FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 175, 21 June 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS.

A Citviv II us row. — The harrowing of wheat in the B])i in/;, the spreading of manure, the harrowing in of gr.iss bclil, and the neat finishing to the surface of sowed g'O'inr 1 , and equally the hi*) rowing of young com and potatoes, need a peculiar f<>uu of U.inow On a late vis;t to the farm of Mr William (Jro/icr, near Northport (says the c Utor of the American Agriculturist), we saw and tested a harrow of peculiar shape, w hich for many icasons we prefer to any toothed harrow whatever One gicat advantage it possesses 13 that it has no teeth; repairing and replacing teeth, then, is saved in using this harrow, and it will last a lifetime without perceptible wear It also has the advantage of conforming itself to every sort of surface, and of hirrowing equally hollows and hills. It is also very light, and one hoise can draw it. The surface is left in capital condition, and no lumps or stones are torn up or «odB left on the surface. Ib cannot possibly clog either with weeds, rubbish, or manure, but passes over them and leaves them spread evenly upon the suiface. Finally, it ia cheap, and can be made by auy blacksmith, ■without any claim for royalty by a patentee or the permission of any other man. tt consists of square links of half-inch square iron rod in diameter. Short chains connect it with a drawbar to where the clevis of the whifllc-tree is attached. Two iron, rods with a forked claw at each end are used to keep the links spread in width, and bobs of Cist-ironor any other similar weights or drags are attached to the rear by short chains to keep it spread in length when in u&e In the harrow we tested, the links wore welded, but \\ c do not think this to be necessary. The harrow would be much cheaper and equally effective if the links were simply bent into slnpe and the ends drawn together after being linkcl. But the joints in the liuks should not be at any of the angles, but on one of the sides, half way between the two ang|ps.

The causes of many common diseases in horses are not well understood even by persons having much to do with them. Among theso is rheumatism, which is of very frequent occurrence. It manifests itself at first by slight stiffness of the shoulders, which passes off w lien the horse is put to work and is well warmed up, to reappear \\ hen ho becomes cool from standing, or after a night's rest. When rho disetsc is fairly established tho animal will point the toe of his forward foot in standing ; first one foot w ill br> thrust forward: and then tha other as ho attempts to find rest from his painful malady. The stride of the fore leg is shortened, tho gait cramped and measured, tho whole ending in chronic founder — in contradistinction to acute founder, which has a specific and unmistakable mccptic cause. Chronic rheumatism originates in the s.tomach, from overfeeding, or feeding with a kind of grain not adapted to the peculiarities of tho animal. Aa with human beings, the digestive powers of all animals arc not equally strong. One horse may eat maize served up m almost any style, and experience no bad effects from, it, while his mate, fed in the same manner, will give acid secretions, generating gas, giving him the colic, and finally the rheumatism. Perhaps no other grain is more likely to produce this diiUculfcy thau maize, fed especially in warm weather to fast working teams, though over- feeding with barley will have the same effect. ElForts should be directed to the prevention rather than the cure of the disease. Occasionally changing the food, and, if the horso is restless in the stable and has colicky pa. 113 much benefit will follow the uso of alkalies with the lood ; or strew in tho bottom of the manger strong, fresh wood ashes and salt, or bi-carbonate of soda ; or mixing with the iood lime-water, which may always be kept re.idj-ma,lc and can be used freely without danger, will bo found cscollent palliatives and with very careful feeding, may euro mild cases. Here ia an iteni worthy of more than a casual reading : Professor Lawes, of England, has a plot of experimental meadow to which 14 tons of stable manurehasbeen applied each year Biuco 1843. Plants giown on this surface have absorbed all the rain water, so that little ov none has been discharged by under drains. Similar drains under a part of the meadow not manured " have run freely several times during the year." An acre of long manured land holds within 36 inches of the surface 1,910 tuns of water ; while the same aiea and depth of similar grnund unraanured holds only 191 tuns Kentucky blue grass, which, so far as we aye aware, has not been introduced into Australia, is known te possess excellent qualities, and is, regarded with great favour in •everal of the States An American farmer says : — I havo a pasture of iivo acres Kentucky blue grass, on which I keep four cowp, from May to October, with the help of a little green corn fodder in August. I also turn my fourteen head of horses on the same pasture every Saturday evening and let them stay till M,onday morning, during the same time — May to October. This field has not been ploughed Iqr ] 2 years, but lias boon top-dressed several time* with stable manuie and ground bone. Tho following are the details of a successful experience with lato Eoso Potatoes. Seven tubers, weighing, one pound, weue cut into pieces, having one eje each, and planted, one piece in a place, making 51 hills They were not manured or cared far more than ia customary, and the jield was enough to fill a " common barrel," only about two gallons of whic'i were small. In quality they proved excellent. The Mark Lane Express contains a notice of a remarkable prolific family of cows. The maternal ancestor — name, " Okl Noggy," gave birth to 28 calves in 15 years, viz , si\ smglo, eight double, and two treble. One of her daughters, " Venus," presented her owner w>th l'l calves in seven years, namely, three single, four double, and ono treble birth. " Vesta," the twin sister of " Venus," had a double birth to begin with, and thus it ought to settle the question, heretofore a matter of discussion, " are twin cows barren ?"