ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS— ct^^^^i^mer/. 



Scabs 0« iORSE. — Radaman states that a horse of his, probably 14 years old, has an. 

 nfTection of the anus. All around the opening there are scabs which easih- peel off. The horse' 

 has been in this condition for at least three years, but otherwise is in good health. 



Answer. — The condition might be alleviated somewhat by the application of an emollient 

 ointment, such as zinc ointment, once a day or, as required. 



Swollen Udder. — H. W. states that he has a cow whose udder has been swollen since 

 calving, and from two of the teats only a little thick matter can be obtained. He has followed 

 tlie advice given to "Inquirer" in October Journal, and the swelling is now going down. He 

 wants to know whether there is any chance of saving the bad teats. 



Answer. — The milking function may be restored on the subsidence of the inflammation. 



Grant to Agricultural Societies. — B. G. asks the following question, viz. : — " If an 

 agricultural society holds a parade of horses, which is attended by the DepartmentaL Veterinary 

 Officer, and later on does not renuire veterinary inspection in the show ring, how will the societ\' 

 stand with reference to the grant if a horse, which has been disqualified elsewhere, is awarded 

 first prize and champion?" 



Answer. — In such a case the grant will be ivithheld unless the three conditions (other than, 

 the veterinary examination at shows) are complied with by the society. 



Butter-fat Contents. — B. G. wishes to know whether payment for milk and cream on 

 the basis of butter-fat contents is fixed by Act. He saw his cream churned at the factory, 

 and although 100 lbs. of butter was the result, he was paifl for 80 lbs. only, and was told that 

 the former was the commercial butter, the difference being the overrun. 



Answer. — Yes ; in the Milk and Dairy Supervision Act. It is by far the fairest basis 

 for payment, and there is less likelihood of fraud than when payment is for commercial 

 butter. Of course, the price per lb. of butter-fat is always higher than for commercial butter.' 

 The overrun should be about 17 per cent, on the average. 



Flies Attacking Horses' Eyes. — Radaman asks for an effective preventive against flies 

 attacking horses' eyes. He states that on hot muggy days a young mare of his very quickly 

 gets the eyelids swollen and sore with this pest. 



Answer. — A little fish oil smeared lightly on the forehead above the eyelids will deter 

 the attacks of flies. 



Preserving Insects. — Orchardist wants to know whether there are any books containing 

 instructions how to procure and mount insects. He is anxious to mount specimens of the 

 Virions pests so as to be able to easilv identify them. Also inquires re treatment of the Potato 

 Moth. 



Ansiver. — Gillies' First Studies of Insect Life in Australia, price is. 3d., contains a 

 I 'lapter .on the subject, written by Mr. C. French, junior, Assistant Government Entomolog'st. 

 Shouf^-^' Orchardist " call at the office of the Entomologist, Crown Law Offices, Lonsdale-street, 

 any 'additional information required will be supplied. An article dealing with the Potato Moth 

 appeared in the Journal for October, iqo6. 



Peas for Pigs. — J. T. S. a^ks ■ what quantity of peas should' he expect off an acre, and 

 how many pigs could be fed with the produce. 



Answer. — From g to 10 bags if land suitable. That quantity ought to fatten about six 

 pigs to, 130 lbs. each. Be sure and give them dry to the pigs, and provide plenty of water 

 in a separate trough. 



Cool Chamber. — A.T.H. asks if double walls filled in with sawdust will be cooler 

 than malthoid for a small chamber in connexion with a separator room. 



Answer. — Machine shavings give a better result than sawdust or ordinary shavings mixed 

 with the sawdust, and would be preferable to malthoid. The roof should also be double, 

 allowing free circulation of air, and might be painted with Arabic or Washington Limewash. 



Artesian Bore. — R.W. asks what to do with an artesian bore in which the casing, 

 g ilvanized iron, has been eaten away near the surface. He fears that it will fall in. 



Answer. — The depth, 108 feet, is not great enough to preclude sinking a timbered shaft; 

 o'lierwise, wooden pipes appear to be the only resource. They might be made locally or^ 

 imported from America; the cost of imported wooden pipes is about the same as steel 

 casing. It is not clear, however, that the fears of collapse are justified. The corrosion 

 near the top is due to escaping organic compounds as the pressure is relieved nearing the 

 surface, and it does not follow that the casing below is unsound. 



Silage for Breeding Ewes. — J. A. asks — (i) Is silage a suitable food for breeding 

 ewes, and (\o thev eat it readily ; (2) is the Government offer to construct silos on time 

 payment still open ; and (3) would two 60-ton silos be better than one loo-ton one. 



Answer. — (i) Silage, if properly made, is highly suitable for breeding ewes, indeed, for 

 any milk-producing animal, and they become very fond of it. (2) Applications have already 

 been received covering the total amount of money voted by Parliament for the purpose : but 

 any further application would probably receive favorable consideration if it had special 

 merits. (3) The size of silo most suitable depends upon the number of animals to be fed. At 

 a general proposition, the smaller the diameter in proportion to the number of animals the 

 better to avoid waste in getting the silage for feed. Write for further advice giving full 

 particulars of your case. 



Destroying Grass-tree. — T. P. M. inquires what is the best method of destroying p-rass- 

 tree. 



Answer. — In general, it can be said that ploughing, drainage, cultivation, and stirring 

 if the soil will effectually suppress the grass-tree (Xanthorrhea). Seed, undoubtedly, may lie 

 'iirmant in the soil for more than a year, but h')w long is not known, so that it would be 

 mistake to lay down a pasture immediately after the first clearing. If sufficient strength 

 ■ available the use of the disc plough is possible with cutting down only of the grass-tree, 

 ith other implements, it will be necessary to grub it at a considerable expenditure if it £ 

 growing at all thickly. Continuous cultivation for some years is essential to its thorough j' 

 : idication. ....- z ~ 



