FARM & GARDEN NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 258, 12 March 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

FARM & GARDEN NOTES.

The Price ok Wheat.—This is a question now being generally discussed by the farmers of this province. Th e price now offering is about lkl per bushel better than that quoted a fortnight ago. Then it was 4s 3d, delivered in Auckland. Buyers at present in VVaikato are now offering 4s 4id ; but the farmers are not disposed ;to do business at this figure, believing a higher price will be obtainable later on. In Canterbury the market has now fairly opened, and from 3s 9d to 3s lid has been paid for fair-sized parcels at country stations, which is equal to from 4s to 4s 2d f.o.b. Landed in Auckland, Canterbury wheat would thus be worth about 4s Gd or 4s 7d a bushel. Mark Lane quotations range from 37s 6d to 42s per quarter. We recently saw a circular in which New Zealand longberried wheat was quoted at a price on a par with Hard Duluth, which invariably commands top price. Forty-two shillings a quarter is equal to 5s 3d per bushel, and the cost of placing New Zealand wheat on the London market, including all charges (freight, wharfage, stevedoring, insurance, etc.), is about 9d per bushel. If we accept the London quotations as the standard regulating the value of wheat in this colony, then the price now offered Waikato growers may be said to be a fair one, and one that will leave but a very small margin, if any, to a purchaser buying for export. Wheat may yet, of course, go up considerably in value : we are merely speaking of present quotations.

+ X + The Comjn Moth.— lt is a somewhat remarkable thine;, says the Dunstan Times, that the codlin moth is nob so plentiful th a reason. During the last few years it was almost impossible to get a sound apple, while this season we have seen many good eating apples without a vestige of the moth. Some people think that the thrushes, which aie beginning to multiply in the district, and which eat lots of worms and grub’, are the cause of this improvement. + + + Pasteurise I— A one-timo neighbouring dairy farmer of my own—now running a model little factory—writes very interestingly to me on the trouble he had had with “ off ” flavours. He had at last determined to follow my advice and pasteurise. Rightly, however he laments the necessity for it. As ho says : “It is my suppliers who ought to paeturise —pasteurise their hands, their cows, their sheds, their cans, their carte, their —oh, everything ! It just means that I have to correct their errors, to counteract their filthy methods and to suffer from their negligence.” I have to try and console my friend by impressing upon him the fact that nearly every proprietor or factory manager had the same tale to tell. I am afraid, however, that he will findlittle consolation in that.—“A Babcock” N.Z. Dairyman, ++ + • The Bacok Pio.—The bacon pig, though of comparatively recent growth, in many ways belongs to a distinct breed of pigs. He is as separate and distinct from the old-fashioned fat hog as one purebred pig is separate and distinct from another. He bears no relation whatever to the kind of pig our fathers bred, fed, killed, and took to maiket every year. He attains his growth in one-half the time, and is ready to pay for his board when he is six or eight months old. In order to fulfil his destiny the bacon pig must necessarily die young. In fact, he is a distinctly modern institution, adapted to meet the needs of these latter days when only the finest quality of food products is wanted. His weight is circumscribed by regulations as binding as the laws of the Medes and Persians. He must neither he too heavy nor too light. His dairy food must he so adjusted and of such a quality as wi'l tend to produce in him an equal quantity of muscle and fat. These two parts of his make-up must fo intermingle with each other as to produce a quality of food that will exactly suit the taste of the British consumer.

Shfep A 3 Beasts of Burden.— In a Canadian journal, Farm'ng, it is stated that an enterprising sheep - owner of Oregon has conceived the project of taking a flock of strong wethers to the Klon dyke goldfields, and making use of them as,transport animals for the latter part of the journey. His idea is to have pack-saddled made to fit the sheep, aud load them with 301 b of fre : ght Onehalf of the load will consist of oats for the sheep to eat ou the way, the remainder to be formed of such light merchandise as may be offered for transport. The sheep-farmer calculates that he will tet 9000dol freight money, aud that the flock of 2000 wethers will realise £2 per head on reaching Dawson City. Ihe idea of utilising sheep as transport anima's was suggested more than half a century ago in Australia. Mr F. Sutton, of Bathurst, I am told, (says *' Brunir" in the Australasian) suggested a plan of exploring the centre of Australia by the help of sheep, each of which was to carry a small load of necessaries for the use of the exp'orers. But the plan of using sheep as beasts of burden has been practised for many years in the mountain ranges of Central Asia. They often carry loads weighing 30lb each, and travel from seven to eight miles a day. + + +

Egg Latino of the Godlin Moth.— Prof. Singerland has been investigating the habits of the codlin moth. He finds that the egg is deposited on the side of the fruit, and not in the calyx. It is o little smaller than a pin -head, flattened and transparent, so that the colour of the apple shows through it. Under the microscope the surface is marked with lines, and looks like a fish scale. At first they wtre difficult to make out, but afterwards easy. After careful investigations he found hundreds of eggs in the orchard, scattered over the fruits. The young worm was hatched out in about ten days, and at first is little larger than a hair. It remains on the suface several hours, when it crawls about till it reaches the calyx, where it works its way between the lobes, and enters the cavity. The practice of spraying as soon as b'ossoms fall is effective, because the calyx lobes arc then open, and the Paris green is readily deposited within the eye ; and as the worm does not eat till it enters the eye, its first dose will canse its destruction. The closing of the calyx and lobes soon after spraying is an advantage, because it keeps the poison from being washed away by rains ; but if the spraying is delayed till after the calyx closet it will not be so effective. The second brood does not always enter the calyx, but eats in the side of the fruit, especially if protected by an overhanging leaf. —Canadian Horticulturist. 4* 4* x* .Royal Competitors at Agricultural Shows.— ls it fair that at cattle and other shows the best prizes should so often go to royal exhibitors? The question may not bo new (says a Home Magazine), but that fact may give it all the more point. It may be said that this is no business of ours, and concerns nobody but the judges and royal winners. Other exhibitors, however, who spend l.rgo sums in competing, and have not the same means and facilities as the Queen and Princess of Wales possess, have an interest in the subject. To give an illustration: At the Norfolk Show the Queen took first prize for shorthorn con s with an animal bred at Shaw farm, while the Prince of Wales took the second, and also the first for a pen of ewes, and the firstfor Southdown wether sheep, and likewise the champion prize for the best pen of sheep in the whole show. On many other occasions similar results have ensued. We would not suggest that the judges are influenced by sycophantic sentiment, it is possible, but, assuming that the Roval exhibitors in these cases are reallv

the best, other exhibitors are handicapped by the superior opportunities enjoyed by their royal competitors for producing prize beanie. As a rule they mav be said to be " out of it," and under these eir-cumt-tanc.-s, although, no doubt, royal, as well as other, breeders naturally want to get something bank for their outlay, the Queen and the Prince (not to mention othor members of the family) be content to take the first position but to forego the first prizes, which might then go to exhibitors who would otherwise secure the actual first pi ce.

-f A T A Novel Proposal —A novel pro posn 1 was made to tho Victorian Council of Agricultural Education recently, when a letter was received from Mrs Rickarby, of Simpson street, Eatt Melbourne, suggesting that Longerenong College should bo utilised for giving girls and young women instruction in agriculture. She pointed out that there were many fine girls wasting their lives in close, pent-up shops and factories, when their superabundant vitality might be used for their own benefit by following healthy outdoor employment. Tbe following industries she remarked, could be carried on entirely by women: Cultivation of cereals and root crops, butter and cbeeso making, rearing of poultry, bee-keeping, rearing silk-worms, cultivating scent plsnts, planting and grafting fruit trees, preserving fruit, pickling vegetables, baking bread, brewing beer, making cider, and "tanning the skins of smaller animals." To make tho Loagerenong farm pay, she added, the " Government stroke” would have to bo abolished, and ordinary common sense brought into play on something the same lines that an ordinary “ cockatoo” farmer would work his farm. The girls’ time would not ho wasted on cards or dice or billiards, but half of them would be in tho fields, and tho remainder cooking, cleaning, baking, brewing, knitting, and cleaning tho farm implements and dairy appliances It would not bo an Arcadian farm, " where tbe hours of idleness wore more than equal to the houis of work.” It was decided to thank Mrs Rickarby for her suggestion, and to irnfonn her that it was not possible at tbe present time to embark on such au undertaking as she proposed.

+ x The Function ok Humus.— Farmers are familiar with the word “ humus,’’ and have a hazy sort of idea that it is the name of the substance which gives the black colour to good land, and that it is owing to the prefence of humus in a greater or lees degree that one soil is better than another. This is correct as far as it goes, but it must also be remembered that humus is organic matter and is the result of a chemical combination of decaying animal and vegetable substances with the potash, phosphoric acid, and lime of the soil. Humus is necessary for “ fixing” or absorbing nitrogen in the soil, and thus preventing this valuable substance from being lost. It also aids the soil in absorbing watfr, and renders potash and phosporio acid soluble and thus available for being taken up into the sap of plants through their roots. As farmyard manure contains decomposing animal and vegetable substances, it is valuable for supplying these to the soil for the purpose of making humus ; hence it possesses an advantage over and above the market price of the nitrogen potash, and phosphoric acid it contains. The humus of virgin soil is much richer in nitrogen than the humus of soils which have been cropped for a long time, and it is said that clean culture—that is, the hoeing and weeding of crops—tends to exhaust the soil of humus. Green manuring is a good means of restoring humus to soil, as the decay of green crops Eloughed in promotes the formation of umus, and fertility is thus restored to some extent by means of the nitrogen the plants have gathered from the air during their growth and the phosphoric acid and potash their long roots have brought up from the subsoil. The nitrogen collected by peas and beans and contained in the small outgrowths or nodules attached to the roots of these plants is said to bo sufficient to take the place of a strong dose of manure for the succeeding crop.

Feeding Cows foe Butter Fat.— Feeding cows for butter test was given prominence as a practical topic at the recent Royal Horticultural (Show held at Manchester. Dr Herbert Watney won the first and third prizes in the class for cows giving the greatest amount of butter fat in two milkings, all the competing cows being Jerseys, and Dr Wutney’a rainager, Mr John Cox, by request, supplied a note of particulars. He says, 1 Herewith is an account of the food given to each of the three Buokhold cows at the * Royal Show at Manchester. These amounts are given only approximately, as the foods were mixed in different proportions to suit each cow’s taste. Crushed oats, 21b ; oatmeal (groats,) 3lb; bean meal, lib ; bran, 11b ; dried distillers’ grains, 21b ; mixing feed cake, 61b ; linseed cake, 21b ; crushed linseed, Hb. Each cow per day, The cows were allowed as much hay and grass as they would eat. This food was given during the 24 hours preceding to the test, as it is during that time attention to feeding is most required ; on the day of the test the cows were not so highly fed. In feeding cows for dairy tests there are three errors which are sometimes made ;—(1) Giving too much food and water immediately after a journey, when the animals are tired. (2) Feeding too liberally. (3) Giving too much food at one time. Any one of these mistakes may cause the cows to suffer from impaction, or from distention of the stomach. The yields of milk and butter were then diminished, and the health or life of the cow endangered. To avoid these mistakes, the cow should bo taken into the showyard as .early as possible ; the dry foods (except cake) must be scalded, and allowed sufficient time to swell, and only be given in small quantities, great care being taken that the cows are allowed ample time to chew their cud between each feed, A little Lay or chaff fed with the meal assists rumination. Water ought to bo given at frequent intervals, and rock salt placed within reach of the animals.’ + + + Calf Rearing —“ Any one who has had much experience in raising calves has undoubtedly seen a vast difference in them. Some are dainty and need coaxing in order to get them to drink. They never seem to be hungry. If these calves live they do not amount to much, and not infrequently they mope around with no appetite, until finally they give up the ghost entirely. The other and more desirable kind of calf is always hungry. No matter how often you go it is always looking for something to. eat, always trying to catch hold of your clothing or your finger. Unless one is exceptionally wise, this calf is apt to get an overfeeding of milk, on account of her vigorous appetite, and bowel troubles ensue. I’vc got just several of these calves at present, and it requires considerable firmness to prevent them getting more milk than is good for them. They seemed so hungry when very little that thecu-tomary amounted milk was increated for their benefit, hut it was mistaken kindness, for excessive looseness of the bowels set in, which was hard to check. We succeeded in bringing them out all right, however, on boiled milk and small quantities of raw eggs. I would like to know what is considered to be the best remedy for scours, caused, of course, by indigestion, usually due to over feeding. It is quite a nice matter to decide, just the amount of milk te feed to a young calf. We use tin buckets holding 8 quarts each for feeding and intend to feed about 2 quarts at a time ; when they have learned to drink alone, increase the amount gradually as they can biar it. Over feeding is more injudous than under feeding, and the most important thing is to avoid feeding too much milk at a time. Those accustomed to Shorthorns are most apt to err in feeding the little Jerseys. rT 1 . I I I J _ *

as the animal will pick at it, and ground oats and bran, in small quantities, can be fed to good advantago almost from the firsr."

Treatment ok Dairy Cows. —Though wm have proof before us that Denmark fe"d-< th< fame class of cattle that wo feed and yet i-> returned double the amount of milk, how many New Zealand dairymen are there willing to follow their example? How many are there ready to bid iarowell to their present haphazard methods and by systematic feeding and care approach their great rivals ? And how easy it all is—just giving a little of the same thouuht to the wants of your cow as you do to yourself—for is she not thelifeof your farm, the barometer by which is guaged the profit and loss of your husbandry, the axH around which tbo whole of your labour, thought and energy should revolve and, in short, the centre in which should be concentrated the highest conception of your calling ? She is all this—not the rough beast of nature to be driven into enclosures and roped to posts while the milk is taken from her, but the highest developed domestic animal which a lavish nature and man's intelligence combined has been enabled to produce, fit only to be treated with the greatest gentleness and care and considered as her nature and her importance to your success demands. Though true, yet liow very seldom is this considered. Treated as sho generally is as the most despised creature of the farmyet looked to as the greatest wealth-pro-ducii g one—the wonder is that she can give the returns she does. But if the colonial dairy farmer refusiS to treat his cows properly, in his own interest he will in the end be forced to. There is nothing on the farm—let it bo what kind of farm it may which will so generously repay inerased attention as tho cow, and when London prices hu>e gone down—as they must do —and we can't get our produce carried any cheaper, we will have to make a start to economise at tho right end. Then our dairymen may seo the force of weeding out the poor milkers and giving tho same feed to those which will return him perhaps twofold. But when he does come to handle these finer cattle ho will have to remember that their more delicate constitution —consequent on their highly developed nervous temperament—must recieve consideration in the shape of proper shelter and covering, and that kindness with them will have a commercial value.—New Dairyman. + + -I-

A Most Common Argument Against Dairying.— (By Professor Plumb, President of the Indiana State Dairy Association.) — The most common argument against dairying, which comes to my ears, is that it is an exacting occupation which requires the attention of the owner of the cow seven days in the week for 365 days in the year. There are some people in this world, in fact a good many, who on general principles object to any occupation which requires continuous attention to business as distasteful. It is perfectly proper that the people in either of these clalkes should look to some other lice of work for their support. It is, however, true that dairying is no more exacting to those engaged in it than are most other kinds of business. The energetic business or professional man in town usually has his W’ork on his mind to an extent unsurpassed by any one else. The doctor or lawyer who is successful is not given to passing much time in indolence. Complete success in this world is always measured by presisteut, unceasing, honest industry. There is no exception to the rule. It will not be inappropriate to give an expression upon the matter of recreation for the dairyman. While there are exceptions to all rules, the average dairyman, if he will, can so arrange his affairs as to secure an annual vacat’on. It does not indicate the best business management for one to say he cannot get away from his work. Either he lacks respon sihle, competent help, or else is undertaking more than his own strength will justify. He certainly should be able to command some fiee time, that will en able him to attend dairy conventions, to visit dairy f irms for new’ ideas, and to generally tone up his physical and mental system through the occasional rest which is essential to the well being of every man. If there are those who will say that the dairyman has to work too hard, I will point to fact that, where he applies his energies with intel igence, he is one of the most prosperous persons in the farming community. Dairy districts usually show a prosperity of a pronounced type. During these hard times every business man and farmer has suffered financially, but I have heard much less complaint from among those engaged in dairying than from the genetal farmer and stockman. THE GENERAL-PURPOSE COW. If dairying is t j prosper in New Zealand we must meet foreign competition by producing our butter and cheese at a smaller cost, and, as I have said before, tho chief factor in the cost of production is tho capacity of the cow herself. The way to increase this capacity is by keeping only those calves whoso dams have done good work at the bucket, irrespective of tboir sizo and fancy points, -but not, bo it marked, irrespective of tbeir soundness and vigorous constitutions. We must produce specialists now a-days if we wish for success in any line. Dairy farmers in New Zealand must make up their minds to bo either dairy farmers or graziers—not both. The days are past when it paid to milk a ocw giving 350 to 400 gallons of milk per annum, and taking three acres of good grass to do it on, even if she did throw a big steer calf that grew to beef in good time. What is required now-a-days is the cow that will yield 250 or 3001bs. butter-fat per annum, that has a sound constitution, that produces a heifer calf capable of excelling her dam’s record, and that does all this on the minimum of food. With such a cow as this, it will not matter much if the steer calves she may throw are not worth rearing. More profitable use will be found for tho skim-milk. And her owner will be able to afford to take a smaller price for her carcase at the end of her dairying career, by virlure of the extra yield of milk produced during that career. But while she may bo small of build —indeed I have almost said should be small— she must bo sound and healthy as well. No man with any experience of the smaller Ay r rshires, the Jerseys, the Kcrrys and other small l-rceds will veiltuio to say that a small cow cannot Do of sound constitution. Yet, this is the cry of tho general purpose writers, the admirers of the big dairy cow. Can it bo that they have no experience. Dairy farmers in this country, beware of the general-purpose cow ! Have two strings to your bow by allmeans, but don’t try to produce bat ter from a beef cow. If you care to grow beef from a butter cow, it will not trouble me, and I shall not object to Drover, Bruniand Co., writing theirpens down to every penholder in bewailing the unprofitable nature of the proceeding. Growing beef seems to be their concern. Growingbuttor isours. Audoneofthc very first items in the successful prosecution of this butter growing is the explosion of the idea that beef and butter can he produced economically by the one cow. The two functions arc so antagonistic, so utterly opposed to each other physiologically, that excellence in one can only be attained ut the expense of tho other. Derby winners are not produced from draught marcs, but from thoroughbreds. We want to be Derby winners in the butter world, and general-purpose cows