IN A NUTSHELL

Shannon News, 28 January 1927, Page 1

IN A NUTSHELL

FARM TAJDK AND BUSINESS GOSSIP. PARS FOR THE MAN ON THE LAND. A cow that produces 3001 b of butterfat makes a great deal more profit lor her owner than do two cows producing 150 lb each. All ploughing should be well finished by now, and so should all pasture top-dressing. The grass paddocks should also be well harrowed to spread the manure left by stock. This will leave only the last breaks of turnip land, or land in other winter fodders, to be ploughed. In Canada in 1909 there were 57,000 acres of lucerne, while in 1924 there were 400,000 acres. In the United States the increase has been even more remarkable, for while the area was 2,000,000 acres in 1900, it had been increased to 10,500,000 in 1924. Just as all animals derive their food from the assembled food of plants, so it seems, all plants derive their food from that prepared in the soil by other and lower forms of life. The process of freezing does not impair the quality of the lamb or mutton as it does the quality of beef, so that the seasonal kill can be frozen immediately and then evenly distributed ex store during the year. A beast which' has at ono time possessed horns is more likely to be cowed by their presence than is one which has never been used to the possession of these Aveapons. Similarly, the "fighter" who. has been dehorned will normally misjudgo her distance by the length of* her horns which are not there—another advantage. Extensive experiments have conclusively proved that, with the help of a proved sire, even the most ordinary herd may, during the course of a few short years, be .improved out of sight, and those who have failed to do so tn the past should make a start with the experiment now.

We must build up our soil fertility. It is the greatest need of agriculture. We can only meet competition by producing not more in the aggregate, but more per acre, and thereby reduce the cost of production and increase profits. Dairymen will get bigger yields from herds that can escape wind and rain, and many a waste tract would be much better for the planting of trees. Pigs prefer clean drinking water, but if they cannot get such will swallow dirty and filthy water. See, therefore, that clean, cold water is provided for them. A woolsack, folded in frcm the sides, makes ah excellent horse blanket, the folded-in part fitting closely round the hind quarters and the flap being fastened round in front of the chest.

Peas make excellent hay when out Si-eon. They can be grown pure or mixed with oats, barley or rye. When gt'dwn in conjunction with imother crop they produce a large amount ot fedder of very high quality. In treating a bruise in a hoi sc, the application of hot water is very useful; but an evaporating lotion is better, particularly if it is used immediately after the animal has injured.

The size and number of veins feeding the udder are indications of the producing ability of the cow. They arc, of course, not milk veins at all, but blood vessels.

Udders that arc not capacious, that are. split up below into quarters, that ' •are unequal in quarters, that do not extend well forward and well up be hind, that are loosely attached, aiti objectionable. There has been a considerable decrease in the area sown in routs in late years. In 1916-17. the area undei roots was 844,642 acres. In 1925-26, the area was 577,525 acres, a decrease of 167,117 acres. A bull should always be handled firmly from the time that it is a youngster, and should never be trusted too far. Carelessness in this direction has led to many a severe accident. A fine, moist seed bed is essential for swedes. It is a good plan to allow lambs a run off on grass when feeding on milked as long as possible. First calvers should always be rape. ______»«_«„——