GLEANINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1603, 12 October 1882, Page 3

GLEANINGS.

Deliverance from Rats. — I have used the following plan with instant and unfailincr success :— Procure copperas, and spiinkle wherever they are likely to run, in and about their holes. Make it very fine, so as to enter the pores of their feet, and my word for it you will be 'safely delivered' of rats in forty-eight hours. They always migrate to the nearest neighbour's premises. Some years ago a garndener asked how he could improve the Lima bean. He Mas told to find, if possible, a pod having at least four beans ; the next season to plant the one, the largest and best of select as before one bean, the one which not only seemed to the eye the largest and best, but the one that could weigh the most, and then to pursue this method for several years. Iti some parts of the south of England chalk occurs in great abundance, and is applied to heavy soils and pastures at the rate of 20 or 30 tons per acre in 10 or 14 years. The use of marl is general throughout those parts of the United Kingdom where it occurs in quantity ; it is applied in the same manner as chalk, and for like put poses. The State forests of France amount to 3,000,000 acies, it is said, and yield an annual revenue of ,>,000,000 dollars. Many of the provinces and departments also arc large forest proprietors. Germany lias about 33,00U,000 acres in forest, nearly one. third of which belongs to the State, one-sixth of the Communes, and somewhat less than one-half to private individuals. Other European countries have larger forest areas, with correspondingly larger revenues. Potatoes in Wet Soil— There is no plan equal to planting potatoes on the surface, and co\ cring the sets with soil obtained irom between the rows, which, ill the ca^e, should be 31 feet or 4 feet apart. It is surprising what fine crops are obtained by this method of culture in cold, wet soils. — Mark Lane Express. Farmers' poultry are too closely inbred, which makes them weakly and impotent, and they are careless about the old liens. Young hens will lay three or four times as many eggs, and the male birds should be changed at least every other year, introducing new blood. In no case should a male be allowed to breed with his own offspring. Very lew farmers consider these things, and hence poor returns. RuhiNO a Colt. — A colt is regarded as an encumbrance because he is useless until he arrives at a suitable age for work, but it really costs very little, compared with his value, to raise a colt. When the period anives at which the colt can do service the balance-sheet will show in his favour, for young horses always command good prices if they are sound and well broken. One of the difficulties in the way is the encumbrance placed on the dam, which interferes with her usefulness on the farm, especially if the colt is foaled during the early part of spring. Some farmers have their colts foaled in the fall but this is open to two objections. In the first place spiing is the natural time, for then the grass is beginning to grow, and nature seems to have provided that most animals should bring forth their young in a season beyond the roach of severe cold, and with sufficient time to grow and be prepared for the following winter. Again, when a colt is foaled in the fall he must pass through a period of several months' confinement in the stable without exercise, or else more or less chilled with cold from time to time. Should this happen, the effect of any bad treatment will be afterwards manifested, and no amount of attention can again elsvate the colt to that degree of hardiness and soundness of body that naturally belong to a spring colt. Besides, a colt foaled in the spring will outgrow one foaled in the fall. An objection to spring colts may be partially overcome by ploughing in the fall, or keeping the brood mares for very light work with thecolts athberty to accompany thets^ilways. A colt needs very little feeding if the pasture is good, and there is water running through it. He needs then only a small feed of oats at night— no corn— and if he is given hay it is not necessary to give him a full ration. What he will consume from the barn will not be one-third his value when he is three years old, and if he is well-bred the gain is greater. When a fanner raises Ilia horses he knows their disposition, constitution, and capacity. It is the proper way to get good, sound serviceable horses on the farm. It should not be overlooked that a colt must be tenderly treated from birth, and must be fondled and handled as much as possible. He should never hear a harsh word, but should be taught to have confidence in everybody he sees or knows. This is an easy matter if his training begins from the time he is a day old. He cau be thus gradually broken without difficulty, and will never be troublesome. No such a thing as a whip should be allowed in a

stable that contains a colt, Colts should not be worked until three years old, and then lightly at first, as they do not fully mature until they are six years old, and with some breeds of horses even later. Mares with foals at their side should be fed on the richest and most nourishing food.— Toronto Globe.

Mr. J. S. Buckland will sell at the Ohaupoyards on Tuesd.iy 24th inst,. cattle,horses and implements the property of Mr Jabcr Westney who has sold his farm. The partner.-hip hitherto existing between G. A. Laidl.nv and John Cook, storekeepers, at Alexandra, has been dissolved. Messrs Dey and French, general merchants, Hamilton, make an important announcement in our advcrtis'inn 1 columns ; and one worthy the perusal of housekeepers. The Vardeville Comedy and Burlesque Company is about to pay a visit to the W.iikato. The company will appear at Hamilton on Saturday evcninp next. Proceedings will be instituted forthwith agrainst ratepayers in the Newcastle Highway District who have not paid then rates. Mr E. C. Shepherd has been appointed ranger for the Newcastle Highway District for the current year.