THE VIRTUE OF THE BLUE. GUM.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 294, 29 August 1888, Page 2

THE VIRTUE OF THE BLUE . GUM.

A correspondent of a "Wanganui paper writes :—": — " I have been informed that there is considerable mortality in the lamb flocks up the coast, and that some of the settlers are heavy losers thereby. It may surprise them to know that a very simple and effectual remedy lies at their very doors, possibly unheeded by most of them, Perhaps its simplicity will, in some cases, prove a barrier to its use. The plan or remedy is to cut down one or more blue-gum trees, according to the size of the flock. Lop off some of tKe boughs, and cart them into the fields where the lambs are running, strew them about m the most, frequented parts, when the result will surprise as well as delight the flock-owners, I have during the present season practically realised the benefit of this simple and most effectual remedy, and would not he afraid with its use to run lambs on the most polluted of pasture I was induced to try this novel way of treating my young flock by seeing in the newspaper during the last year or two that a well-known sheep farmer down Rnnsfitikei way had turned some wretched looking lambs into a young gum tree plantation, and to his surprise they commenced eating the tops, with the result that they were cured and throve wonderfully. I feel certain that the same happy results will attend those persons trying the above plan, as was the case with the writer."