THE FARM.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 276, 26 August 1881, Page 4

THE FARM.

FLAX CULTURE. As an agricultural crop the growing of flax is as simple as growing cereals, and possibly on the whole it will yield the farmer a better return than his white crop on the average does. The flax prospers best on soil which is firm in texture resting on a moist subsoil, and suits well to succeed oats or potatoes, as it requires the soil to be in fresh condition without being too rich. Manure directly applied is not favourable, as it produces too luxuriant a growth, and mars the quality of the fibre. This is specially the case when the produce is intended for the linen manufacturer ; if for production of coarse fabrics or ropemaking, the objection is not so strong. Nor does it do to be too thickly seeded, the effect of which is to produce tall slender stems free from branches.

In preparing the ground for the reception of the seed, it should he well stirred with the grubber to turn up all weed roots, then harrowed as clean and smooth as possible, and the seed put in with the drill and lightly covered. A« to the quantity of seed per acre, that is a matter which must be determined by practical test and experiment. On the result desired depends the quantity of seed. If it bo fibre for finer work, three bushels per acre is not too thick ; if the fibre is for coarser manufactures, two bushels will suffice ; if for growing for seed alone, one bushel will he more than ample. The time for sowing will also require proving, but probably from the beginning of September till the middle cf October will he found most advantageous. When the plant has attained a height of about three inches, the ground should ho gone over and carefully hand weeded, as weeds not cheeked noware highly injurious to the plant, and will cause far more additional labor at pulling time—in fact, the great secret of successful growing is to keep the ground clean ; and possibly, looking at the question as one of expense, many farmers may ho rather shy at the cost of clearing, hut omitting this at early growth can hardly afterwards he remedied.

The flax ripens in from three to four months, according as it is required for fibre, or both lilire and seed. In earlier times it was considered bad management to give both at one crop. Modern improvements and higher farming have proved now that both can at one time he profitably produced. The flax must he pulled by hand labor, tied up in small hunches of about fix e inches diameter, and laid on tHe ground to dry. After about three days the seed is taken oil', and the straw may either he stocked for further drying before stacking, or forwarded to the manufacturer, as may he arranged. The yield of seed or weight of fibre cannot he given until trials are made ; but in the Upper (bullhorn district, Victoria,.’•■from trials made there, the following results are given Sowing at the rate of two bushels per acre—yield in the proportionof Kill) seed for each pound sown, and dressed flax -tewt per acre. If in a climate such as Victoria so favorable results are obtained, a still better produce may be relied on it in New Zealand.

It will pay our farmers to make the experiment on a small scale—say the trial of of an acre. The seed alone would return them manyfold, simply as a valuable feed and medicine for cattle and horses. For rearing calves by the hand when the milk lias been creamed, a cheap and valuable equivalent is returned to the milk by mixing with a little boiled linseed, and which freely mixes, as a slight boiling reduces the seed to a jelly. The calves get very fond of it, and it wonderfully improves them. Horses also have their appearances greatly improved by occasional feeds. The oil expressed from the seed by a powerful machine is well known to everyone, and forms an item of considerable value in the list of imports. .Sufficient could easily be produced to supply all our wants and leave a good margin for’ exporting. In view also of the increased value and demand for fat cattle, and to maintain a trade for the refrigerators, artificial feed will come largely into request, and all acquainted with cattle-feeding know there is no commodity more highly praised for the purpose than linseed cakes, which is simply the residue of the seed remaining after the oil has been expressed. We hope a number ot our agricultural friends will be enduced to experiment with the flax, or linseed, as it is best known in the trade ; for although the improved prospects of the grain markets may give them a brighter view of the future, it is better for them to try their luck now, and prove whether this product—newto their expres-sion-will not prove more remunerative than appears at first sight.—Otago

When a. cow disgorges licr food it is a sympton of irritation in the stomach and indigestion, probably arising from the presence of too much acid. (Jive her two drachms of carbonate of ammonia, with one ounce of ground ginger in some scalded bran, once a day for a week. Afterwards she should have a little salt and pounded chalk to lick every day as she will take it. We know that the farmers arc greatly interested in the destructon of sparrows and other small birds; but nothing practical has been evolved from the talk on the subject. It may, therefore, lie useful to furnish them with some receipts for the preparation of poisoned materials. Mr. Mcllauy, of the Peninsular, proposes the following :—“Three pounds of turnip seed aud two or three pounds broken wheat to r\ half-diachm stiychuine dissolved with one teaspoonful of spirits of salts; one pint of water along with the poison. Boil it and pour it on the seed. Let it stand until it is wholly absorbed, stirring it at intervals.” Mr A illiam Jcllrey, of Saddle Hill, has another: —-“Ten pounds wheat soaked in boiling water, ladys thimbleful of strychnine two or three drops of spirits of salts ; whole to he soaked for 24 hours, stirred at intervals until the poison is absorbed or three pounds of turnip seed instead of the wheat.” The Secretary of our local Agricultural Association has had the following sent to him : —“Take Ijoz. strychnine and dissolve it in ] pint of boiling vinegar, together with one shilling's worth of phosphorous. 'When fully dissolved add one bucket of water, in which immerse the wheat and allow it fo soak till tire fluid is ! absorbed. This is siilHcicnt for i»olbs of poisoned wheat.” *no i.abbit .Nuisance itill, introduced by 1 ■ lion. Mr i'iek, is just circulated. Its { ' matures are (1) a provision that native j i :own lands may be proclaimed as sub- ! i to the operations of the act ; (2) that j the Governor may appoint inspectors, with I power to take all necessary steps for the destruction of rabbits, and to enter on Crown and native lands for this purpose; (J-i) that the Government may levy a rabbitrate of a farthing an acre (2s Sd being the | minimum amount.) to defray expenses, those involved in respect of Crown and Native j lands to he paid by the colony ; (4) landowners are to destroy all rabbits on their - holdings under a penalty of L2O per week I for neglecting to do so ; (5) the penalty for j obstructing an Inspector is L2O, ami for I liberating live rabbits Lot), or six months' imprisonment with had labour.