On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 27 March 1913, Page 51

On the Land

GENERAL. The American gallon weighs 8.61 b, and the quart 2.151 b. It is necessary to notice this in comparing the yield of cows. The result of experiments in manuring turnips on 45 farms in Scotland is that, where farmyard manure is not used, potassic and nitrogenous manures are valuable, the former being more essential. What is claimed to be the highest ' semi-official' milk record in the world is that of the Holstein cow Creamelle Vale, owned by Mr. F. F. Field, of Massachusetts. She produced in one year 20,5911 b milk, containing 9241 b fat, which will make 11551 b butter, 80 per cent. fat. There were only moderate entries in all departments at Burnside last week. The sheep forward totalled 2511. At the opening of the sale there was fair competition at equal to late rates, this applying more especially to wethers. As the sale progressed, however, prices receded somewhat, more particularly for ewes, the reduction in this class of sheep varying from ■ 6d to 2s per head.' Wethers were also slightly easier towards the end of the sale. Prime wethers made up to 275, and prime heavy ewes up to 23s 9d. The lambs yarded totalled 1389, the bulk of these being secured by freezing buyers, who bid well up to late rates, best making up to £1 per head. There was a fair yarding of cattle, numbering 177 head. There was not the usual keen demand, a decrease of 10s having to be recorded, and in some cases 15s per head. Best bullocks made up to £l3 7s 6d, and best heifers to £ll ss. Pigs were in keen request. Forty-seven porkers and baconers and 94 stores were yarded, and anything fit for the butcher sold under very keen competition, porkers making from 6d to 6£d per lb. At Addington last week store sheep again formed the major portion of the yarding of stock, and there was a large attendance. Fat cattle sold irregularly, with prices slightly firmer. Store sheep, especially ewes and lambs, sold well, and there was a recovery in fat lamb prices in consequence of a small yarding. Fat sheep opened firmer, wethers showing an advance of Is per head. Pigs showed no change in prices. Fat lambs to the number of 1922 were penned. Best lambs made 17s 6d to 21s 9d, and lighter, 14s 2d to 17s. About 1700 were taken for export. There was an entry of about 4000 fat sheep, the bulk being ewes. The market opened firmer, the butchers operating freely, as they had got so few lambs. Wethers showed an advance of Is per head. The yarding of fat cattle aggregated 276 head, the current price of beef being 22s 6d to 30s per 1001 b, according to quality. Steers realised £5 10s to £9 10s; extra, to £l4 ss; heifers, £5 17s 6d to £lO 2s 6d. There was a fair entry of fat pigs Choppers realised £3 10s to £5 7s 6d; heavy baconers, 65s to 725, and lighter sorts, 55s to 645, equal to 5d to s£d per lb. The best porkers made 42s 6d to 48s, and lighter sorts 35s to 40s, equivalent to sfd to 6d per lb. * FODDER VALUE OF STRAW. The fodder value of straw varies according to the condition m which it has been saved. Oat straw possesses the highest value for feeding, and is readily eaten by all stock. In the chaffed form it may be considered as a first-class supplementary fodder for all ruminants as a mixture with other foods. Barley straw is somewhat similar to oat straw in composition It is also eaten with relish, and is relatively easy of digestion It seems quite suitable as fodder for cattle, but when fed to horses, unless mixed with hay, has been found liable to produce colic. Rye straw is harder and tougher than that of other cereals, but this is not altogether a disadvantage, as it obliges the horses to masticate better the grain mixed with it. Wheat straw is very similar to rye straw, but not so well liked by horses Cows eat it more freely. The straw from peas and beans

is more difficult of digestion than that from cereals, but contains more nourishment. The stems of vetches are constipating. Of course, straw is not suitable as a food by itself. It is only as supplementary fodder that it has a real value. As chaff, mixed about half and half with grain, it is valuable in forcing horses to chew their food more thoroughly, and thus to extract the greatest benefit from it. For cattle and sheep good straw may occasionally serve as a complete fodder, when the animals are not being fattened, and even with fattening cattle straw may serve as part of the ration, as it helps to * stimulate digestion.. In years when fodder is scarce straw can be put to a very good purpose, but one should not forget that it must not be used for feeding in too large quantities. Cows in calf should not be allowed straw at all, or very sparingly. J *' GREASE. The skin above the heels of the horse is thin and sensitive, and it is protected in health and kept soft by an oily secretion of the local glands. When through different causes these glands become inflamed the secretion becomes excessive in quantity, and is altered in character and has an offensive smell. When grease is neglected the affected part becomes the seat of raw tender sores with an offensive discharge, and in worse cases the part may become covered with large granulations, popularly called 'grapes.' Extreme cases may go on to canker of the sole. A horse that has once had grease is liable to relapse. Some horses are more liable to grease than others. There seems to be a consituation tendency in such cases that is admitted to be hereditary. On this account, horses and mares that are inclined to grease should not be used for stud purposes.. : f:<.-.,, *.'•;•... The exciting causes of grease are wet, coldy. and dirt. Washing the legs without drying them thoroughly afterwards is a common cause. Some cases can be traced to derangement of the digestive Organs, and may be associated with poor condition; although sometimes high condition _ and insufficient exercise may provoke an attack. It is much more frequently seen in winter than at other seasons. Altogether it may be classed as one of the consequences of neglect or bad management. An attack is usually ushered in with ah itching of the heels, which keeps the horse stamping, and rubbing his legs together. This sometimes escapes notice. Next the hairs at the back will be found to be standing out, and dropping a yellow oil, which scalds the skin as it passes over it. The legs swell, and the heels become very hot and sensitive. The' horse is stiff in his movements, and becomes more and more lame as the attack proceeds. The hollows of the heels become affected with cracks, and bad cases go on to the formation of grapes. The smell of the discharge is very offensive. No time should be lost on the first appearance of the symptoms. The earlier the treatment is commenced the simpler it will be; but, before any remedial measures are applied, the cause should be removed. The patient should be put into a thoroughly clean stable, which will be kept clean, and no draughts from the door should be allowed to play round his heels. The diet should be of a laxative nature. If green soiling is available it will be useful. In winter roots may take the place of soiling. Bran and boiled linseed mashes may be given as required, and the allowance of oats should be cut off altogether. If the animal is not in low condition it would be advisable to give an aloetic ball. At first it may be advisable to apply warm poultices to the feet, and change them frequently for a couple of days. When the medicine has acted, the legs may be treated with an astringent lotion. The great difficulty lies in getting the lotion to reach the skin, as the lie of the hair tends to throw it off. ( The most certain method is to put the foot into a bucket of the lotion, and to leave it there long enough to secure that the lotion shall have thoroughly penetrated the hair and acted on the skin.