A LAND OF PROMISE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 137, 17 June 1926, Page 1

A LAND OF PROMISE.

TOKOROA SETTLEMENT. Cattle Sickness. Symptoms and Remedies. (No. 7). “ That cow has given that man four months’ notice.” Driving along a by-road a beast was seen lying on the road side. It was curied up and in a sorry state. Its eyes staring, and coat standing on end, it was but a bag of bones. On being approaches, the cow rose and moved along weakly. It was in the last stages of the cattle-sickness known at Tokoroa. It was then that the writer’s guide uttered the words which open this article. Four months ago the beast uad shown the usual symptoms and later had been turned out. on the roadside to die. The question Ur n arose why was it not cared for? Many farmers hsivo already stated that by taking reas nable precautions cattle sickness has been kept down on their farms to the usual percentage (3 per cent to 6 per cent) of illness which any big herd is liable to. On the other hand, as in all walks of life, some people don’t both- j er. Such cows are simply left to. die. Investigation proved that this is due to several causes, the chief of which is the lack of any authoritative statement in regard to remedial measures. Further, the average farmer has not the capital to experiment with, and on top of this many have not the necessary qualifications to diagnose and treat such serious ailments. In view of this Mr. J. Campbell, manager of the Matarawa Land Company, was approached and asked for his experience in regard to the treatment of cattle sickness.

Mr. Campbell holds strongly that by suitable methods of cultivation, and prompt remedial measures when any animals take sick, the trouble can be practically stamped out. As this is the outcome of his own practical experience’ at Tokoroa over a period of seven or eight years it must, ■of course, carry weight. His theories, proved in practice, on cultivation, are easily summed up. Briefly they are as follows: Cultivation must be thorough, and where possible it is a great advantage to allow virgin soil to lie fallow through a winter. Humus must be put in the soil, and to obtain that green stuff should be ploughed in whenever possible. Lastly, consolidation must be effected, and rolling is advised as being essential. Add to this frequent top-dressings of pastures with artificial manures, and his story of the cultivation of the virgin soil is complete. Referring to cattle-sickness, Mr. Campbell holds that if the first symptoms are noticed (as they should be), and taken in time, a cure can be effected very simply. The animals should he immediately dosed with a quart (bottle) of linseed oil. Afterwards hand-feeding is necessary, and a mixture of bran and Moose-nuts, damped with molasses, is advised. If these measures have been taken promptly, and provided the animal is otherwise of a healthy constitution, a decided change for the better should be noticed in three or four days.

Sometimes an animal is not noticed in time and the above measures have little effect. Scouring then sets in, and the worst stages of the sickness supervene. Drastic measures have then to be taken; and the animal housed, if possible, and kept waim. To stop the scouring a handful of sulphate of iron should be dissolved in hot water and allowed to cool. With this the animal is drenched. If necessary the dose is- repeated in four or five days. During this time bran, Moose-nuts and molasses are fed as advised before. As soon as possible afterwards, the animals should he put on fresh pastures, for a couple of months. These remedies have been tried by Mr. Campbell and have proved to be efficacious. If one man has been successful with such treatment, there seems to he no reason why others (Continued in Next Column.)

should not be equally so. It is largely a question of care and observation. On many farms at Tokoroa sickness is unknown. Mr. Stringer has for seven years been rearing his own calves, all have done well, and he has been troubled with no sickness. Messrs. Cooke and Wilkinson also have the same experience. Farming 170 acres, all their heifers have been reared on the farm, and next season they will be milking 30 of them. Many other farmers report the same experience, and there obviously must be some reason for the fact that some farms are thus immune from cattlesickness. To try and assist in discovering this reason has been one of the main objects of this se'ries of articles, and now having given the evidence of leading farmers of Tokoroa, an endeavour will be made in succeeding articles to sum up the evidence in regard to the true capabilities of the Tokoroa soil, and also the possibilities of stamping out entirely the cause of cattle-sickness.