FARM & GARDEN NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 321, 30 July 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

FARM & GARDEN NOTES.

DuttiNO the past week tho weather has continued showery ; somo heavy rain with keen westerly winds have been experienced at times. For the season however, the weather is undoubtful!/ mild and open, and, as a consequence, vegetation is grow" ing steadily, and stock generally are keeping in good condition. Tho near approach of spring, is very noticeable in tne swelling buds of fruit trees, particularly among the early plums ; tho willows also are gradually becoming clothed with g\ oen again. Those signs of returning life in the orchard are a warning that all pluming work should be completed forthwith, otherwise a good deal of harm may be douo if trees aro cut about when the sap is flowing. With the close of the present month, lambing will became general in Waikato —in fact, a few lambs can now be seen about. If not already done, no time should be lost in crutchiug the breeding ewes, carefully removing all tho wool from around the udder. Many a fine lamb has been lost through neglecting this necessary work, and, moreover, once the ewej have lambs at side, yarding them for dagfiing, etc., during the first few weeks is both troublesome and dangerous to the lambs. Matters should be arranged so that once the lambing commences, the ewe flock may remain undisturbed in their pastures for at least several weeks. The stock and produce markets continue active, with prices showing no material alteration, seed potatoes and chaff being the strongest lines. Batter is likely to drop in the Auckland markets shortly, the season being much earlier in the North than with us. In Waikato the opening of creameries steadies the spring market for butter, nearly the whole of the available milk supply being d spesed of through that medium, Fat cattle and sheep continue to sell at remunerative prices, and are expected to do so for some weeks. In this connection the outlook for wool in the Home markets is very encouraging, and is likely to give an increased value to sheep up to and during the coming shearing season. A Splendid Crop.—Mr W. McCormick has "struck it rich" in potatoes this year and no mistake (remarks the Ellemaere Guardian). From an acre and a half of land, he has taken "252 sacks of potatoep, and just a sack under 23 tons. He has sold 1G tons in several lots at different prices, the total of which has aggregated £B2 10s. He still has about seven tons left, which, at present market value, should yield another £4O free of charges, which makes a total of £ll2 10s or, at the rate£Bll3s -Id per acre: This is some thing liko a record, and should prove a source of gratification to the Government valuer! t X t A Freak of Nature.— A peculiar freak of nature has come under our notice, says the Wyndham Herald. A hen of uncertain breed, but with a good dash of the brown leghorn, changed color after its first moulting, a considerable number of pure white feathers then for the first time appearing in the bird's plumage. Its owner, on first catching sight of the bird, had the momentary impressions that someone had thrown soapy lather over it. The bird is now fairly flecktd with wdiite. Poultry breeders will be able to say whether this is an exceptional occurrence. —[ln connection with the above, we may mention that a member of our staff had a purebred Spanish hen, whicli at its second moulting turned a pure white.—Ed W.A.] t I t • Cam: for Turnip Fly.—Mr. F. C. Fulton writes to tho Hawke's Bay Herald :—" The following information may be of use to the Hawko's Bay farmers. I have tried it for some years on my property in Otago with marked success." —A certaiu deterrent: By putting half a gill of turpentine in 20lb of Swegd seed (or any other seed), and soaking itovernight before sowing, no one need bo afraid of tho turnip fly. It may, and will settle on it and perforate an occasional leaf, but does not injura the plant. Paraffin or other strong mnelling oils will not answer, as the scent flies of. If you squeeze the leaves of the plant tho seed of which has been dressed with turpentine you will find tho smell strong until the plants get into rough leaf, when tho fly wi(l not touch it, and as a rule birds will seldom touch the seed or young plants. t X t The Gorse Nuisance : Another DECISION,—In dismissing a case at Wanganui in which a man was charged with neglecting to clear gorse from the road in front of his property, Mr C. C. Kettle, S. M., said:—" If tho Legislature intend to cast upon saltier? tho burden of clearing from roads all gorse, etc., which was growing there before tho Act was passed, and which did not spread there from their lands, the Act should have been made very clear and definite on the point. The true meaning of the act was, at least in his opinion, doubtful, and according to tho ordinary rules, as laid down by the cases, the person upon whom it was sought to impose a new obligation should have the benefit of the doubt. In a recent case in England it had been decided that when a statute, imposing a toll or rate upon the public, doesso in ambiguous terms tho Court must decide in favour of the construction which will be least onerous or burdensome to the public." t X f Pies—The agricultural correspondent of a Southern contemporary says : Prime grain fed pigs continue scarce, and bring fully -Ud per lb for prime quality. Australia seems to be increasing her supply of pigs, and Mr Vecht, who, it will be remembered, tried to establish several factories in New Zealand, eventually handing over his patent for tho wellknown " Morepork " bacon to the Christchurch Meat Company, has established lactone! in Victoria aud New South Wales, and is now opening up in Queens land, as in neither of the colonies he has yet worked is there a sufficient supply to keep him going, and he has not yet been able to export to Britian. I am still of opinion that New Zealaud is the place for the oxtention of this industry, climate and every surrounding giving us a great advantage, and yet farmers here don't seem to see it, nor to give the matter sufficient attention. 1 venture to say that those who have thought if, out aud acted on proper lines can speak of pig rearing as profitable. There is room first of all for an immense increase in the breeding of pigs. Dairy factories all over New Zealand this year had not even a half supplyjof store pigs even with the very high prices offered. Next year the demand will bo increased. Skim milk and whey are now mainly used for pig feed, and not, for calves, as in the past, aud they will be entirely used for pig feeding in the future. t t t Artificial Manure for Ekcits.—All fruit trees and bushes needing support will be benefited by the application of artificial manures. A healthy and fruitful tree yielding gool crops of fruit should receive each season a complete dressing of phosphates, potash, and nitrogen, while otic that is inclined to excessive growth and the production of wood rather than fruit should receive phosphates an 1 potash only, the nitrogen being withhdd until it is really needed. Raspberries and black currants depend on the free production of young growth for fruitfuluess. and should receive a manure somewhat rich iu nitrogen to

promote free growth. Phosphates: In stiff soils, peat, or rich garden soils, apply in the autumn or early winter 4 ;■/. of basic sLil' per square yard, followed by 2oz of superphosphate in February o; March. In light sandy soils substitute a cheap phosphatic guano or steamed bona flour for the basic slag making the appliea'i'n at any time befcwee i ami February. In chalky soils apply loz of superphosphate in early spring, and if the trees ate cropping freely a second application of 2oz per equate yard should be made in June, or early July Potash : In all soils which are not destitute of lime apply kainit loz per square yard iu the autumn. It can often be mixed with basic slag and applied at the same time. Nitrogen : Voting trees growing in rich soil, rarely lack nitrogen, and cue must be employed in applying nitrogenous manures lest coarse rank growth result. If the soil be not destitute of lime either nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia may be used with the same result. The quantity applied may vary from Jjoz to loz per .-quare yard, acco.ding to the requirements of the case. Sulphate of ammonia can be applied iu early spring in conjunction with superphosphate, guano, or steamed bone flour. Nitrate is best applied when the blossoms are just expanding, and if tho trees are cropping heavily again at midsummer. Application : Do not exceed the quantities specified. Make the applications at the seasons stated, and aim at distributing the manure equally over the entire area of ground occupied by the roots of the trees. It should be understood that in the case of strong, deep-rooting trees which produce correspondingly strong fruitless growth no manures whatsoever aan impart to them a productive habit. To mitigate the evil of grossnesswe must literally cut at the root of it.—" Experimentalist," in the Journal of Horticulture. t X t Treatment of Milk,—Scientists tell us that the milk coming from a healthy cow, fed pure food, is virtually free from germs and putc, but practice teaches us that it is impossible to secure the milk in.that condition. Even if the milk conies from a perfectly clean stable, where the cows and everything else arc kept clean, the immediate reration and cooling of the milk is of incalculable value, providing always that it is done in a room where the air is pure. Though no scientific explanation can be given us as to the reason why aeration improves the milk, yec it seems to be possible that it may caused by the face that many of the bacteria causing taint arc umeiobic and develop best where the air is excluded and that. even if the lactic acid bacteria should develop a little, these are, if limited, really of benefit, giving flavour as shown in ' cream ripening. That reration eliminates many odours caused by gases, is acknowledged by all. That cooling the milk at once after milking is an enormous help in preserving it, is easily understood, when we know that the development of all spores aud bacteria is retarded exactly in proportion to the reduction of tho temperature, This is best understood by the bacteiiological experiments, whioh showed that milk containing originally 975 bacteria, kept at 59 degrees, multiplied in three hours 10(i times ; in six hours, 25 times ; and in nmo hours, fivo times ; whereas, at 77 degrees, it multiplied in three hours two times ; in six hours, ISS times ; and in nine hours, 1075 times; and at 95 degrees, they multiplied in three hours, four times ; in six: hours, 1.290 ; and in nine hours, 3,794 times. On the other hand, if kept at 45 degrees, having been cooled to that temperature at once after milking, there is hardly any increase at all. It is thus evident that, combining reration with cooling as soon as possible after milking, wo gain a double •ttect. and that is best obtained by letting the milk flow over a surface of tin, or tinned copper, which is cooled by cold water or ice. It is also evident that tho easier such an apparatus is kept clean, the better it is. If for unavoidable reasons (?) the milk cannot bo treated at once, I feel inclined to advise reheating it to 98 or 110 degrees before j;erating and cooling. In view of some practical experiments made by me, 1 cannot urge the ajrating and cooling of all milk too strongly, not only for direct consumption, but for creameries and cheese factories. Ido not fear being accused of exaggeration, if I claim that if all milk brought to our factories wero thus treated it would improve tiie duality of butter with at least one fourth cent and our cheese with one-half cent per pound, aud this would virtually be an increased annual value of these profits aggregating over one million dollars. t X t The Dairy Industry Bill.—The Government are bringing down a new Dairy Industry Act repealing that of 1894. Tho new act gives the Governor power to appoint inspectors, analysts, experts, and other officers, and to prescribe their functions. All inspectors and others officers appointed under the 189-t act aro deemed to bo appointed under this act. Every inspector and analyst under this act will havo all tho powers and functions of those under the "Adulteration Prevention Act, 1880." Powers of entry aro given them to all places in carrying out their duties. They may condemn and destroy produce unfit for human consumption, order diseased stock to be dealt with, or the removal and isolation of persons affected with contagious or infectious diseases. Owners of diseased stock must prevent the milk or cream being mixed with other produce or used for food. Tho owner of a dairy or factory must, when requested, furnish a list of parties supplying milk, and of parties being supplied with produce. Pigs aro not to be kept within 50 yards of a dairy, nor is drainage from piggeries to ilow within 50 yards, and then only in a properly-enclosed drain. No person shall sell or expose for sale produce affected or infected with disease. Adulteration of dairy produce is provided against, No one must manufacture dairy produce from other than milk or cream, or knowingly sell such produce, sugar, common salt, harmless eoagulalive preservative, or colouring ingredients being excepted. No person is to sell or supply to a dairy any tainted or sour milk or cream, or any diseased or impure milk Supplies of milk must be cooled by passing over a cooler or rorator im - mediately after being drawn from the cow. Powers are taken to prevent the shipment of unsound dairy produce, or of any produce without inspection, grading, and marking have been complied with, also unless tho vessel carrying it is properly equipped so as to take it safely and in good condition. Tho second part of the act deals with the advances to dairy companies : (1) For the acquisition of land for the company's dairy factory : (2) (he erection, acquisition, or extension of suitable buildings for such factory, '3) tho supply and erection or suitable plant and machinery for such factory, it further provides for the security and mode of repayment of loans and interest. The bill (remarks a contributor to tho Otago Wifn-oss) may appear to some arbitrary, aud it necessarily gives inspectors great power. 1 think, however, it is most advisable that thoii'.'h it may not be advisable to uso it always, aid certainly not in a high-handed manner. The powers given inspectors re milk will be very useful, as it is to the supply of good milk that we must mainly look. Without this all modern apparatus or skill in manufacture are comparatively worthless. All dairymen should tako an interest iu the passing of this bill, and should give members of Parliament any help in their power by expressing their opinions on it. I hope to see the bill passed, and, i:: my opinion, the Secretary for Agriculture nuiy be safely trusted to look after its administration in the best interests of oil concern ed,

Public Abattoirs.—" Drover," in the Otago Witness writes : Tho change brought about by the erection of the abbattoirs, and the consequent stringent inspection, is row more evident than ever. The demand for prime meat is on tho increase, and it is for the best quality tint the main competition takes place. Inferior bee!' is almost neglected, and oven milium quality brings a comparatively poor price. The main desire of butcher!: now is to secure the best, and not the cheapest, ns has to h great extent been the case in the past. Fanners and graziers will, 1 hope, now benefit \>y tho change. This thoy can do by improved bleeding and feeding. The happy-go-lucky style of past years is now at an end and breeding will toll and pay as it has not perhaps done in past years. Public taste, is now being educated, and ail go in for prime meat, finding it the best and cheapest, as they are bound to do. t i iA Cheap .-Eratok. —Iu a description of a Canadian creamery the Farmers' Advocate nays : —"A sample of a cheap and effective aerator may be seen at the creamer)' or skimming stations. Mr Stonehousc writes us : ' I enclose a rough sketch of our ou'ator, which shows it to be simply an inverted milk pan with a handle 3ft long soldered on to the bottom. The bottom is perforated with about 50 small boles, about the size of an ordinary sewing needle, which allow the air to escape when tho pan is shoved down into the milk, and as the air bubbles up through tho milk it brings the animal odours off with it. When it ceases to bubble the pan is pulled up and a fresh lot of air is forced down, which is an easy and effective way of cooling and cerating at, the same time. Any tinsmith can make them at a cost of 30 to 35 cents. The holes must bo small or the air will escape too quickly. The long handle is for the purpose of shoving the aerator down and holding it there. but it does not need to be held down ionj;, as the air escapes in a few moments." GARDEN AND ORCHARD. AVOIIK FOR AUGUST. The ORCHARD.— Any pruning or planting should be completed without dolay. Grafting should be dono this month. Where clay is used, it should be well tempered with water ; work it well till it becomes peifectly free from lumps ; then add some horse droppings to mako it hold better ; mix well together to the consistency of stiff mortar. Grafting wax makos the cleanest work. Stir surface betweon Strawberries ; keep them free from weeds. Vines in the houses should now be tied up. The Kitciiex Gakdkn.— This will be a busy month in the kitchen garden sowing, planting, hoeing, weeding, &e, Sow early peas, broad beans, beet, early hoiu carrots, parsnips, leek, onion for main crop, round or summer spinach, radish, lettuce, mustard, cress aud parsley. Make cucumber beds (directions last month); and sow cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicombs, egg plant, and celery in boxes. Plant out cabbages sown iu autumn. Dress Artichokes, and take off suckers for fresh beds. Planting new asparagus beds should bo completed. Established beds should be surface stirred ; salt sprinkled over them is beneficial. Plant early potatoes.