FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1916, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

KAUPOKONUI COW-TESTING ASSOCIATION. The following are particulars for the period ending April 18, 1910:TEN BEST HERDS

The average association cow gave 080 lb? milk. 4.8 teat, 26.821bs fat. Two thousand three hundred and Ave co\ys, representing 80 herds, . were tested,

iWILD WHITE CLOVER. In the course of a recent pamphlet, Professor Douglas -Gilchrist remarks on the value of wild white clover. He says:—"lt is impossible to over-estim-ate the vaiue of this plant to the northcountry farmer. Striking results have been obtained, not only in the four northern counties of England, but all over Britain. Two pounds an acre, or even less, of the seed of this plant will, if suitably treated with basic slag, and if necessary a potash manure, ensure the growth of clover in the hsip and afterwards in the pasture, and will collect large quantities of nitrogen by means of clover roots from the air. Unlike ordinary clovers, this wild clover will grow luxuriantly and permanently on clover-, sick land, where the cultivated clovers have lost their hardiness and soon disappear, even under the best conditions. Wild white clover will continue its growth so long as it is suitably manured and is not choked out by an overgrowth of pasture grasses. This plant has made it possible at <rne« to obtain good grassing from a seed mixture, while the hay crops and aftermaths from second and later years' ley are of a most valuable character. It has so satisfactorily filled up the gap between the ,:owing down and the making of a pasture, which formerly extended from a few to many years, that the gap has. entirely disappeared. Not only is it most valuable in forming a pasture r.nd in . growing seeds, hay for many years in succession, but it has been fully demonstrated all jover the. country that the corn crops ! which follows leys in which the plant has been successfully grown will often produce about 2fl per cent, more grain, and this of better quality. I have done everything possible to make.the importance o : f the saving of the sefcl of this plant known in the southe:n and southeastern counties, where the climatic conditions make it possible ( save this seed, and hope that the suppl;- will soon be equal to the demand."

NOTES. Tt lilts Tieeji calculated that t*ic stoppage of foildor imports into Germany will involve a decrease in the supply of meat by one-half. The mailed fist of the British Navy ii hitting the German Empire! A very fine bullock, sold in Perth (Scotland) recently at £4l I.ls, weighed 12cwt 3qr. Tts dead weight was Slewt, so that it killed Go.fi per cent, and cost the buyer BBs per ewt. His verdict was "very choice beef, with little waste."

Abraham Lincoln had a good notion of intensive cultivation. "More brain, less sweat," was his view of the matter. "How foolish," be remarked, "to walkover forty acres when an equal crop can be raised from ten acres by intensive cultivation."

As an instance of what irrigation can do the example of Mildura may be cited. On an area of 12,000 acres, an inland community of fiOOO souls, enjoying a high standard of comfort is maintained. The annual value of - 'Mildura's products is no less than £450,000,

When taking cows to or from pasture, or, for the matter of that, anywhere, never hurry them, but allow tiiem to walk at their own natural pace, and do not, shout and holloa and kick up a row generally, as though you had a crowd of wild and savage beasts to deal with.

How the war affects America as regards potash salts—shipments to America, August, 1014, 50,000 tons; shipments, August, Ml!), 500 tons. A big nitrate of soda concern during the past twelve months made a gross profit of only £SOOO against about £BO,OOO for the previous year

Mineral matter, or, as we term it, asti, goes to build up the framework, the bone of the animal, and to furnish the small amount of mineral matter (lime, phosphoric acid, etc.) which is found in the various tissues of the body. There is always a sufficiency of ash in the home-grown fodders to' supply the needs of the animals.

Do not attempt to feed young pigs on roots, especially raw roots, though a certain quantity might be used to supplement other feeding. Roots contain far too mueli water, in the first place, and in the second place they contain far too little digestible albuminoids to nourish young animals and enable them to grow. If roots are to be used in any quantity they should be supplemented by some dry food containing a high percentage.

Carbohydrates is a chemical term to include starch and materials closely allied to starch chemically- Starch docs not form muscle, or blood, or the curd of milk, or wool, but it furnishes by its combustion within the body the ' heat which is necessary for the existence of the animal. It is also a producer of energy or the capacity of work within the animal. But it is well to reifiember starch has not the same value as fat, weight for weight, as a heat and energy producer. Approximately, lib of fat is equal to 2Jlb of starch for these purposes. ' ■. „ :

Ao. Cows. Lbs milk. Test. I/hs fat. 15 «£'• • >«• ■ 707 5.3 37.84 40 t 742 4.6 34.78 e 875 3.!) 34.18 24 785 4.3 33.75 28 (Ifi2 4.9 33.04 44 738 4.0 3-2.95 37 ........ 615 5.0 32.62 21 669 4.8 32.40 33 693 4.6 31.89 91 v... 639 4.9 31,78 TEX WORST HERDS. 3!) ;r. >..... i 367 4.6 17.20 31 psv382 4.5 17.29 67 «•••... ..j 462 4.4 20.46 80 431 4.7 20.61 35 *yr*<. •»•: 483 4.2 20.74 10 .v»>.... 463 4.5 . 21.01 47 489 4.3 21.14 50 >.... «i 467 4.5 21.27 40 v.r..v.. 522 4.0 21.28 35 455 4.8 21.98