FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 30 October 1907, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY

BREVITIES. When the, cow gets uneasy and kicks, do not get mad and rush off for a club. Better see whether you have been squeezing a sore tear or your finger-nails .lig into ths teats. Trim your nails and milk gently. Rough handling never will breaK a cow of kicking. The deeper that water can bo drawn from the soil the purer it generally is, and the shallow well filled with debris, organic and impure matter should be filled up at once, not only to secure the safety of the stock, but the health and strength of the whole family. Onions are vastly benefited by hoeing between the rows, Tmt the soil-stirring has to be done very carefully so as not to injure the embryo bulbs or loosen and destroy any of the roots. Witli this proviso none need hesitate to move the ground close up to the base of the plants. When lucerne is fed green it should not be cut when the dew or rain is on it. The best way is to cut on a bright day sufficient feed for t.wo or_ three days. Cut lucerne when the dew is off, spread it well, and let lie until late in the afternoon, then put it up in small heaps and cover it.

Sheep are the best animals to turn into the orchard. They keep the grass close, do not pack the soil as much as other stock, and distribute droppings well. Young trees are always apt to be endangered by sheep or any stock. The lower limbs of old trees "may be browed some, but generally to no iarge extent.

The largest vine in New South Wales is growing in the vineyard of Mr. ,T. Martin, of Corowa, Riverina. It was planted 98 years ago, belongs to the sweetwater variety, bears big crops, and the trunk at the surface of the ground is 21in in circumference, tile measurement around it 3ft from the ground being Iflin.

Evaporation is almost always greater in clay soils than in sandy soils. The texture of the former being closer, the rains take longer to penetrate, and are thus more exposed to evaporation; moreover, in consequence of its higher capillary power in dry weather the moisture is drawn upwards to the surface and evaporates.