FARMERS' COLUMN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 160, 11 March 1915, Page 7

FARMERS' COLUMN.

CONCRETE FLOORS. The use of concrete, where the aggregate (sand and gravel) are readily obtained, is becoming more popular every clay, and numerous enquiries are made as to the construction of floors of this material. "Hoatffl's Dairyman" gives particulars of a floor for cowstalls, which embodies some new features worth noticing. For length of stall, 4ft 6in is considered enough for Jerseys, and sft for larger breeds. The passage-way behind tire cows should be at least 4ft wide, sloping towards the gutter, iin to the foot. The gutter is 20in wide, and has a 3m slope towards the passageway at the back of the animals. The front of the stallfloor is depressed 2in for a distance of 14in, beyond which the stall-floor slopes lin towards the gutter. The depression under the animal's fore-feet affords additional foothold. The floor is built in slabs, the division lines showing the sections of the work. The feed-passage has a slab sin thick, and the manger and curb from, the n-ext section. A template will be necessary for shaping the manger. The stanchion supports should be set before placing concrete for the curb. The next section will be the stall-floor, Gin thick, then the gutter and flcor of the passage. Manger, curb, and gutter should be finished with a steel trowel. The other portions of the floor should be finished with a wood float, so that a rough surface will be left. The mixture recommended for this purpose is 1 part Portland cement, 2 parts sand or screenings, 3 parts gravel or broken stone varying from gin to 1 in. All foreign matter should be washed out of the aggregate. The quality cf the work depends mainly on the mixing which shauld be dene thoroughly, the quantitjies being measured in carefully. If the foundation is damp, a 6in layer cf sand or gravel should be first put down.

DESTROYING SORREL. SOME SOUND ADVICE. A farmer gives the following helpful information for its eradication: "I can guarantee a practical clearance of the rubbish if the land is treated with lime and some form of potash. Sorrel appears to come vary strongly after using superphosphate for several years, and the root formation thickens and strengthens. It is when it reaches such a stage that it is most difficult to get rid of. On the fallow I should use the spring-tooth cultivator freely during the hot weather, so as to kill the big roots by meaiis of the sun's rays. If they can be dragged together and destroyed by fire, so much the better. When using the springtooth the lime could be applied up to a ton par acre; I used from Bcwt to lOcwt per acre. It would pay well to throw the paddock out. of crop for a season, so as to be able to work it. The first application of the lime will have a considerable effect upon the weed, as where it grows after liminjg it will be stunted and sparse. Another dragging about and liming in the autumn will practically settle it altogegether if a dusting with kainit or sulphate of potash be added. That was the method I followed, and it has proved successful beyond a doubt, for the land has been converted from a sorrel patch to such as will grow anything except sorrel. The connection in the use cf superphosphates for some years and the increase of sorrel is of interest to wheatgrowers here." A HINT TO LAND CLEARERS. A s an aid in land-clearing, Mr Frank Cotton offers an idea which, from his experience, he considers should be of service, says the Sydney "Daily Telegrap." "This method," he says, "applies only to ground encumbered by old stumps or dry ring-barked timber. The outfit required is a crowbar, a long-handled shovel, and an ordinary inch augur, with the shank lengthened to about sft. The first step is to put dcwn a hole about 2ft Gin deep at any convenient point on one side of the tree or stump. Then start at ground level on the opposite side, and bore a slanting" hole through the tap root to a point a few inches above the bottom cf the hole. Then light a small fire in the hole, and as soon as the flame draws steadily up through the auger hole, no further attention is required."

Farmer (to physician): "If you get out my way, doctor, any time, I wish you'd stop and see my wife. She says she ain't feelin' well." Physician: "What are some of her symptoms?" Farmer: "I dunno. This mornin', after she had milked the cows, an' fed the stock, an' got breakfast for the hands, an' washed the dishes, an' built a fire under the soft-soap kettle in the lane, an' done a few jobs 'bout the house, she commenced feelin' kinder tired. I shouldn't be surprised if her blood was our of order. I guess she needs a dose of medicine."