FARMING NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4444, 24 July 1922, Page 2

FARMING NOTES.

CARE OF THE STOCK. In a few remarks to a “Gazettj” reporter last week Mr. J. Costello, the well-known veterinarian, said that this is the time of the year for the farmer to take care of the dairy cow. Through damp lying, colds, chills, and various other diseases are contractedThis is the time wheii the farmer sustains qiost of. his losses. The most important period is abput September, calving time, and the farmer needs to be awake to the fact that delays are dangerous in these cases- Abortion in the Patetonga district, claimed Mr. Costello, had been brought down to a minimum. In some other parts, due mostly to neglect, this malady .was very prevalent. Patetcmga’-s good position in this respect may be due to the fact that it has a fairly good water supply. CATTLE TICK. Catile tick, said the veterinarian, was not characteristic of New Zealand, and with the prevailing climatic conditions the incubation was not very strong. There was nothing to be alarmed about iji this district. There had been a lot of controversy about dips, but he had not known this to be an effective cure. Impregnation with some insipid solution into the system would be detrimental to the microbe organism. A very good precaution would be for the farmer to look over the herds and get the ticks while they were yet in small numbers.

According to the papers, continued Mr. Costello, a large amount of money had been spent in Queensland experimenting with cures for the tick, but without result. A lot .could be done be the farmers bn their own farms to combat the evil.

September was the breeding season for tbe tick, which was dormant from January to August; When the spring came the tick exerts its privileges and becomes active in the form of a sperm. As the weather gets warmer it develops. Previous to the apeparance of the tick washing in a strong standard solution would be a good precautionary measure.

Mr. Costello was quite emphatic that dipping was not the real solution to the tick trouble ,as that process only wet the outside. Impregnation with force would solve the problem.