Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 151 



Porkers would weigh 80 lb. dressed, at eay four and a half or five months. These weights 

 were not by any means uncommon, yet how few there were whose stock reached them 

 as a standard. 



A number of young pigs were lost while still \vith the mother. This percentage varied 

 from 30 to 50 per cent., but it should not be more than 10 per cent, at the outside, and 

 the loss coidd to a very large extent be prevented by careful management and proper 

 housing. 



Diseases such as " scour " in young pigs carried off a large number, as also did " pants " 

 or pleurisy. Many sows suffered from milk fever, often the result of constipation and 

 general anaemia. Many young pigs were overlaid at birth, many were bom dead, and 

 many lingered on, too weak to last more than thi'ee or four days. This loss could be pre- 

 vented to a very large extent, or at least coiUd be partly controlled by a proper knowledge 

 of the business, by giving it untiring care and attention. The farmer who was so careful 

 as to prevent a great number of the losses in his young stock, and who succeeded in raising 

 a large percentage to maturity, often lacked judgment in the selection of the means by 

 which he would market his stock. There were several markets for pork and bacon pigs, 

 in addition to a good local demand for stores. Mr. Shelton's advice was that farmers 

 should visit the abattoir pig sales and see the way in which stock was handled and sold, 

 see the types that sold best, and note the qualitj', evenness, grading, and general superiority 

 of a good type animal. Pigs and calves should be properly branded, and the agents 

 advised of the lot beforehand or at the time of despatch. The market was always ready 

 to receive good class porkers, baconers and backfatters. Let them send in gocd quality 

 stock, evenly graded, and properly topped, and a reputation for their pigs and a profitable 

 price would be the result. 



Sudan Grass and Rape in the Central Western 



Districts. 



" "Will you please tell me the price of Sudan grass seed and rape seed, and how 

 much is sown to the acre," wrote a western correspondent to the Department. 

 " I have a paddock ready of 772 acres, and want to sow with half of each." 



The writer was informed in the following terms : — " Sudan grass is sold 

 by Sydney seedsmen at 3s. 6d. per lb. This increased price is due to the 

 scarcity of seed, and should be much less next year. It is recommended 

 that only a small area be sown this year, from which sufl&cient seed could 

 be harvested to fulfil requirements next season. Four to six pounds per 

 acre, in drills about 3 feet apart, is sufl&cient. 



" Rape seed is sown at the rate of about 4 lb. per acre, the best practice 

 being to put it in drills 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet apart. It can be sown either 

 through the grass seed box attached to the wheat drill, or by mixing it with 

 superphosphate or dry earth and sowing through the fertiliser box ; the row«! 

 can be spaced by closing up some of the hoppers. The price of the seed ie 

 about Is. per lb., and the best time for sowing is about the end of February, 

 We are unable to recommend rape for your district, as we have found thfei- 

 it is only in good seasons that it proves successful ; we have found that bette^^ 

 crops for grazing are obtained by sowing oats or wheat." 



The Pine-tree Borer Active. 



Specimens of the pine-tree borer (Diadoxtis scalaris) reached the Government 

 Entomologist through the Forestry Commission from two separate sources 

 quite lately, suggesting that this beetle is again becoming active. During 

 serious droughts in the west pine trees are very subject to its attacks, while 

 in normal seasons only the small pine seedlings suffer. 



