JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1924, Page 4

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE.

The principal article in the current April issue of this publication treats of the investigation by the Agriculture Department of “’hush-sickness” the obscure malnutrition or deficiency disease of domestic ruminants which occurs in an extensive area of the Lake District of the North Island. The writer, B. C. Aston, describes the work of the past five years at the special demonstration farm, at Mnmaku, operated by the Department in connection with the investigation, and shows how considerable success has been attained in elucidating and combating this trouble, which has been such a serious handicap to the region in question as regards development ol the pastoral and daily industries. The so-called “turnip-fly”, an insect post which annually destroys large areas of turnips in the seed-leaf stage, is the subject of ail interesting illustrated article by I). Miller. As the result of his investigations in various parts of the Dominion the writer has establish-, e l the fact that the “fly” is the beetle of the grass-grub, and measures for control are discussed in this relation. Other raiders of young lurnip-orops such as the cutworm, are also dealt with. The series on Irrigation, by H. B. Teunent and .1. It. Marks, is continued, the current article dealing with various underlying physical principles, the “duly” of water in irrigation, the waler-hoiding capacity of different soils, measurement of water, etc. .1. fW'oodfin concludes his articles oil eidcimiiking. the whole affording a timely guile for New Zealand conditions. Spontaneous combustion of bay is discussed by .1. TV. Deem, in tbc light of a recent exlKU'ier.ce at the .Moumabaki Experimental Farm. 1!. ’Waters writes on loss in weight of stored apples, kinking suggestions, which should he o srecial use to cool-store operators. The regular monthly features and miscellaneous matter complete the issue.