ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Department has been org'anized to a large extent for the 

 purpose of giving information to farmers. Questions in every branch of agriculture 

 are gladly answered. Write a short letter, giving as full particulars as possible, of 

 your local conditions, and state precisely what it is that you want to know. All 

 inquiries must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. 



AscKRTAiNiNG PREGNANCY. — T.B. asks if there is any way of finding out whether a cow is 

 in calf. 



Answer. — In the great majority of instances it may be practically decided that a cow is in calf 

 if, after being bulled, she does not come in season again. External examination, and observation and 

 manipulation, are only useful in determining the point when pregnancy is somewhat advanced. In 

 the earlier stages an examination through the rectum, or end gut, is required, but unless done by an 

 experienced person there is considerable danger, and the decision as to tlie presence of a fceius in the 

 womb is not easily arrived at. 



Death of Calves.— Middle Creek writes : — "Kindly state the cause of death of some two 

 months' old calves which have recently died. The symptoms were bleeding at the nostrils, followed 

 by creamy, sticky discharge ; sunken eyes ; a dazed look when walking ; difficulty in breathing. 

 Death occurred about 24 hours after first symptoms observed. Po^st morttm examination showed all 

 organs healthy, save a slight inflammation behind the kidneys." 



Aifi^oer. — The disease is " JJ ackleg," a description, including prevention, of which was given 

 in the July, 1906, number of the Journal, which see. 



Scouring Calves.— H.J. P. inquires how to prevent (1) calves from scouring after they are 

 weaned, (2) white scour in calves ? 



Ansiver. — 1. The metliods to be adopted to prevent scouring will depend on the circumstances 

 giving rise to it, and without particulars as to probable causation a satisfactory reply cannot be 

 given. 2. White scour in calves is promoted by insanitary bedding and surroundings and contami- 

 nated food, and, except the causes in these respects are removed, treatment is of little avail. A good 

 anti- diarrhoea mixture, to be given with the milk, is equal parts of wood charcoal and prepared chalk. 

 Dose — A teaspojnful to a tablespoonful, according to age and size. 

 Pink Milk. — H.J. P. asks how to prevent pink milk in cows. 



Answer. — This condition may be overcome by two or three injections, at daily intervals, into 

 the teat duct of a lukewarm solution of boracic acid — 1 part in 20 of water, A proper teat syringe 

 should be used, and great care taken that the internal surface of the duct is not injured. 



Sterility OF Bull. — D.J.H. writes: — "Will you inform me how to make the bull — a 22 months 

 i'lfi pedigreed Jersey, take to the cows properly? The cows served by him come again in season. 

 The bull and cows are in good condition." 



Answer. — The bull complained of may be sterile, but this condition is not at all common 

 except temporarily, and it is likely that if he was lemoved fiom contact with the cows for three 

 months, and his condition lessened, the trouble would cease. 



Slipping Calves. — E.F. desires information relative to treatment of cows that have slipped 

 their calves. 



Answer. — The subject of abortion in cows was fully dealt with in the August, 1906, number of 

 the Journal, which see. 



LttVELLiNG. — A.C. asks for a practical and efficient method of le%'elling land (crabholey). 

 Ansicer. — So much depends upon the character of the land itself, and the uses to which it is 

 to be put, that a direct answer is impossible. Presuming that ordinary cultivation, ploughing and 

 harrowing with a log drag, is insufficient, the split log or beam smoother, the "Perkins " or Buck 

 scraper, or the plough and scoop will be needed. A description, with drawings, of the manufacture 

 and use of the smoothers and scrapers will be given in an early issue of the Journal. 



Robbing Box Hives. — H. F. T. writes—" Can you inform me how to rob bees that are in a 

 case without destroying the bees. I have not got the patent boxes for taking the honey ? " 

 Answer. — See article by Mr. R. Beuhne on page 105. 

 Japanese Millet. — New Chum asks whether the feeding of Japanese millet has a bad effect on 

 milk for cheesemaking purposes. 



Ajiswer.—l^o, not directly. The only way in which it may be said to indirectly affect the 

 quality of the milk is by making it a little harder to keep the cows clean— all forage crops make the 

 dung soft and semi-fluid, and hence there is more danger of particles of it getting into the milk. 

 Gassy milk is generally due to this cause. Strict attention should be paid to the cleansing of the 

 cows' udders and the milkers' hands. 



Irrigating Orchard.— Embryo Farmer has an orchard of 2^ acres (Gembrook) which he 

 desires to irrigate. There is a creek about 9 chains away, and some 30 feet below the orchard. He 

 says wind power means extensive storage, steam power is too costly, whilst hydraulic rams or water 

 wheels are out of the question as the stream is too small. 



Answer. — The area to be irrigated is so small, and the requirements in such a locality so incon- 

 siderable, that any ordinary water-lifting machinery would not be economical. Failing the windmill 

 or ram, a horse-works— if the ground permits -and a three-throw pump might be installed. With 

 an economical system of distribution, pipes and flumes, a discharge of 1,000 gallons per hour, well 

 within the power of one horse, should be amply sufficient for all purposes. 



Navel Rupture.— E.B writes:— "I have a two-year-old filly with a navel rupture large 

 enough to fill a small sized cup. It began to show a few weeks after birth." 



Answer.— A.-D. operation, which it is risky to perform without previous experience, will be 

 necessary for the prompt reduction of the rupture, but most oftfn navel ruptures subside naturally 

 with age. 



