H.—29.

specified are—l92B-29, 708,515 ; 1929-30, 691,604 ; 1930-31, 568,491 ; 1931-32, 570,144 ; 1932-33, 552,233 ; 1934-35, 626,021. The figures for the North and South Islands in recent years are— North Island. South Island. Tons. Tons. 1931-32 .. .. .. .. .. .. 435,237 134,907 1932-33 .. .. .. .. .. .. 463,603 149,847 1933-34 .. .. .. .. .. .. 394,156 158,077 1934-35 .. .. .. .. .. .. 471,876 154,145 The agricultural lime carried by rail during the year ended the 31st March, 1935, was 50,757 tons greater than in the previous year —the greatest annual increase recorded in recent years. The quantities, in tons, of agricultural lime carried annually by rail since Ist March, 1929, are — North Island. South Island. * or Dominion. 1929-30 .. .. .. .. 60,476 111,063 171,539 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 72,678 83,168 155,846 1931-32 .. .. .. .. 70,570 69,766 140,336 1932-33 .. .. .. .. 94,701 79,713 177,117 1933-34 .. .. .. .. 99,919 94,068 193,987 1934-35 .. .. .. .. 116,482 128,256 244,738 This is the first occasion on which over 100,000 tons of lime have been carried by rail in one year in each Island. If it were certain that the lime-supplies were being used where farm experience and investigation have shown that they are productive of profitable results, then the recent increases in the amount of lime handled would be a matter for congratulation, but when the railage destinations of certain substantial supplies are checked against the results of field trials and veterinary experience it seems that lime is at times being used increasingly without any evidence that would justify recommending its use. From the available evidence it seems probable that some districts, with advantage, could use greater quantities of lime than are being used, while in other districts the outlay now made on lime could be made more profitably in other directions — e.g., in the use of phosphates. Stock-diseases. The health of horses has not occasioned concern throughout the year. In general, the year has been normal in respect to diseases of cattle. Of the animals examined at abattoirs and meatexport slaughterhouses only 5-54 per cent, were found to be affected with tuberculosis in varying degrees. The incidence of black-leg was considerably less than in the previous year, whereas there was an increase in the number of farms on which Johne's disease was found. The insidious nature of this disease and the economic loss which it may produce suggest more drastic control measures, and consideration is being given to the advisability of these. In the areas affected the presence of the cattle-tick is not looked upon as so serious as it was some years ago. But the presence of the tick is definitely undesirable, and suitable individual effort, such as spraying, hand-picking, and the destruction by burning or otherwise of winter cover for ticks is very advisable. The incidence of mammitis in dairy cows was less than in past years : this probably is attributable to the dry summer. The great importance of hygienic measures in the control of mammitis is being more widely recognized by dairy-farmers. While contagious abortion remains widely disseminated, the year was not marked by unusually heavy incidence. There appear to be a decreased incidence of temporary sterility. Some very interesting investigations on the influence on sterility of feeding to male animals diets containing a high content of protein are in progress at Wallaceville Laboratory, but have not reached the stage of providing practical guidance. Bloat in cows is being investigated both in the field and at the Wallaceville Laboratory. The incidence of grass staggers or grass tetany in cows, which is confined mainly to the Waikato district, is stated to have been less than in previous years. Investigations particularly relative to blood-magnesium are being continued. The losses from parasitic diseases which are prevalent in young cattle could be minimized by greater attention to good feeding and care. " Foul-foot " in cattle, which still occurs in dairying districts, could be avoided to a marked extent by the provision of concrete pathways as exits from yards. Apart from a serious outbreak of facial eczema, the year presented no abnormal features in respect to diseases of sheep. " Facial eczema " is discussed at considerable length in the appended report to the Director of the Live-stock Division.

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