THE FARMER.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 541, 3 July 1880, Page 3

THE FARMER.

IMPROVED MACHINERY. It is gratifying to find that improvements in the construction and manufacture of agricultural machinery are continually going on. Compared with the farmer of thirty or forty years ago, the fanner of the present day has many advantages in regard to implements and machinery. Whether in preparing the land for a crop, in sewing the seed or in harvesting and thrashing the grain, in cadi department better implements and more perfect machinery arc now obtainable. By papers recicved last mail, I notice that a patent has been granted for a new sowing machine—the object of the invention being to provide an implement which will sow seeds and distribute manure broadcast and which, by a slight modification will also discharge the same into furrows. MIXING MILK. A correspondent of the American Cultivator says the milk of cows of different breeds must bo kept separate to secure the best results. It would* naturally bo supposed be says that if ten Shorthorns are giving a yield of G5 lbs. of butter a week the addition to the herd of two Jerseys making 20 lbs. a week, would raise the product to Solbs. But this, he finds, is not the case. The mixture of the milk iuvaribly reduces the yield. He gives the experience of several dairymen m support of his statement. One, who added two high-grade Jerseys to his herd, found tlia it made uo preemptible increase iu the quantity of butler produced, yet on keeping the Jersey milk separate, he found that one cow made 12 lbs. of butter weekly, and the second but little less, while the original herd, on careful tost, yielded as before. Another who hud twelve cows, the majority of them Jerseys, obtained but 38 lbs. of butter, from cream which should have produced at least 70 lbs., but on keeping the cream of his Jerseys and Shorthorns separate, and with eight clay’s cream instead of seven, as iu the previous experiment, he obtained 834 lbs. This is one of those practical experiments which should be carefully tested bj' the dairymen. An increase in the yield of one’s herd, be it even as small as in the leastabove reported, makes a marked difference in the annual profit. DO BEES PAY? A bcc-keepcr of nineteen year’s experiecc, and who lias paid clearly for some of bis knowledge, writing to the Agricultural Gazette, says :—“ It is a much disputed question as to whether bees pay. Our opinion, if it is worth anything, is, if the more outlay is taken into the question, no farm stock pays so well. It is a poor season if wc do not clear 30s from cadi hive, besides a couple of good swarms which ought to sell for at least £2.” As to the produce of honey, the following will be read with interest :—“ At a recent meeting of the North American Beekeepers’ Society, Mr Newman, ajjpoiutccl a delegate to represent America at honey shows and conventions held in Europe, said that America stands first in the wot Id for honey production, as well as for scientific management and improved implements for the apiary,” ' FATTENING HOGS. Three years ago, in the States, a gold medal was offered to ihc farmer who should three years iu succession, fatten the eightteen heaviest hogs raised by himself. For two years the prize was taken by Mr. Southard, but for the third year Mr. Harrison bore away the palm for 30 hogs averaging G9l lbs, and 18 averaging 734 lbs. Carter’s heaviest pig weighed 850 lbs., Southard’s BG3 lbs., Harrison's 820 lbs. It appears that the Harrisons have been engaged in hog-feeding for three generations upon the same farm, always making heavy hogs, and feel well satisfied that it is a paying business when properly managed. Many of these immense hogs have not seen the light of day for some time, their eyes being closed with fat upon their cheecks, but they: are able to rise upon

their feet without assistance for a very short time, requiring the constant attention of an attendant both day and night. HOME-GROWN TIMBER. • Growing timber trees appears to be a profitable industry in the. old country. Periodical sales take place, and good prices arc invariably obtained. “Timber Trades’ Journal” reports a sale by Messers Meller.sb. on the 31st March at the King’s Arms Hotel, Godalniing, of 5000 oak timber trees, 35 ash, 45 elm, 308 Scotch fir, 04 larch, and 720 follows. Out of the whole 35 lots offered 31 were disposed of, the prices realised varying from 2s up to 2s 6d per cubic foot, and the competition was fairly brisk.