FARM AND GARDEN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 336, 11 February 1911, Page 2

FARM AND GARDEN.

SEED MIXTURE FOR BUSH BURNS. "H.P.," Blenheim, writes as follows to the "Journal of the Department of Agriculture" : —■ "Could you inform me through your "Journal" what would be the most suitable mixture of grass seed to sow on bush burns in the Tamaki district, Dannevirke; also what quantity of turnip and rape seed could be sown without injuring the grass in any way; also the most suitable varieties. The land is flat, and a rich alluvial overlying shingle, but stony in places?" The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms replies:—■ "On land of the description mentioned, rich alluvial flats, the grasses usually availed of are—Rye grass, 151b to 201b; cocksfoot, 71b to 101b; clovers, 31b to Jib; and rape or turnips, lib to 21b. The turnip or rape seed is sown with the intention of enabling a considerable number of stock to be depastured on newly-burnt land, in order that the fresh growth of scrub may be crushed and prevented form re-establishing itself. It often happens in suitable localities that quite a valuable crop of rape or turnips results. No injury need be anticipated to the grass. The correspondent is at the same time very much recommended to acquaint himself with the practice obtaining in the district referred to. It often happens, from peculiarities of climate, land, etc., conditions are varied, and very sharply so in certain localities. We are not acquainted with the farm in question, hence the recommendation that local experience should not be overlooked."

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF"DRY" FARMING.

"Dry farming" is a term that comes to us from the United States. It is merely our old friend thorough cultivation, to conserve the moisture in the soil. It is a form of agriculture recommended in dry districts in the United States where irrigation is not possible. The following ten commandments have been drafted for the guidance of those who pursue cultivation: — 1. Thou shalt plough deep. Deep ploughing lets rain get into soil easily without run off. 2. Thou shalt keep the surface soil loose. A loose surface keeps soil moisture from evaporating. 3. Thou shalt cultivate level. Level soil has the least soil exposed to the air; level soil will take in rainfall much faster than ridged soil. 4. Thou shalt summer-fallow when rainfall is less than 15in. Summerfallow saves up two years' rain for one crop and kills weeds and plant diseases 5. Thou shalt add organic matter tn the soil. Organic matter holds moisture and plant food. 6. Thou shalt keep down the weeds. 7. Thou shalt grow early maturing crops, because growing conditions are best in early summer and winter grains better than spring grains. 8. Thou shalt grow maize every three to five years. The cultivation given saves moisture and kills weeds and plant diseases. 9. Thou shalt grow clover or lucerne every few years. Clover and alfalfa add fertility and organic matter to the soil. 10. Thou shalt keep stock. The most profitable way of marketing grain and fodder is through stock.

; FOWLS AND WATER. i Fowls are copious drinkers, and ! apart from the cruelty of keeping them days and days without tvater j perhaps feeding on dry grain the i while,all manner of diseases will follow I negligence in maintaining a good supi ply. So necessary is water to fea- ; the red creatures that many wild birds in dry summer weather will eat fruit for the juice it contains, when it is contrary to their nature to do so. So true is this that many fruitgrowers will contend that where water is naturally plentiful or supplied, the wild birds are not nearly such a nuisance in destroying fruit. The water, of course, must be pure. Rain waters contains impurities from the air which : may no nutritious to vegetables, but '; directly the opposite to animals. If ! drinking vessel j are allowed to be i exposed to the sun-light, the contents will putrify, not only losing their health-giving properties, but developing those that are absolutely poisonous. Then, again, water, though not to such an extent as milk, will absorb impurities from the air, so that if it is left standing whsrc there are foul smells arising from drains, decaying i vegetables, or accumulations of manure, it is extremely dangerous to drink • it. Many animals, it is true, will j "wallow in the mire," and ducks ! often may be seen drinking the filthiest of stagnant water with apparent j reliclj. POULTRY BREVITIES. Well-bred fowls cost no more to keep than mongrels. Hens that stop laying may be induced to ccnliune their good work by a complete change of food. Many hens cease laying when they I have plenty to eat and nothing to do. In such case throw grain amongst straw or other light rubbish, and let the hen 3 find it. Exei ; cise will render the hens healthy and rid them of the superfluous fat. Then they will begin to think it is time to attend to business. Fat breeds laziness, and laziness is the handmaid of sterility. Prevention of disease, not the cure of it, should be uppermost in a poultry- '■ keeper's mind. j Poultry houses must now have regu- ; lar attention. Phenyle solution, kerosene emul--1 sion, and other vermin destroyers I should be frequently used in poultry I houses.

Do not forget the roosts and nest boxes. They are harbours for vermin. Let them be well saturated with these vermin destrovers.

Put all surplus eggs into cold storage, or preserve them in waterglass. The lime method is a past number. The sooner surplus birds are got rid of the better. The young ones will then have more room and better treatment.