H.—2l

6

proof against parasitical life. Turpentine in proportion of one pint to 251bs. to SOlbs. of salt is also found of much benefit. Footrot has been troublesome in several districts. Many owners are somewhat careless in dealing with this disease. The steps to bo taken being simple, and unless in exceptional'cases, effectual. I append several dressings recommended. The first thing is to carefully pare and clean the hoofs, care being taken not to cut too close. Toe-parers can be purchased for this purpose, and are much superior to the knife. After the mixture is prepared place sufficient in a trough to cover the hoofs, which for small flocks should be, say, 16ft. long, Bin. wide, and 12in. deep, with hurdles alongside ; or for large flocks the ordinary branding-race, with concrete floor and sides, suits admirably. Gratings must be placed both at inlet and outlet so as to keep the feet clean. The time required for the sheep to stand in the mixture is about three minutes. Dressings : Arsenic, 1-Joz. to 2-J-oz.; washing soda, 2oz. ; water, 1 gallon. The arsenic requires to be thoroughly boiled, and the soda added in small quantities, otherwise it will boil over. Bluestone is sometimes used with arsenic—say l|-oz. of each to 1 gallon of water and a small quantity of soda. Freshly-slaked lime has also been found of service. If the sheep are badly affected the full strength of the mixture is required, but it should not be so strong on putting them through the second time —in, say, ten days. If the flock be a small one the feet may conveniently be dressed by hand, at the time of paring, with one of the following dressings : (1.) Bluestone (in powder), 1 part; Stockholm tar, 8 parts. (2.) Oil of tar, 10 parts; carbolic acid, 1 part; olive oil, 1 part. (3.) Butyr of antimony, 1 part; tincture of myrrh, 1 part. Lice have been prevalent to some extent, but where sheep have been properly dipped there is no trouble. Unfortunately many owners, either through carelessness or want of knowledge, give their sheep too short a swim or make the mixture too weak, resulting in complaints being made by Inspectors of the number of lousy flocks coming under their notice. Cattle. The health of the cattle is generally good. A considerable rise in the price has taken place within the last twelve months, the demand being principally for dairy-cows and fat stock. The former have gone up quite 50 per cent, in price. Several valuable additions to our herds were imported both from Scotland and Victoria. From the former some magnificent polled Angus arrived, and also one bull and three cows of the Highland breed—noble specimens, and the first of the kind in the colony. Several shorthorns were imported from Victoria. The whole of these cattle underwent the usual period of quarantine, and were released in good order. The infusion of so much valuable blood into our herds will go a long way towards raising the general character of the cattle-stock of the colony. Now that dairying has become firmly established, and the demand for dairy-cows likely to increase, an endeavour should be made to establish a breed with good milking properties. Disease. —Several cases of cancer, tuberculosis, and actinomycosis, have been met with, principally in sale-yards, and in each instance the animals were destroyed. Hoeses. The general health is good, and no serious losses were reported. The bot-fly has unfortunately become firmly established all over the colony, and although extremely troublesome has not been proved to cause any serious injury. Some time ago it was generally supposed that many deaths were due to bots, but the best authorities have been unable to trace a single death to their presence. The general quality has not improved, and much more care in the selection of both sire and dam is much needed. A considerable number of horses have arrived in the colony from Melbourne, and from all accounts this can hardly be a remunerative speculation. Pigs. This generally-despised species of our farm animal has lately come into prominence owing to the presence of a representative of a large firm dealing in mess pork. The firm alluded to are making preparations to erect several factories, and are willing to take all pigs offered at a price which should induce settlers to turn their attention to pig-raising as a part of their general operations. This opens up a way of utilising the skim milk and whey from our dairy factories, The prohibition on the importation of swine having been removed, breeders have now an opportunity of introducing some fresh blood under quarantine regulations. As it is many years since any swine were imported, it is hoped some of our enterprising breeders will, at an early date, avail themselves of the alteration in the regulations. QuAEANTINE. An unusual number of the different breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs arrived for quarantine, and to accommodate them considerable additions to buildings, and the erection of fencing for paddocks, had to be undertaken. The grounds both at Quail Island, Lyttelton, and Somes's Island, Wellington, are well provided with paddocks and sheds, the accommodation being now ample for many years to come. The spaces between the fences were planted with trees, and these have done remarkably well. The planting will be finished this incoming season. In accordance with the decision of the Stock Conference, new regulations are being prepared, and will shortly be issued. Several important alterations have been made, all in favour of importers of stock. Stock -Bill. The present Sheep, Cattle, Diseased Cattle, and Brands and Branding Acts having been found to require amendment, a new Bill was drafted last session and presented to Parliament, consoli-