FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 220, 11 January 1911, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY

CONTAGIOUS ABORTION-A FRENCH REMEDY. One of the most serious troubles dairymen and stockowners have to contend with is contagious abortion among their breeding animals. A treatment for the prevention of contagious abortion in cattle, which is said to have been attended: with highly satisfactory results, has been practised in France for a number of years, and has at last attracted the attention of veterinary surgeons throughout that country. This treatment was first made public in the journal of the- Veterinary School of Lyons, as far back as 189/, by Mr. Ch. Geiiin, agricultural engineer, and president of the Agricultural Society of Gourgoin. Mr, Gcuin gives the following description of his method of conquering the disease:—"lt consists of subcutaneous inactions of 2 per cent, of carbolic acid (20 grammes of acid in 1000 grammes of Ixiiling water)' every 15 days, to all the in-calf cows from the. fifth to the seventh month of gestation. The injection is made in the animal's neck, just below the dewlap; the quantity injected is 20 cubic centimetres. The process is simple, without danger, as it is without pain to the animal; it has this advantage, that it may be employed by any handy person, and it costs very little. The result of this treatment has been that in my herd abortion has completely disappeared since it was fust applied hi June, 18flo." During the previous four years the disease was so serious that 75 per cent, of the breeding cows in his herd aborted. His cow byres were built on the most approved plan. They were kept scrupulously clean, the wails were frequently whitewashed with lime and sulphate of copper, and the cows were washed almost daily with antiseptics. Notwithstanding these precautions the disease still remained. There are many corners in a byre in which the germs of the disease may remain, no matter how carefully the premises are disinfected, and there are many agents for the dissemination of those germs, of which ilies are certainly the most active. Mr. Giuin concludes with the following remarks:—"From the time 1 used the first injection to the present day there has not been a single instance of contagious abortion in my herd.

. ... On my recommendation, many cattle breeders have adopted the process, and in all cases with the same success."

USEFUL INFORMATION. The old saying that "the bull is half the herd" is not always true.

The value of pedigree depends largely upon immediate ancestry. Systematic horse-breeding should be one of the aims of the farmer.

It is sound advice; Keep twice as many mares as geldings on your farm. If a farmer's soil is poor after years of cultivation, it is the owner's fault. Grow peas, mangels and beet for your pigs. They make profitable fodder. Small lucerne paddocks are invaluable for keeping breeding sows on between litters.

It is computed that the dew falling in England is equal to oin of rain each year.

If a. filly is well grown at two years, ivnd is not needed for farm work, it is well to let her rear a foal.

If you want a good foal, you must feed your mare well; if you want a good horse you must feed your foal well. Where summer crops cannot be grown ensilage is a necessity if the best results are to be obtained from the herd.

There is no single grain that equals oats for horses, but maize and beans can be made to equal oats in albuminoid

ration. Quantity and quality of milk are features of the best dairy cattle. Developed by selection, they can only be perpetuated by careful breeding.

A new milking-machine has been introduced into Denmark, which is claimed to have practically the same effect on the teats as hand-milking. Basic slag can be mixed without inconvenience with nitrate of soda, nitrolim, nitrate of lime, potash salts, bone meal, and with superphosphate, if used soon after the mixture.

Basic slag should not be mixed with sulphate of ammonia, guano, blood, or farmyard manure, as the free lime in the slag might cause the loss of a portion of the ammonia.

Wheat as a food for poultry has obtained extraordinary recognition during recent years. The habitual use of so-called condition powders for horses is to be strongly deprecated The dairy qualities of a cow and heifers should be considered before mating them.

Trees should be planted in rows on every farm as shelter lor stock and as brcakwinds.

A well-stocked piggery in connection with the dairy means more work but much greater profits.

Excellence of remote ancestors should not be allowed to cover up existing deficiencies in the stud bull.

The wages of industry arc sometimes "insolvency" unless work is carried out on systematic, lines.

The dairy-farmer who breeds pigs will find his cows will pay all farm expenses and the pigs the profit. A small patch of rape grown on rich soil will furnish an enormous amount of food for calves. It may be fed by cutting and feeding in the paddocks or lots, or it may be grazed by the calves. The State takes care that the Danish farmers and dairymen receive accurate information about the markets of other countries, and the requirements of Great Britain are especially kept in view. Forcing—requiring a horse to do just a little more and a little bit faster—wears out a draught horse quicker and out of all proportion to what average hard work will. The thoughtful teamster never hurries his team.

De-horning when cows are in ealf may cause a run of sympathetic abortion in the herd; it is just as well to consider whether to take the horns off a cow or sell her to the butcher, who will also take the hide off her.

•Until the late Dr. Koch pronounced otherwise, it was accepted by leading scientists that the chief cause of consumption in the human being was infection from milk or meat. Cows are like humans—it is not otten yon will get a lot of them together without finding »ne which wants to boss the show; it is for the Cowman to say how much of this he will permit.