ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS-co«^».««/. 



Fattexixg La.mbs. — F.T. asks (i) Is it advisable when topping of! in rape to take tlie- 

 lambs from their mothers? (2) Would you advise keeping the lambs in the rape paddock ilie 

 v^hole lime.-' 



Ausiver. — (i) If the ewes are giving milk, let the lambs lemain witii them. This is how 

 best quality is produced when correct shape and breeds e.-cist. {2) No. In v.et and showery 

 weather, grass or somewhere dry to camp on should be left or provided. They will pick ;it 

 good oaten straw stack, 01 especially pea straw, as a counteractant to the sloppiness of the rapt . 

 Ordinary rough grass assists- very much in checking scouring in damp weather. 



Protruding Rectum. — A.D. writes, re his pigs, and states (i) that in a litter the rectum 

 has protruded in two instances ; one animal has died, but the other is quite lively, although 

 there are spots of blood coming -away occasionally. (2) That a sow which was within two or 

 three weeks of farrowing vvas found one morning with one pig only. Previously she had ii 

 of a litter. He asks whether she wiJl be liable to miscarry again? 



Answer. — (i) The jiiotruded rectum can be replaced, and the pig starved for two or tlin-t 

 days if the condition is not a very serious one; but if several inches of bowel are ejecttd 

 the only satisfactory method is surgical removal. (2) Give the sow another chance before 

 deciding to fatten her off. 



Contagious Abortion. — B.D. asks if there is any danger of his cows being affected by 

 cows on adjoining farms that are very bad with abortion? He states that the latter were turnei] 

 out in the bush last winter, and on coming in were in a very low condition. 



Answer. — Yes, undoubtedly. Keep the cows right away from aborting herds and affected 

 bulls. If once it breaks out all the cows must be treated by injections as explained in the 

 August, 1906, issue of the Journal. The low condition would probably exert a predisposing 

 influence, but not an exciting one. 



Lump on Uhder. — E.M.H. writes : " I have a young cow with a hard round ball on the 

 front of her udder. It has been there for the past three years, does not affect the flow from 

 that part, or seem painful or tender. About a fortnight ago she caught cold in the same 

 portion of the udder. I at once fomented and rubbed the part, and although the pain and 

 most of the hardness and swelling have gone, the ball seems larger and feels like hard swollen 

 muscle. Is it safe to use the milk? Since she caught cold I have not used it, although, 

 she seems strong and healthy, and the milk very rich.'" 



Answer. — Such lumps in the udder are always suspicious of tubeiculosis. An exami- 

 nation to distinguish between this and a simple hardening, due to inflammation, is necessary. 



Capped Eubo\v. — L.K.N, writes: "A vear ago a colt of mine developed a lump, about 

 the size of a hen's egg, on the point of the elbow. He was broken in about January last, and 

 is used for light saddle work. Occasionally when ridden the lump would make a clicking 

 sound. A fortnight ago it became very much enlarged, and the animal is now lame. There 

 has not been anv discharge." 



Answer. — This is a " Capped elbow." An operation will be necessary to remove the- 

 tumour, but, if this is impossible for yoti to arrange, painting the part every other day with 

 tincture of iodine may reduce the swelling. 



LOCK-J.AW. — Stawell states that some time ago a mare of his went lame in the hind leg, 

 and has just died. The lameness continued for five weeks, and then she appeared a bit stiff 

 in one of the forelegs, and four ■ or five days before death the stiffness affected all legs, 

 although she stoo 1 uj) until the last, and used to eat her food fairly well 



Ansiuer. — 'I'he symptoms suggest tetanus or. lock-jaw. 



Dying Ducks. — A.B. writes: "T have a lot of Indian Runner ducks, and some of them 

 are dying. They go lame in one foot, sit in water anywhere,, gradually become mo]>ish, 

 and go -nto a fit or cramp and die. (i) What is the cause? (2) What is the proper food 

 for laying ducks? Whilst sick they should be allowed free access to water?" 



Answer. — (i) They are inbred and lack st.imina ; leg v^eakness is one of the first 

 symptoms. Whilst in the condition mentioned give ^ .grain quinine (in pill form) twice 

 daily, give skim rnilk instead of water for four days, avoid wheat and oats and provide only 

 soft fo6d ; house at night on dry litter. Reading of article on "Ducks for Profit," page 371, 

 July, 1905, Journal, is advi-.ed. (2) Particulars are given in article quoted. (3) No. 



Clearing Water in Dam. — F.N. asks what is the best method of clearing water in x 

 large dam. 



Answer. — Use i lb. of ordinary alum, dissolved in i gallon of water, to every 600 

 gallons of water in the dam. Pour the solution of alum around the edge of the dam, and 

 then mix the water by drawing a pole through it. 



DOOKIE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



The College offe7\s every facility to .student.s to become competent agriculturists, vigneron.'s^ 

 and, claiiymen. The Mork is carrierl out on a large commercial scale, the ploughing, drilling,, 

 manuring. har\estine, threshing, and shearing being done by students under competent instructors. 

 Over 2,000 sheeji and landjs, loO head cattle, 50 hoises, including stallion, are on the farm. 



Fees — t'2S ."i^ per annum. 



LONGERENONG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



One aim of this institution is to fill in the gap between the State School and Uookie, i.e., to 

 take students between the ages of fouiteen and sixteen years. 



The farm contains an area of 2, .386 acres, and is admirably adapted for demonstrating what 

 can be done in farming with irrigation. There is a large area of the farrri under cultivation, and 

 the orchard and vineyard cover an area of 80 acres. 



Fees — Resident, £18 5s. per annum ; Non-resident, £5 per annum. 



Applications to attend either of the above Colleges should be forwarded to the Secretary ot 

 the Council of Agricultural Education, Public Offices, Melbourne. Copy of Prosfiectus of either 

 College will be posted on receipt of post-card. The new session begins lOfch September, 1907. 



