FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1916, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY

NOTKS. Argentine is making rapid progress in wool manufacturing. due factory is turning out military clotli for Jiurope at tlm rate of (wllOyds a day. A dual-purpose animal is one which will };ive a largo yield uf milk during its lifetime—say !HUO gallons in the case of Shorthorns, per annum—and then fatten easily when her milking days are over. A bull in a Belgian village, enraged by the noiso of firing, charged n (ierman troop, and bowled over eighteen soldiers before it was killed. An outrage for which no doubt the poor inhabitants of the village had to suffer. Tn ("front Britain the prices of horses suitable for war service has advanced £4 since the outbreak of hostilities, and that of young horses not yet trained by ;.C3 Ss. The effect of the war has also been seen in an advance in the prices of foodstuffs.

Prior to the war, the annual export of fertilisers from Germany and Austria amounted in value to nearly .€4,000,000 A large proportion of this trade could be captured by British and Australian manufacturers provided they are energetic, and advertise their power and willingness to supply the goods. Tn the spring, rolling is one of the ordinary operations 011 the farm. It is carried out with a three-fold object. First, the levelling of the surface; second, the breaking up of clods to improve the tilth; and, thirdly, to consolidate the surface, and thus assist in tho control of moisture after seeding.

A monster potato, the largest, ever grown in the district, has been unearthed in a garden belonging to Mr. Thomas Marshall, Kirkhill, Cambuslang- (Eng.). The tuber measured 13! in in length, and fully 124 in in circumference at its thickest "part. Tt was in splendid condition, and weighed 31b 1-oz. Lime "soils of all descriptions are particularly adapted for the growth of leguminous' crops, such as clove), peas sainfoin, etc. Sainfoin is particularly suitable for thin soils in resting on limestone rocks, since it has the power of sending its roots fo great distance, and extracting and bringing to the surface the fertilising material. The Canadian railway rates on pedigreed horses, cattle, ships, and pigs imported for breeding purposes only\ are one-half the standard mileage - tariff rates. A certificate, v however, has to he produced, issued by ail association recognised by the Dominion Department of Agriculture, such as the Clydesdale Horse Association, or the Dominion Sheep and Swine Breeders' Association.

Tf farmers would get into the habit of calculating the quantity of plant food as ammonia, phosphate of life, and potash in a ton of every fertiliser they may think of buying, they might often be surprised to mite that some mnnures offored at low prices are really very dear, and that other fertilisers which cost a good deal more money are actually cheaper and more economical to use.

It is reported that the Russian Ministry of Agriculture will shortly introduce a Bill in" the Bums prohibiting throughout Vlussia the killing of live stock on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and fixing the number of cattle that may be slaughtered 011 other days. The Bill will provide a prohibition of the sale of all kinds of meat in markets, restaurants, and hotels 011 Wednesdays and Fridays, and for the closing of butchers' shop on those davs. The cows or.e should keep in the herd are those of a strong constitution, good thrivers, and deep milkers. The giving of large quantities of milk produces a great strain on an animal, and only those with strong constitutions can withstand it. It matters little or nothing to the ordinary farmer as to the other points in his animals so long as they fulfil thoso given above. The "best way and the cheapest for a farmer to improve his dairy stock is by breeding his own cattle, selecting these from the most profitable members of his herd. To ascertain the animals from which to breed he should certainly keep milk records. If be can get these checked by a "Milk Testing Association, so mucn the better, as he then gets an official record of the yields of his different animals, which'should be of considerable commercial value when he has good animals to dispose of. If any of the cows, in the case of Shorthorns, give less than 000 gallons per annum, he should get rid of them.

Wo constantly hear tho saying that "the bull is half the herd." This maxim is vow near the truth, and, realising this, how can we expect good, deepmilking progeny from our best animals if we mate them with a bull of a typical beef-producing strain,, whose female ancestors were of poor milkers? The hull lias an influence 011 every calf in the herd of which he is the father, and if he is of an undesirable strain, how can we expect lus progeny to be otherwise? He should be one who has come from ancestors who were noted for their good milking properties and excellent constitutions. Such a#ull will, more likely than not, have a greater power in improving the herd than one who has not so descended.

The Japanese Department of Agriculture and Commerce is to spend 30,000 yen (about .£3(100) annually on the rearing of sheep, beginning with the financial year 11110-17. About 200 head of sheep will be purchased from England and kept on the pastures of Tsukisanv.islni, Hokkaido. Should these renewed experiments in sheep-raising in Japan prove remuncrative, the authorities will take steps for the encouragement of this branch of agriculture among farmers. The Japanese authorities are apparently convinced that sheep-raising in .Japan will turn out successful, but it .should be remembered that much depends 011 the demands for mutton, which is not an accepted article of food in Japan. The "Tananui Courier," referring to the death of Mr. J. 1?. Mackenzie, says it must have been received with general regret by the residents in that district. Farmers—and breeders of draught horses and Boinney sheep especially—are indebted to the late Mr. .Mackenzie for improving the class of stock raised in the district, and the work commenced by him has proved a source of wealth to landowners. Mr. Mackenzie was not only a progressive

and enterprising agriculturist, but ha spread his patronage in all directions. As an athlete lie was an enthusiast, and a consistent supporter of football and cricket. In fact, in his day and generation, I question (says a writer in the Southland News), if the district has over had such an all-round sport and citizen us the late Mr. Mackenzie. At all times his hands were full, and he was not afraid to venture. His speculations ill the way of importations ranged from a high-class Clyde-dale stallion to a purebred Irish terrier, and the district lost a go-ahead man when his health induced him to seek a more congenial climate, although his heart's desire was to wantier back to ihe old spot, and farm a piece of good land. J.Pi. (as he was familiarly called) had a comparatively short but busy life, and crowded more into it than the average run of men.