FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 314, 19 May 1874, Page 3

FACTS FOR FARMERS.

jSTo variety of sheep is more Tallied or hns become subject to higher breeding in central and Eastern Devon, West Somerset, and certain districts of Cornwall, than tlio Devon longwool. Particularly adapted to the warm fertile vales and rich low lying plains of this interesting part of the kingdom, it has held its o«n against all new coiners, purely because none have ever been found more profitable. Mr Andrew Hoseeood, an extensive and old established tenant farmer of the Wilhton vale, a few years since made use of the following practical remark founded on experience : " In this district," ho said, " I have known the Exmoor, Dorset, Sussex, Shropshire, Cotswold, «nd pure Leicester tried, but experimenters always go back to the old sort — the Devon longwool." Probably no breed of equally high claims has been less ■written about, although derived from the ancient Bampton stock, universally acknowledged to have been an exceedingly useful and extensively propagated variety in the last century. Short descriptions are of courso to bo found ot this parent race in Arthur Young's writings, and in the papers and surveys of the Board of Agriculture. But after a new variety had |been created by judicious crossings, improved Bamptons received scant justice at the hands of journalists and book compilers on sheep husbandry — attributable in some measure, perhaps, to the wide latitude of variety the intermixture of foreign blood from different sources was made to assume at first. While one flockmaster was judiciously content to rely solely on Dishley blood to repair defects, another decided on effecting a Lincoln cross ; and a third conceived he might derive superior results by an alliance between the Bampton and Cotswold. There is no evidence of the Southdown having ever been resorted to, although the grey faces to be found in some of the older flocks naturally lead to the supposition ; — bearing the fact in remembrance that the original Bampton possessed a white face, as well as the Leicester and every other long-woolled kind with which it has been known to have been connected. The best flock of Devon longwools are, however, derived solely from Leicester and Bampton — a most valuable cross in every respect, as a more valuable sheep has been created than either ; larger and more productive in both meat and wool than the former, and better shaped, smaller boned, and of more early maturity than the larger. From forty to fifty years ago the improved breed was known by the appellation of the " Devon-Nott ; " but by reason of many of the flockmasters adhering very closely to the Leicester type the name " Leicester longwools " began to be applied to these sheep a quarter of a century Bince ; and authorities for a time seemed disposed to ignore their peculiar characteristics, and to consider them as only forming a sub-variety of the Leicester. During the past fifteen years these sheep have been designated " Devon longwools " — an appellation remarkably suitable, and to which they are now generally deemed fairly entitled, as the most profitable flock are not these which have a near affinity to the Leicester type, and many of the lending breeders have ceased to make new effusions from that blood for twenty or thirty years past, preferring to use Devon longwool rams, for which there is a large and rapidly increasing demand in the West of England. Mr Richard Corner, of Torweston, Williton, who has won the whole of the prizes offered by the Bath and West of England Society for this breed two years in succession, is one of the principal ram breeders. In 1872 his best sheep was let at 70 guineas, and last Eummer 60, 40, 38, and 31 guineas were the figures at whiehjsome were let ; while he obtained the respectable average of £19 8s ljd for thirty. A well-bred animal of this variety differs from a pure Leicester, in having a longer and larger face, with greater width at the forehead and nose, the ears longer. The frame is more bulky, and of far greater length, although not quite so round or compact, bnt will be found to girt to an equal extent, if not more, than the Leicester. The Devon longwool also appears higher than a pure-bred Leicester. In good constitution and hardihord the former surpasses the latter ; it will attain much greater weight of carcass, and more flesh in a given time, and is likewise reputed to come earlier to maturity. The ewes are very fair nurses, and prolific, yielding many twins, although not equal in these respects to Dorset horns, or cross-bred sheep. It has also been remaiked that the coarser-bred Devon longwools are more prolific and better nurses than some of the better flocks of higher quality. There is a great demand for these sheep by graziers who occupy the Somerset marshes, on which they have been found to thrive far better than any other kind. Colonel Luttrell, of Badgworth Oourt, in 1863 published the following statement :— " When I first came to reside amongst the rich marsh Lands of .Somersetshire, I was surprised to see so few black-faced sheep ; and, on making inquiries, was toldjrhat the Down sheep did not pay for grazing on rich pasture Lands, and that it was difficult to get them fit for the market without the aid of corn. Being rather sceptical on this point, in the spring of '61 I bought 800 two-tcothed sheep, of which 100 were Hampshire Downs and 200 Devon-Notts. I picked out thirty of the best Downs to take the first run of the pasture, with Bixty of the best Devons. All the Devons became fit for market during the summer and were sold ; the Downs showed but 1 ittle improvement. On October 28 1 put the thirty Downs with thirty of the best Devons on a piece of after grass. At this time I huxl bath lots of sheep weighed, and I again weighed them November 28, when I found that the thirty Downs had increased in weight 2431b ; whereas the Devons had increased 4461b." — Mr L. Darby, in the Fitld.

Nitre and Sulphur. — loz nitre, soz sulphur, lOoz of water, to be given on an empty stomach in ounce doses, two or three times, at intervals of six, eight or ten clays as necessary. The nitre to be dissolved in the water, the sulphur added, and the mixture to be wel l shaken before measuring out the dose, winch is best administered from a bulluck's horn. Linseej* Oil axd Turpentjxe —2 dis. turps, loz linseed oil, in a thin mucilage of flour or starch, as one close. To be given on an empty stomach, and to bo repeated two or three times as necessary, at intervals of six or eight days. Liverpool Salt and Sulphur. — To lcwt Liverpool salt add 121bs sulphur, mix thoroughly and give each sheep two table spoonfuls, either by adding water and administering it with a drenching, three or four times at intervals of three days, or placing the mixture dry in troughs and allowing the sheep to lick it. This like the other medicines to be given on an empty stomach. Hobehound. — Make as strong a decoction as possible by boiling the horehound well, and with a bullock horn give each sheep a wine-glassf uJ on an empty stomach, three or four times at intervals of three days. Some add half a pint of turps to the gallon of horehound, and others administer with a strong dose of salt and water.

At the annual dinner of the Coggeshall Agricultural Society, Mr Mechi satd that,"" one great deficiency in connection with agriculture was tho want of higher and more scientific education of agriculturists. He knew there was very strong prejudice in favor of practical men and practical measures ; but if theory and practice could be combined, the combination would tend greatly to the welfare of the country. In America there w ere 32 agricultural colleges, each baring three or four acres of land attached, while in England there was only such college, that at Ctrencester. This was a great misfortune to England." To make a square harrow in two parts hinged together in the centre, take four pieces of 4 i 4 hardwood scantling six feet long, and eight pieces three feet long. Mortice the shorter pieces into the longer ones twenty inches apart and six inches from each end, thus making two frames or gates six feet long, three feet wide, with four cross-bars each, lunge the two gates together by means of three pain of eycbohs with a long rod passing through each pair. Put live teeth 12' inches long and $ inch thick of square iron rod into each cross bar. There will then be 52 teeth. This harrow should be drawn from one corner. To burn oyster shells for lime or manure, the shells may be burned in a pit similar to that in which charcoal is burned. The shells should be piled in a heap with layers of wood chips, brushwood, nnd small cordwood intermingled. A layer of dry wood split fine should be placed at the bottom of the heap, arranged so that a draft is made to the centre of the heap, in which arc a few sticks of wood placed on end to form a chimney. The heap should be covered •with sods or coarse litter and then with earth, leaving a few holes for air until it is well kindled. Then the holes should be closed up almost entirely.

The Hon. W. Kttene, one of the Maori members of the Government, recently y.sited the Middle Wand, and has written his impressions of the country to the "AVaka Maori." After hading the Maoris of "Waiyounamu (Middle Island) for their abstinence from intoxicating drinks, Mr Katcne proceeds —''I shall now cay something about thu (Middle) Island, its soil, and the general appearance of the country. I saw no inferior countiy in the districts -which I visited. There may be some poor country in some parts, but I did not go e\ ery where. What I saw was most excellent. The most mountainous part is from Otago to Moeraki. From Moeraki to O«maru, and on to Christchurch, isallle\ei country. To me it was pleasant to look at the farms and cultivation! of wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes. Some of these cultivation!, the property of one man, probably exceeded a thou«and acre/", and some less. I was a cry much pleased and interested with the work performed by the reaping and threshing machines of the pakehas. The whole country appeared teeming with grain ; whether on the hill-tops or the plains, the reaping machines were at work everywhere. The country ftom Moeraki to Christchurch is level as the suriace of the sea. The old saying — "Land, the sweep of the hawk," is very applicable to this country. I travelled, I suppose, sonic 200 miles over this country, and I found it everyvhere cultivated. I imagine, wpre it not lor the quantity of gram raiser) jn this island, we should not have sufficient for our own consumption in New Zea'and. I had heard before of the large amount of food produced in this island, hut now 1 have seen it. The onh uncultivated country istbat which « occupied by sheep. Much" fine country is thus occupied. It the sheep were kept on the hills, and the good land which they occupy cultivated by mftn, there would be more grain gronn in this land than tould bethspoied of.

The Xeio York Tribune discourses thus upon a caie decided recently in the Brooklyn City Court in the case of Homan v. Earle. This decision practically abolishes kissing in affixing thereto the penalty of matrimony at the discretion of the kissers. To thousands of gay butterflies and pretty innocents this news will be of deep and painful interest. The story of the caso is the following : — A f»w mouths ago Miss Rosclnna Homan brought suit in our neighboring city for broach of promise against Mr Alexander Earle, a prosperous merchant. Mr Earle imagined that before Eoielana could gain her case sho must make tho promise appear. He denied it, and rested calmly, "just hko a man," upon the law and logic of the matter. Miss Homan admitted that there was no promise, verbal or | written, but founded her claim upon the fact that Earle had frequently kissed her. While the unhappy man was congratulating himself imon his easy escape, his heart within him was turned to stone by these inconceivable words from the bpnch, spoken by Judge Neilson, with measured accsnts and slowly-flapping ears. He charged that no words were necessary to constitute an engagement. " The gleam of the eye and the conjunction of the lips," snid this light of jurisprudence, " are overtures, when they become frequent and protracted." The jury always eager to do a thing which shall be at once idiotic and gallant, gave Roxelana 15,000 dollars for the wear and tear of her lips and affections. Of oourse the case was appealed, and the higher tribunal has promptly confirmed the decision of the Court below. It is therefore the law at this hour in the State of New York, that 'if a bachelor kisses a spinster, the 6aid spinster may rightfully claim his hand or his goods. In cases where shyness or lack of opportunity may have prevented actual osculation, the young lady has still another string to her bow : if sho can show that he has ever " shined his eye" in her direction, he is lawful spoil, according to Judge Neilson. There ia positively no protection for a bachelor except nosebags and blind bridles, and tho ability to prove he has never left them oil". Te this extent tho future at least is secure. But how many bnchelors can wake up in the night and soothe their consciences with the reflection that, like Sir Galahad, " they never felt the kiss of love, or maiden's hand in theirs ?" If any such there be, sweet must be bis sleep ; but if in his memory lurks any record of early spoons, how harrowing must be the thought that he is the promised •pouse of every girl he has ever idly saluted. There are young men to-day universally beloved and respected, the cynosures of Sunday-schools, ond the del'ght of evangelical tea-parties, who in tho clear rision of Judge Neilaon aro no better than Hiram, King of Troy, or Brigham, patriarch of Salt Lake. The practical results cf this momentous decision are appalling. No youth who values his liberty will hereafter suffer himself to be kissed except by a lady who can show her marriage certificate, and bring proof that her husband ia living With this exception, this soothing and humanising amusement must be confined to the domestic circle, and tho young man of the future will bo " doomed mere sisterly salutes to feel, insipid things, like sandwiches of veal."