ON THE LAND

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 January 1917, Page 3

ON THE LAND

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

(From the Journal of Agriculture.)

POULTRY BREEDING

"Subscriber," Masterton : —Ts it advisable to set eggs of hens in their first year of laying ? Does the one-year-old roostei do for . breeding purposes? What is the best age for breeding-birds—hens and rooster? The Live stock Division (Poultry Branch) : -It is preferable to breed from hens in their second laying season rather than from pullets! There is no great objection, however, to breeding from pullets provided they are strong, well developed birds and have laid over thirty eggs each. It is advisable if using pullets in the breeding-pen to mate them with second -year male birds. Cockerels over nine months old are suitable for mating with mature hens. HEDGE FOR PIPE-CLAY LAND. " Inquirer," Mangapai :—Oan you tell me the best hedge to plant round a garden near a house on pipeclay land in an exposed position ? The Horticulture Division :—There are several hedge-plants that would suit your purpose, such as the common laurel, broad-leaved privet Eleagnus, etc. The last named should do very well. LOPPING TREE-TOPS. 0. E. Leiren, Eaumai:—The gale 1 a few days ago blew down many tres, as the ground was so wet. Will you please advise me the proper time of the year to lop the tops of the following : Macrocarpa. msienia and wattle. ' ' The Horticulture Division:— Trees may be topped at practically any time. Early spring, however, it considered the best time, as they come away again quicker. In the summer many of the evergreen trees are beneficially affected by the re- ' raoval of foliage, and there is not the dangor of bleeding sometimes feared. CONTROL OF POTATO BLIGHT. ' J. G -Hen.ty, Wosland :—Kindly advise the best way to prevent potato-bligbt. [ propose planting half an acre. What seed would be best? The Fields Division : —The most satisfactory method of preventing potato blight is to systematically spray with Bordeaux mixture. This is made washing through coarsesacicing 41b freshly burnt lime into a solution consisting of/4lb best blue^ stone (copper sulphate) and 40 gallona oi water. The whole should be mixed aw \ kept in a wo oden barrel, and -wooden buckets used in handling it. A Knapsack sprayer will be sufficient for your purposes, spray the potatoes when 4in hi°-h, and four or five times thereafter turougheut the season. Gamekeeper is a good mamcrop potato and is somewhat blight-resisting, Maori Chief is tho best blight-resister we have. * • ' , REARING MOTHERLESS LAMBS, F,8., Waitoa :—I would feel much obliged if you would kindly inform me as to the oorreot method of .rearing motherless lambs? The Live Stock Division : —Onethird water and two^thirds milk should bo given to the lambs to start with. Afterwards the per centage of milic could be increased. It is also beneficial to add a little barley-water occasionally. The liquid should be given at about the temperature of the houy. The secret in rearing young la-nts is to keep them warm and give them small quantities of food at a time (about .half a teaoupful) and often—every two houra to start with, ■