Report of the Chief Inspector of Stock. 871 



feed and lambing percentage high. Maggot-% has caused a lot o£ 

 trouble to some flockowners this season. 



Inspector Wood, Serviceton, reports : — Grass plentiful, but 

 heavy rains required for water storage. Old cultivation lands over- 

 grown with noxious weeds. Ploughing delayed until late. Seed 

 drills and artificial manures in general use. Very few cattle kept ; 

 these^ save for a few cases of grass lumps, are healthy. A good type 

 of merino sheep is kept throughout this district. Lambing average 

 98 per cent. Foxes reported to be destroying lambs on lands 

 adjacent to the scrub. Dipping general. Dips in use : — Quibell's, 

 Little's, Cooper's, and the home made arsenical di])s. 



Constable Anlezarck, Apsley, reports : — Grass fair, stock healthy. 

 Owners assert that so much rain having fallen during the summer, 

 the grass is not as nutritious as in other years. 



Constable Moore, Dartmoor, reports : — Stock in good condition 

 and healthy. The cold wet weather has caused owners to dry their 

 milkers off early. Isolated cases of rickets reported. Sheep 

 principally kept, holdings being understocked. Merinos, crossbreds, 

 and comeback types generally kept, these thrive well in this district. 

 Class of country, principally limestone ridges, grassy fiats, large 

 heath, and on the red land, bracken fern. This latter is burnt off in . 

 the summer, and sheep are very fond of the succeeding young growth 

 of herbage. Breeds of cattle most favored are Shorthorn and Here- 

 ford, and a cross of these breeds with Aryshire. Poultry tick 

 unknown. No cases of pleuro-pneumonia have occurred. Anthrax 

 unknown. Little fodder grown for stock. Oats principal crop, 

 although where tried potatoes yield good results. Too early to form 

 estimate of lambing percentage. Dipping general. Cooper and 

 Quibell's most in demand. 



Constable Carter, Penola, reports : — Season good. Water 

 abundant. Hereford cattle have given place to Alderneys. No 

 wheat grown. Algerian oats, cut for hay yield to 2h tons per acre. 

 Other crops, mangels and potatoes. Sheep generally kept. Weaners 

 this season much affected by worms. Dipping general. Little's dip 

 most favored. Rabbits plentiful. 



Inspector A. C. McEachern, Strathdownie, reports : — Stock in 

 good health and condition. Dairying not followed. Breeds of cattle 

 most favored, Hereford or Shorthorn. Comeback sheep mostly kept. 

 Lambing percentage will not be high. No artificial grasses grown, 

 the soil being coiisidered too poor. Dipping general. Cooper's 

 powder dip being the favorite. 



Inspector .1. McEachern, Nelson, reports : — Season good, with 

 prospects of good clip and heavy percentage of lambs, the weather 

 being mild, the ewes strong, and grass plentiful. No cropping, 

 unless Algerian oats for hay for working horses, yield up to Ih tons 

 per acre. 



