NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

The Distribution of Foodstuffs. Weaknesses in the world’s distributive system are receiving increasing attention by thinkers everywhere. A New Zealand echo was heard in Auckland recently on the subject of milk delivery, and some reference to the world problem of disI tribution was made at Geneva by Mr Henderson, British Foreign Secretary. The world seems to have solved the problem of production but, as Mr Henderson i points out, “ unemployment, poverty, and starvation exist while the corn-bins ot Europe and countries overseas are bursting with food which cannot be sold.” The i International Wheat Producers’ Confer- | cnee in London is considering limitation ) of output as one remedy, but that can only be a palliative; the root of the matter will be not reached- without an overhaul of the distributive system. The causes of the present marketing deadlock are fairly well understood but, since international interests crops up at every turn of the way, it is not easy to clear the path.

Grass Silage. Successful methods of making grass ensilage in stack were described by Mr Fred Nuttall at a gathering of Bolton (England) agriculturists recently. Some years ago, said Mr Nuttall, silage was considered wasteful, but the mistake was then made of cutting the stack in the same way that hay was cut, instead of gradually pulling it evenly from the top. The use of the knife was fatal, as it admitted air and set up decomposition, and towards the bottom of the, stock the fodder became unusable. They now knew, however, that if properly made and used from top to bottom there need be very little waste; in fact, from the stack made last year there was not a load carted to the midden. A considerable quantity of grass was needed to make good silage, and the second crop was much to be preferred. Occasionally they had made a stack from the fust crop, but owing to the enormous weight of material to move, the practice was not to be recommended. Last year, after the first, crop had been taken from 18 acres, the field was dressed with nitro-chalk. and they had the best crop of eddish he had ever seen. The season was very favourable for growth, and this, combined with the artificials, no doubt contributed to the wonderful results. He calculated that they moved something like 100 tons of moist and very often wet grass, and, judging by the rate at which the fodder had been used, they must have had at least 80 tons of matured silage, something like 16cwt per day having been used for 80 cows.

Farm Work for June. Early ploughing is a big factor in securing healthy and vigorous crops, and we should endeavour’ to turn over lea and stubble lands to the influence of atmospheric conditions as soon as possible, ffhe sowing of cereals and possibly some feeding off of too growthy crops may be advisable, but due care must be observed, for once the knots (on wheat, lor example) are showing it is time to call a halt.. Liming is a seasonable operation. Al! potatoes should now be lifted and seed sorts selected. Good-looking tubers are not enough. They should be selected from the best-yielding plants. The setting of potatoes in boxes tor sprouting is a timely job if early crops are desired. Once the mangel crop commences to show signs of yellow on the lower leaves the mangels should be pulled and harvested. If some swedes are saved they will come in useful for early lambing ewes and milking cows in early spring. The harrowing of grass lands should not lie neglected; by this means the droppings are distributed and the pasture aerated. The use of heavy harrows is advised. All shelter sheds and plantations should now be tidied up, and some planting done for shelter in the years to come. Burn a!! rubbish and tidy up the holding. Overhaul the cart harness, using neatsfoot oil, and sort out and repair implements. Stock require more generous feeding now that lower temperatures prevail. See that old farm horses are allowed time to chew their food and provide some concentrated food for young animals. Attend to all breeding ewes, and give an eye to the rams, removing the latter after .eight weeks’ service. It is not a good practice to drag out the lambing season indefinitely. Look well to the pigs and see that they have ample shelter, warmth, etc. Feed all milking cows to their limit, and give a thought to the dry in-calf cows. No farm stock should be allowed to lose condition for lack of food.

England’s Veterinary College, It is possible that some of the graduates of the Royal Veterinary College. England, who are prospering abroad may wish to come to the rescue of their Alma Mater. A fight for existence is being carried on by the Royal Veterinary College. It is a fight to raise £40.000 within the next few

months. The college, which discovered the means of stamping out glanders, and has bestowed many other benefits on all whose livelihood depends to any degree upon animals, is going round with the hat. If the hat is not filled there will be an end to the most important training centre for veterinary students in England. The Home Country, already far out-distanced by many countries in the race for veterinary research, is in danger of sinking to the lowest on the list of those recognising the importance of veterinary science. Here in England, writes a Farmer and Stock Breeder correspondent, we have one college—struggling for existence. In so-called barbarian Russia the desire to relieve animal disease is strong enough to set up not one but 14 veterinarycolleges of national standing, and to keep them going on the most progressive lines. The Russian veterinary effort, of course, arises from purely practical motives, but those motives are equally applicable here. Some misapprehension exists leading to the belief on the part of some prominent English farmers that the Royal Veterinary College is not in the right place, and that it should be in the country. But a place in the country forms an essential part of the scheme, whose adoption is only deferred by the need for funds. Research into the diseases of farm animals is thus specifically included in the scheme, to be conducted in an area of a definite agricultural character. It is scarcely just, therefore, to withhold support from the campaign for funds for the college merely on the ground that its situation is not the most appropriate from the purely agricultural point of view. One has only to visit the college to realise bow imminent is the calamity threatening it. The walls are shored up by timber; the rain pours through roofs that can scarcely be further patched; the common room of the students is pervaded by the odour of decay; everywhere the work is hampered by the mockery of makeshift. The wonder is that students stay beyond a week, for the whole place has a look of forlorn despair and might well be the home of the faded family of care. The courage and forward-looking minds of Professor Hobday and his staff could alone inspire the will to work in such a range of hovels.

Even in these days there must be farmers who could spare a little help. The breed societies, with the N.F.U. branches, could give a splendid lead. The new’ sport of greyhound racing is doing something. Professor Hobday ventured among the backers and bookies at Belle Vue, Manchester, recently. He obtained £2OO from the directors, another £lOO from the sale and resale of a greyhound, and another £195 from a “whip round,” making £495 hi all. Some one with a fondness for round figures put in a five-pound note and brought the total up to the clear £5OO. It ought to be possible for farmers to organise similar collections, for their support to the Red Cross and the Relief of Allies Funds during the war stands as a record of noble generosity. Here is another cause that deserves their support —the raising of the remaining £40,000 which shall ensure the rebuilding of the Royal Veterinary College.

AGRICOLA.