Take a Note of these Talks:

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 4, 21 July 1939, Page 51

Take a Note of these Talks:

1YA: Ante Partum Paralysis or Sleeping Sickness in Ewes. From the Livestock Division. Monday, July 24, 7.30 p.m., with Young Farmers’ Club session at 7.40 p.m. 2YC: Orange Culture, from Department of Agriculture and Pampas Grass, by C. J. Hamblyn, Field Superintendent at Palmerston North,. Tuesday, July 25, 7.30 and 7.40 p.m. 3YA: Addington Market. Wednesday, July 26, at 7.20 p.m. Veterinary Problems in Dairy Cows, by J. McLean, under the auspices of Lincoln College. Thursday, July 27, at 7.35 p.m., with The Sheep Survey at 7.50 p.m. Pruning Pip Fruits, from Department of Agriculture, on Friday, July 28, at 7.35 p.m. 4YA: Footrot in Sheep, from the Livestock Division, on Monday, July 24, at 7.30 p.m. 4YZ: Farm Tractors, by G. Phillips, on Tuesday, July 25, at 8 p.m. Have You Opinions About Lime? If you have, send them in writing in the first place to the Chairman of the Lime Investigation Committee, care of the nearest Department of Agriculture office. Appointments may then be made to enable you to give verbal evidence to the Committee. The purpose of the Committee, as you probably ‘now, is:1. To investigate the more efficient production of lime, and the organisation of the agricultural lime industry generally. 2. To recommend more efficient methods of distribution and marketing of agricultural lime. 3. To investigate and report on the most efficient and equitable manner in which Government assistance (if granted) could be utilised, so that bona fide farmers may secure the maximum benefit therefrom. The total estimated liability of the Government under such a scheme to be indicated. 4. To investigate the prices charged for agricultural lime and the quality of such. Pigs is Pigs For many years (said a speaker at a recent meeting of the Cardiff Young Farmers’ Club) the pig was the "Cinderella" of most dairy farms in New Zealand. As long as the fences were patched up sufficiently to hold the larger pigs, and there was something that appeared as a shelter, everything was near enough. It took the depression to bring home to farmers the real worth of the pig. Hand in hand with the development of breed has gone the advance in the general lay-out of the pig-

geries throughout the country. First and foremost, farmers now realise the beneficial part that grass plays in pig farming. Experiments and experience both go to prove that sweet young grass is of inestimable value in keeping pigs in good health, even though it may not be a means of directly increasing the weight. We also know now that pigs encourage the growth of rye in the pasture more efficiently

than anything else. Let anyone who has doubt examine the pasture in the pig-runs on his own farm and see what grass predominates, The main points to be considered in choosing the place for the piggery are:(a) Distance from cowshed and house. The piggery should be at least 200 yards away from the shed and no drainage should be allowed to come within 50 yards of the shed. Further, the piggery should be on the side of the shed and house away from the prevailing wind.

(b) It should be situated on a piece of elevated land for good drainage. (c) The aspect of the land should be to the north, with the shelter belt cutting off the cold weather from the south and west. The more the pig is subjected to cold the less will be the return of pig-flesh per pound of foodstuff supplied. One cannot condemn too severely the practice of housing pigs under trees, especially pine trees where the lower limbs have been removed. (d) It is wise to place the piggery in such a position that easy access to cow paddocks for a run-out for the dry sows is provided. The piggery should not be regarded as a permanent institution on any one spot, as it is desirable that it be moved every 8-10 years. Pampas Grass on Hills The interesting suggestion was made some time ago in the Journal of Agriculture, and was repeated afterwards in a radio talk to the Palmerston. North Young Farmers’ Club, that pampas grass is worth consideration as a possible source of winter feed on North Island hills. The official view seems to be that, although pampas grass is not easy to establish on hill country it can be established if sufficient care is taken. "Well-rooted yearling plants are preferable to cuttings, and unless care is taken the death rate in transplanting is high. It is therefore advisable to cultivate the land whenever possible before planting. Unfortunately, on much of the land concerned, ploughable land is very scarce, and in many cases is situated on remote portions of the farm, making transport of implements, etc., difficult. "On one farm in the Wairoa district the owner has overcome this obstacle by packing. The plough ‘was packed and the discs dissembled and taken in pieces, and the pampas plants were also carted in the same manner. Every precaution was taken to ensure that the plants, which necessarily had to travel a long distance, and be out of the ground a long time before planting, should receive assistance to establish. " When taken from the bundles plants were dipped in a solution of liquid manure and laid in a shallow trench, awaiting their turn to be planted out. When ready, as many plants as would fit were placed in a benzine tin and the roots covered with liquid manure. The tin was carried by the planter, and as each plant was removed and placed in the ground its roots were therefore moist and at no time exposed to drying conditions. In this manner approximately three acres were planted out. It will not be necessary to pack on all farms, but it is most necessary that all care should be taken that the necessary preparations for planting should be thorough. The average number of plants which live under ordinary farm establishment practices is probably not more than 70 per cent., and this percentage is much reduced when plants are many days in transport."