FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 17 October 1907, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

ISKi .MILK YIELDS, About 20 years ago; when corn in went down ruinously low, Lord : 'lijgli, of Witham, Essex, adapted .k to circumstances, and began ' r.; to meet the altered conditions. i-.v-ent the Withjim farms contain t ' -1 extensive fields in the county • i r.-sex. About 2000 acres of this esi ■( • is kept in hand for dairying, and ver 800 cows are retained on this portion. These are not all congregated on uue farm, but are accommodated at various homesteads, wltere the usual accessories of farmhouse buildings, etc., are situated. There is at each farm a managing man. who keeps a record of all milk yields. Seven hundred. 800 and IKKI gallons are common yilds, in til' Witham herds, and many exceeded 1000 gallons. A few instances of the latter may be interesting. Young Star, a home-bred half-Dutch cow. gave her first calf in 1897, and gave 007 gallous of milk. With her third calf she gave 943 gallons. In 1905 (her ninth calf) she gave 1000 gallons, and in 1900 (she calved on September 8) and up to May 31, 1907, a period of 35 weeks, had given 1233 gallons. This cow has had nine calves. She must lie nearly a dozen years old, and her last milking record tops the lot, a fine score for an old cow. Toy began to give milk with a yield of 609 gallons in 189!). In 1905-G she gave 1030 gallons. She calved on Marelr26th, 1907, and is now giving 18 quarts per dav. Donna gave 1092 gallons in 1901-2. 1354 gallons in 1902-3, 1035 gallons 1903-4, 1050 galtons ill 1904-5, 1012 gallons in 1905-6. She calved last time on March 5, 1907, anil is now giving 21 quarts per day. The total here is 5548 gallons in five successive years. But Donna does not cap the milk-giving records to be found in the books at Witham. A cow named Captive gave 1004 gallons in 47 weeks in 1892-3, 1424 gallons in 52 weeks in 1893-4, and 1074 gallons in 1894-5. Ts not this last yield a record?

A few potatoes now and then will be relished by most horses.

The real value of a film can be increased many times by proper training. In the care of domestic animals it is easier to prevent disease than to cure it. Heavy grain stands more chance to produce heavy grain than mixed light and heavy seed. The horse appears to be easily affected bv any abrupt change in the nature or quantity of his food. In harrowing, rolling, mowing, reaping —in fact, all farm work—a fast-walking team is highly desirable. When changing a horse's food it should be done gradually. Sudden changes of diet are always dangerous. The team should be well mated, not in color or style, though these are desirable, but in temperament and ability. Few farmers think of teaching their horses fore than to start a«vl stop at their word. A horse learns by repetition. As one horse will do more work than another so will one require more food than another, and the careful feeder must regulate his rations accordingly.

A feed of bran is good once or twice a week —given as a warm bran mash in ihe evening, and with the adoption of a cup of boiled linseed on Saturday night. Xnt" a pound of farmyard manure should be allowed to go to wastt. r t is valuable both for tlie lefuirty it contains and for the fibre that is in it, which decavs and forms humus.

A great advantage of humus js that it holds water and lightens up the soil. It alMi sets loose an acid in its decay which acid helps to set loose other plant food elements in thewoil. One hmbitious and one lazy horse make a most unpleasant team. They should be about equally matched in strength also, for there are many times when their strength will need to be tested. The Navy Department of the United States calls for butter that scores not less than !).) points, that has not more than 13 per cent of moisture, and that has in it no more than S'/ 3 per cent of salt. _ Carrots act upon the kidneys, slightly increasing their action. They al->o posess certain alterative properties and tend to improve the appetite, and give a smooth and glossy appearance to the hor'"'s coat. Impure water is unhealthy and dangerous to all life, and the sooner that farmers understand th.s and draw he; own drinking water and that foi their gtoek from some clean, pure source the belter it will be for all concerned.