SEASONAL JOTTINGS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 96, 17 January 1935, Page 5

SEASONAL JOTTINGS

Importance of Sheep Dipping (By ‘‘Cultivator.’’) A practice which is engaging the attention of sheep-farmers in most districts at the present time is that of dipping. This is one of the most important seasonal operations which have to be undertaken, and in view of that fact it should not be treated lightly. Far too often are farmers prone to carry out dipping operations in A rather haphazard manner. It should be obvious that animals infested with lice and ticks will not do as well as sheep which have been thoroughly dipped and thereby freed of these l,armful vermin. Instructions given with dipping fluid, paste or powder, should be carefully followed. • ♦ * Just at the present tim.e when haymaking operations are in full swing it is as well to remember tnat wastage can be largely avoided by the baling of hay, while labour can also be saved m the feeding out. With the hay in bales it * also possible to keep a more accurate check on the quantity than is ever possible when the hay is stacked. In adverse seasons when feed is short this is knowledge' well worth possessing. » » » Although the sowing of turnips and swedes should almost invariably be completed by the end of December in order to obtain the most profitable results, it W possible, with the assistance of a good i-ainfall. to continue sowing in January. After the middle of January however, it is much the safer plan to sow turnips rather than swedes. Not ouly do turnips develop more rapidly than swedes, but they also suffer less from insect pests, which at times, especially in dry seasons, appear in the summer and autumn months. A suitable turnip for January sowing is the Hardy Green Globe variety Generally regarded as a complaint to be expected at any season of the year other than the dry summer months greasy heels in horses are in very many cases the result of moist conditions or foul stabling. It is, however, possible for horses to become affected at this, time ot the year through overfeeding with concentrates. This should be guarded against. A sound and .practical method of treating cases is first of all to clip the hair from the fetlocks, wash them m warm soapy water ,and thoroughly dry with clean cloth. Zine ointment should then be applied freely to the affected area night and morning. Before each application it is necessary to clean away the grease and exudate with a soft cloth soaked in methylated spirits. Three or four weeks should see the case cured.