3

PL—29a

Sheep. Facial Eczema made its appearance in some areas where a plentiful growth of autumn feed occurred. Had this late-grown feed come away earlier much more trouble from this affection would probably have been experienced; as it was, the advent of early frosts and cooler weather changed the feeding-conditions sufficiently to prevent further trouble. Facial eczema is of dietetic origin and is not infectious. II was fully described in the annual report of 1910. Parasitic Gastritis gave less trouble than usual among hoggets, though some individual stockowners suffered losses. Altogether very little trouble as a result of disease among sheep came under notice during the year. Swine. Apart from tuberculosis there is nothing of special interest to record in the matter of disease among swine—a matter for congratulation, seeing that the wrong conditions under which many pigs are kept and fed. are calculated to render the animals less resistant to sickness and disease than would be the case were they properly eared for. Tuberculosis, 1 regret to say, has ceased to show the steady annual decrease in the number of cases met with that has been noted year by year since 1911. During the past year statistics obtained from the examination in slaughter of 169,715 pigs show that practically 1 per cent, more were found to be tubercular than was the case last, year. This is not serious, but it indicates the necessity for continuous vigilance in combating this disease of swine. This must be exercised principally in the direction of prevention. Bush-sickness Investigation. Good progress has been made with this work during the year, and the outlook is distinctly promising. Various experiments at the Mamaku Farm are still in progress and are yet unfinished. Among these are the following : — (1.) Young cattle (two) grazing upon untreated land, but having chemically treated drinking-water. One of these two animals was placed in the paddock in April, 1915, the other in July, 1915. Both are still in good health. (2.) Young cattle grazing on untreated land and having free access to a lick containing iron. Commenced 19th October, 1915; all doing well. (3.) Young cattle of the same age and class as those used for No. 2 grazing upon treated land and having full access to the iron lick. Commenced 19th October, 1915; all doing well. (4.) Last season's calves, ten in number, born between Ist September and 16th October, 1915, all on treated land, one-half of them having access to iron lick, the other half receiving phosphate of iron in their drinking-water. All these calves, after receiving new milk for a period of fourteen days, and a further period of fourteen days on half new and half skim milk with a small amount of calf-food added, were reared on a mixture of oatmeal 4 parts, crushed linseed 1 part, mixed with separated milk. So far they have done well throughout. (5.) Eight ewes grazing on a small paddock heavily top-dressed with hydrated iron oxide (20 cwt. per acre). Commenced sth May, 1915; all doing well. In addition to the experimental work, grazing operations on ordinary commercial lines have been carried out with profitable results, both as regards cattle and sheep, end it is quite evident that this land, when properly treated, can be profitably utilized for live-stock. (Details were furnished in an article in the Department's Journal of Agriculture for November, 1915.) Inspection op Meat. During the year the meat-inspection staff was further depleted through enlistments in the Expeditionary Forces, and, as was necessary in the preceding year, still further appointments of lay Inspectors had to be made. The completion of new meat-export slaughterhouses also necessitated additions to the staff, and with the assistance of these officers and the loyal service rendered by the whole of the officers engaged in this duty the result of the year's work must, be considered quite satisfactory. The following new slaughterhouses commenced operations during the year : — . Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company (Limited), Horotiu. Otaihape Farmers' Meat and Produce Company (Limited), Winiata, Taihape. Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company (Limited), Waipaoa. The undermentioned additional freezing-works are either projected or in course of erection, and it is anticipated that most of these will be ready to commence next season : —* Wellington Meat Export Company (Limited), Kakariki, Marton. Westfield Freezing Company (Limited), Auckland. Wairoa Farmers' Co-operative Meat Company (Limited), Wairoa. Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) (Limited), Belfast. Taranaki Farmers' Freezing Company (Limited), New Plymouth. North Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Freezing Company (Limited), Kaiapoi. Christchurch Meat Company (Limited), Wanganui. Oroua and West Coast Meat Freezing Company (Limited), Feilding. East Coast Co-operative Freezing Company (Limited), Tauranga. * The works of the Oroua Company and the Westfield Company have been completed and have commenced operations since the compilation of this list.