RURAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 17 April 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

RURAL NOTES.

SiieKP Breeding.— A flocks of i.sheep should double themselves each year, says the Rural Canadian, ami the early lambs will soli for quite as much as tho ihcep coat in tbo firat place, thua leaving the parent stock and wool to the goon. In Fact, sheep breeding is one of the best paying branches of mixed farming, esppcially in this country, with its dry climate and rich pastures. There it no country in the world whers sheep thrive so -well, are so free from disease,* and attnin such perfection as in Canada. American Mutton.— The number of sheep slaughtered for mutton annually in America is roughly estimated at 12,000,000, and from these the bulk of what is known as pulled wool comes. Hkrefords v. Shorthorns. — At the Gloucester county show Shorthorn breeders sustained another defeat though both champion prizes for the best bull of any breed and the best female on the ground being awarded to Herefords. As two of the three judges are themselves Shorthorn breeders, the decision will be generally regarded as a strictly impartial one, and it was endorsed by popular opinion outside the ring. The winning animals were both from the Showle Court herd of Mr H. W. Taylor. Jam Industry.— Tasmania, small aa she is, has been devoting herself so long and under such favourable circumstances to the jam industry, that she has now, after aupplying her own wants, the enormous surplus for export of 4,500,00011*. weight of jam every year. New South Wales has hitherto been taking about 2,5Q0,500Jb5. of that jam. Giealdiwe Daikt Factort. —We learn that the total supply of milk for the month of January was 21,726 gallons, for which £339 0s 6d. had been paid, this sum being distributed among 38 suppliers. It is therefore apparent that the Dairy Factory is of immense value to the settlers' in the district, Earwigs. — Earwigs are furniahed with a powerful projecting forceps, a most formidable weapon of defence, and offence. They increase rapidly, and are most formidable in their destructive' and consumptive power, eating roses, fruit, and almost everything that comes in their way. They also choose the choicest rose blooms for laying places as well as feeding groups, especially in the autumn, and thus mar the enjoyment of many a rose in hand or vase of roses in table. They abound especially in old, neglected gardens in the close vicinity of thatched house, barns, or other buildings and wherever neglect, decay, and slovenly gardening finds a home. They hate con* atant disturbance, the rooting out of their lairs in decayed boughs or branches, hid away under old sheds, in holes in' walls, even in the ground near the boles of trees. Using the hoe freely, among and around roses, bothers the earwigs, into shifting their quarters. They may also be routed out or snared in dry, cut reeds, and the hollow stems of any unbelliferous plants, trapped in pots baited with cold potatoes covered with hay ; all traps aud decoys to be examined, and the contents destroyed daily. Such tactics pursued with dilligeuce' will speedily make an end of the troublesome pest of earwigs.