FARM, GARDEN, AND ORCHARD NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

FARM, GARDEN, AND ORCHARD NOTES.

Tuberculosis.—Tuberculosis appears to be sprending rupidly in most Continental couo trios. Acoording to tho etatietice produced before the Veterinary Congross, lately hold in Paris, of tho cattle slaughtered in public abbatoirs, 1.2 per cent, aro found affectod with thin disease. After a long debate the congress unanimously voted that tuberculosis should bo included amongst the contagious diseases of animals, and that the flesh and the milk of affected animals should bo condemned as unfit for food.

The Pig Pen.—Little pigs will thrive wonderfully on whole outs. Let them have a separate run where they can eat them. The sow with a litter of new born pigs should not bo disturbed for 24 hours. In a natural state thuy will not loavo tho nest for two or throe duya, A light bbd is best for a breeding sow. The new born pigs pet tangled in tho straw when there is too much, and thoy may get under it, and the sow lies on them. They should always be in eight. A dry, hard bed is the best.

A Big Speculation.—There has recently been effected at Maple Creek, in Western Assiniboia, on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, what is probably the largest importation of live stock ever made into Canada at one time, and by one company. It composed 18,000 head of aheep, which were purchased in Oregon, and travelled thence through Washington Territory, Idaho, and Montana into Assiniboia. For 80 hours they journeyed by rail, and accomplished the remainder of the distance on foot. It is intended to distribute them upon Sir Lister Kaye's farms, east and west of Maple Creek. This introduction of sheep in numbers upon the rolling prairies of the Canadian North-West is a plucky experiment, and though it was suggested •o'me years ago it now for the first time put into operation. The result of Sir Lister Kaye's venture will be watched with interest.

Devonshire Cream.—ln Devonshire!, clotted cream is made in the following manner :—Tho milk is struined into large, deep pans and put in tho dairy, where it stands for 8 or 10 hours ; the pans are then taken out and the milk scalded, by placing the pans containing it in an iron skillet about half full of water, and set upon the range. At tho bottom of the skillett there is a grate upon which the pan of milk rests, so as to keep it from the bottom and prevent any burning. The milk is slowly heated to near the boiling point, or until the cream begins to show a distinctly marked circle or crinkle around the outer edges. When the first bubble rises to the surface it must be immediately removed from the fire. Some experience is necessary in applying the heat to have it just right, otherwise the cream is spoiled. When properly scalded the milk is removed to the dairy, where it stands from 12 to 24 hours, acrording to the condition of the weather, when the cream is removed, and is in a thick compact mass, an inch or more thick, and quite different from ordinary cream, It is them divided with a knife into squares of convenient size, and removed with a skimmer.

Rabbits in California.—The rabbit is becoming in some portions of California nearly as great a pest aa ia Australia. Their ravages are now so serious that their wholesale extermination, in the interests of farmers is said to be imperative. As science has as yet provided no efficient mode of keeping down these animals in sparsely populated countries, tho Californians have adopted a rough and ready plan, which produces fairly good results. In one of the recent drives, in which hundreds of people took part, in Frisco County, the result of the day's work showed a mortality of 12,000. Wheu a drive is resolved upon, a large quantity of fine wire netting, about three feet hii»h, shaped like a V, terminating at the smaller end iu a circular corral, is constructed. The opening to the corral at Wildflour embractid about sevcu miles of country, and the object of the party was to get the vermin within the enclosure. When they meet the corral men with sticks speedily destroy them. The heap of slain at the end of the day was five feet high, twenty feet wide and forty feet long. The Californian farmers estimate that five rabbits consume aa much as one sheep, and they have become so destructive that the farmers are getting alarmed.

I The Canadian Catile Trade.—The Canadian cattle trade is decidedly on the increase, as the present season is the largest ever known ; SO,OOO animals have been shipped to Europe so far. being 20,000 more than previously. It is stated in the future that all beasts from Canada will be shipped to the ports on the west coast of Ireland, and there pastured for a few weeks before being sent to market. The trade in dead meat from Canada has also developed considerably of late, and only the other day a company, called the Canadian (Direct) Meat Company, was formed with a capital of £350,000 to further increase the output. It is believed that the new company will obtain a concession from the Corporation of the Three Rivers City, Canada (which is over 300 miles nearer to England than is New York), oi 100 acres of freehold land within the city's limits, where ! abattoirs and othei buildings will be erected. Here they will kill and dress for shipment. During the last few years the trade in the carriage of meat from over sea has been very largely developed and the Canadian Government are making arrangements for a more rapid transport of mails and produce and for the provision of a six day communication with England, being one day less steaming than from New York.

A Curious Insect.—Miss Ormorod, consulting , entomologist to tho Royal Agricultural Society of England, describes a very curious insect which attacks fruit trees. Tho pest is fortunately not widespread in England, but still some young , plum trees have been killed by it in Toddington. This insect is a email blackish beetle, the Xyleborus dispar Fao, so named from the disparity in size and shape between the male and female. The female is somewhat cylindrical, with a little lump on tho forepart of the body, and is little more than a line long, but the male is only about two-thirds of that length and rounded in outline. Tho females bore into the hard wood of tho stems of young trees and kill the part above with groat rapidity. Ono beetles tunnel which Miss Ormerod examined was bored horizontally about two-thirds round tho stem, ; and from this three or more tunnels went directly upwards and downwards, one of these clearing out an inch or two of the central pith. Thus in consequence of tho stems being partially ringed, and the loss of sap also, the attack very rapidly proves fatal. Tho beetle lives in all its stages in borings in tho wood, and attacks apple and plum trees, as well as many kinds of forest trees. It appears quite unexpectedly, and disappears (unaccountably) as suddonly. All the stems afiocted should be carefully burned, as the borings are often crammed full of beetles.