HINTS TO FARMERS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2370, 7 November 1881, Page 4

HINTS TO FARMERS.

The Treatment of Wounds.—Animals often meet with accidents which cause cut wounds, which should be stitched up as promptly as possible. In such cases (s*.ys the “ Federal Australian”) the stitches should have a wide, tolerably deep hold, should be of wire or cat-gut, and should be sufficiently near together to ensure that no one stitch has to bear too much strain. In considerable wounds, liable to be dragged open by the animal’s moving, the horse for several days should be kept tied up close to the head, so as to prevent his lying down, In extensive lacerations, such as badly broken knees, it may further be desirable to place the animals in slings, and thus relieve the injured parts from weight or strain. Where there has been little bruising, and where no irritating foreign matters have been loft in contact with the abraded surface, even large wounds heal up by first intention, or with very little suppuration, and often leaving surprisingly little cicatrisation or mark. In recent cases, where the parts are bruised, hot fomentations are applied to ensure cleanliness, and combat pain and swelling. Where cleansing or removal of irritation are unnecessary, cold water is sometimes applied gently over the cut surfaces. An occasional carbolic dressing acts beneficially as an antiseptic. But once a wound is put up, the less it is meddled with the belter. No external dressing can furnish the reparative materials naturally laid down to repair the breach. Obstructed Teat.—A correspondent of the ‘‘National Live Stock Journal” says:—“l have a young Jersey cow that has just dropped a calf. One front teat does not give any milk, except a tablespoonful at a time. The bag seems full, but not caked, and has not been at any time. There does not seem to be any malformation. The teat is the same size as the others. What is the probable difficulty, and can it be overcome ? ” To which the “Journal” replies as follows: “ The flow of milk from the teats may be hindered by a variety of causes ; but whatever the nature of the obstruction may be, and whether partial or complete, there is a consequent liability to inflammation of the uddor, especially about the time of calving. The obstruction may bo due to the presence within the canal of the teat of milk stones, tumors attached to the lining of the teat, stricture, or to occlusio nby false membrane. Sometimes these entirely stop the flow of milk, and at others a small stream can be got by much pressure. Generally it will not be safe to attempt extraction of milk stones or tumors from the end of the teat, as the irritation thus caused may result in inflammation and loss of the quarter. It is preferable in such cases to pass a silver probe or knitting needle up through the teat, and push the obstructing body into the milk cistern above, where it may remain without further inconvenience. In the case of stricture or occlusion by false membrane, a double-edged probe may be passed up through the teat, and an elastic rubber bougie inserted, with the precaution of letting an inch of its length protrude outside the teat, to facilitate its removal at milking time. Its insertion may not be needed longer than a few days to a week, and the cow may be milked by means of a milking tube. Feeding to Increase the Yield of Milk In some cases of extraordinary yield it has been found (says the “ American Dairyman”) that skim milk has been feddo cows in large quantities, and all the cow had to do was to act as a sort of strainer. Of late years the use of brewers’ grains has become universal where they could be obtained, and the result has been an increased yield, by some claimed to be of poor quality and by others to be first-class, giving as evidence the condition of the cows—which generally are in good condition and in many cases really fat—those who claim the latter asserting that cows in thriving fat condition must give rich milk. One ot the most prominent producers and shippers of milk for the New York market feeds his cows exclusively on these grains winter and summer. Oorn meal and bran, in the proportion of equal parts by weight, have been considered one of the best mixtures, while an addition of oil cake, either of flax or cotton seed, has, in the opinion of many, been amply repaid by the increased product of butter. The general custom of American dairy farmers has been to depend upon grass alone during the summer, but of late some have practised giving a small ration of meal or bran, and with very good results, both in the yield of milk and butter. It is generally taught that nitrogenous food adds to the casein in milk, and that carbonaceous compounds increase the butter product, and the reasoning seems to be plausible, as cheese contains a large proportion of nitrogenous matter, while butter is almost entirely a fatty substance largely composed ot carbon.