868 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Animal pests — rabbits, foxes, deer ; insect pests — g-rubs ; 

 vegetable, i.e., noxious weeds or gTOwtbs, include take-all in wheat, 

 bracken fern, star and other thistles. 



Impaction and milk fever, as also cripples in cattle, are being 

 more successfully treated by owners than formerly, hence there is a 

 decrease in the m<:)rtality from same, whilst but few cases of string- 

 halt in horses have come under my notice. 



There are comparatively few sheep in my district, and I have not 

 heard of any sickness in them. 



Pleiu'o-pnoumonia has appeared in three localities in my district, 

 all directly traceable to one source, viz., cattle purchased from a city 

 dealer about Marcli 18th. In each case I declined to take virus from 

 animals showing disease in an advanced stage, as no good result could 

 ensue, and blood poisoning would follow. I am happy to state this 

 disease has not spread to adjacent farms after quarantine restrictions 

 were enforced. Iti only one case were milkers affected, and on this 

 farm I forbade the milk leaving the place, and instructed that it 

 should only be used there after boiling. The breeds of cattle most 

 favoured in my district are the Shorthorn and Ayrshire, or a cross 

 between these two breeds. 



The milk yield average for the past six months, grass fed, 

 one gallon per diem. ; hand fed, 1^ gallons per diem. No cases of 

 diseased udders found in cows. 



Although dairies are not in an insanitary condition, there is room 

 for much improvement in many respects. No cases of anthrax have 

 come under my notice during the past six months. 



Although stock are generally in good condition, the recent 

 sevei^e weather affected them detrimentally. Rugging milch cows 

 during the winter months must tend to their advantage. General 

 condition of country good, grass plentiful during the summer and 

 autumn months. There was a slight scarcity of water in some parts 

 during the autumn ; plentiful now, however. Crops — early sown 

 looking well. During a spell of dry weather in autumn many 

 farmers were unable to break up the land or sow as early as they 

 would have liked. Artificial grasses considered best are clover, rye, 

 and cocksfoot. 



Too early to forecast lambing average. 



Very little dipping practised in my district. 



Border Inspectors' Reports. 



Senior Constable Stutchberry, Inspector of Stock, Delegate, 

 reports : — Crops and grass good, fodder plentiful, stock in good con- 

 dition and healthy. 



Constable Considine, Inspector of Stock, Jingellic, reports a 

 similar state of affairs, old residents in that locality aveiTing this 

 past season to have been a record one. 



