THE HEMP MARKET.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 157, 15 October 1912, Page 8

THE HEMP MARKET.

DKOUCtHT IN THE- PHILIPPINES. In order to Ascertain the extent to which t.lio reported drought in the Philippines would probably influencetho hemp market, Hint is, if current values were likely to ho maintained, the Secretary of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce, llr. F. S. I'opo, cabled to the British Consul at Manila to tho following cffect: — "Sharp rise prices hemp, London, said duo decreased output Philippines. Kindly cablo causes, and whether likely continue.". . To this the following reply has been received:— "No shortage arrivals hemp here at present, but eventual decrease of possibly 100,000 bales this year, owing to drought last spring, is anticipated, provided present demand continues." All things considered, the prospects for New Zealand millers this season ore as bright as anyone could desire, and tho values ruling are likely to result in the milling of all the available fibre. It is stated that on the whole the leaf is abundant, and although, a proportion is diseased,. tho leaf generally is in good condition. The New Zealand millers an'd merchants will doubtless appreciate tho information for which the Agricultural Department cabled, and tho reply received demonstrates how valuable tho British Consuls in various parts of the world can be made in commerce when the Government. avails itself of their services.

PECULIAR SHEEP TROUBLE.

A,'MALIGNANT bone disease. A- peculiar bono disease in sheep in the ! vicinity of Daunevirke has been engaging the attention of the Agricultural Department's experts of late. Attention Was first drawn to the trouble by the number of maimed sheep noticed, and on investigation it was found that the lameness was due to broken bones. It appears that,the bones of the affected sheep have become so brittle that a knofck'against a log or a stump breaks them.

This disease, which is usually confined to cattle, particularly to milch cows, is comparatively now to New Zealand, ajld was first reported on as affecting sheep in 1910 by' Messrs; H. A. I?eid and B. C. As.- ■ ton, of. the Agricultural Department. It is characterised by disturbance of nutrition, leading to resorption of calcareous salts from the bones; which in consequence become soft and fragile. The factor chiefly responsible for this abnormal condition appears to be an excess of organic matter, and deficiency of lime salts in the soil upon which the animals are depastured.

Symptoms of the Disease,

This process of demineralisa'ion.of the bone is slow and insidious in its onset and course. At first- only, slight loss of condition may be noticeable, indicated by a ragged and unhealthy appearance of the fleece. The wool feels dry and harsh-to the touch, has lost its bistre, and may be readily detached. This condition ?s followed by,progressive emaciation. Mty*cd sheep'are listless, disinclined to move, lie for a considerable time, and ri 'V with difficulty; - When made to walk, they often appear lame, • and ill well-marked cases a' creaking or cracking sound i;:ay be heard. • Spontaneous fractures are frequent, and sheep may he found with a leg and several other bones of the body broken. Handling affected sheep is liable to lead'to fracture of one or other bone. The broken bones do not heal, readily, and, as a rule, on the post-mortem examination of n.severe case, several oVd calluses may be observed along the course of the §bs, marking the site of former .fractures. The bones, themselves are extremely thin and .light, having been converted" into, shell-like structures by the resorption of their lime salts. The marrow of tho long bones generally is congested, haemorrhagic, and often gelatinous. The osseous tissue: itself appears to be exceptionally porous, and has undergone ■rarefication.

In. the case reported on in 1910, Lincoln crossbrcd hoggets were affected, the mortality being 8 per cent, of the total attacked. They had been brought from a property, on rich, limestone land—which may be designted as.Pronerty No. I—and depastured on alluvial flat and adjacent hill country (Property No. 2).' In about ten weeks' time after their transfer the hoggets were seen to be going off in condition, and exhibited in varying degree the symptoms already described. It is interesting to noto that the analysis of the soil in .the affected, locality, in contrast to the soil of the locality, upon yhich the sheep were formerly pastured, showed the latter to be six times as rich in phosphoric acid.; while the result of the boneanaljrsis of one of the diseased hoggets proved it to be correspondingly deficient in the proportion of normal bone-salts. "Method of Treatment, Treatment should be based upon an attempt to return to the soil the diminished mineral'salts. Phosphates and superphosphates as manure may he used with Advantage. . :It has been obseryed that cattlo affected, with the disease, in ques-

tion generally, seek out and devour bones or shells containing lime, thus endeavouring by instinct to make good tho deficiency. An allowance of bone-meal is therefore indicated in treatment, and every attempt should he made to change the diet, and give nourishing food rich in calcium salts, such as crushed oats, bran, oilcake, and chaff. Ralt-lieks may act as n wholesome tonic. Individual treatment is. as a rule, impracticable, but, should valuable stud sheep become affected, such remedies as cod-liver oil, - iron, and arsenic may be administered in suitable proportion.