ration of mouldy corn ate tho food for the most part well, and kept up their weight for a month, when, ono died. The other three ate the mouldy corn for some time longer- without any adverse symptoms. These experiences prove that one horso may die from eating something that is quite agreeable to another. In other cases blind staggers appeared in 15 days, 25, 41. 43, 48, and 50 daya, but another horse, in this lot ate mouldy corn for G7 days without-showing any bad effects. A prophot may bo without honour in Ms own country, biit the same cannot bo said of money-saving inventions. Honours, in tho shape- of orders, sire being showered upon the manufacturer of "Victor" Vats. Simply because- these splendid Vats are far ahead of other makes and are great money-savors. Despite tho largo number now being mado your orders will receive prompt attention Albert J, Parton, Carterton,.—Advt.