'844 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ii Dec. 191 i. 



In seeking some explanation for this comi)laint, existing as it does ro 

 a rather unusual extent on practically one property, there is unfortunately 

 very little data to work upon. The prevalence of four distinct cases 

 naturally suggests some common cause. This is by no means easy to 

 determine. 



In the first place, cataract is more commonly met with in old animals. 

 Age may therefore have had some influence in cases Nos. 2, 3, and 4, 

 which are 14, 12, and 15 years old respectively. On the other hand, 

 No. 5 is only 4 years old, an unusual age for cataract to appear. Again, 

 Nos. 3 and 4 are full sisters, which suggests the possibility of hereditary 

 influence, and, though No. 5 is not related to the other two, its com- 

 paratively early appearance gives some support to the theory of hereditary 

 causation. As neither of these predisposing influences satisfactorily 

 •explains its existence, something mere in the nature of an exciting or 

 immediate cause must be looked for. 



In this direction, particularly little has been learnt. Inspection 

 ■of the pasture failed to yield anything in the nature of harmful plants. 

 e.g., " Wild Tobacco" or " Paddy Melon." which have been known to 

 •cause blindness, and in any case such blindness is due to the nerve and 

 not the lens of the eye being affected as in cataract. 



Inquiries from the owner and others as to pre\"iously existing in- 

 flammatory conditions of the eyes, e.g., ophthalmia, which plays an 

 important part in the production of cataract, resulted in the assertion that 

 nothing of this kind has been observed. In spite of this, however, after 

 a due consideration of all the possible causes, I am inclined to the 

 opinion that it is quite possible these horses did suffer from some in- 

 flammatory condition in the interior of the eyes previously, which may have 

 passed away unnoticed because the owners were not familiar with such 

 conditions and also because the mares were mostly running out in the 

 paddocks. 



It was quite useless attempting any treatment as, so far as animals are 

 concerned, these conditions are practically incurable. 



Both the owners and myself have become extremely interested in these 

 cases, and I am hopeful of being afforded opportunities for observing 

 their progress, with a view to reporting more fully on the matter. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDEN^TS. 



The Staff of the Depirtnient has been org-anized to a large extent for tlie inirpose of griving information 

 to fanners. Question* Iti every branch of agriculture are gladly answered. Write a short letter, giving as 

 fnl' p 1 lii'iilars as possible, of your local con litions, and state precisely what it is that you want to know. 

 All inqiUriet! farwarded to the Kditor viust be accoiiipank'd Ij>i the name ani address of the loriter. 

 Tills Is very necessary, as sometimes insutticient information is furnished by tlie inquirer. 



Sulla Clover. — J.W.S. assumes, from the analyses published in the Decem- 

 ber, 1910, Journal, that Sulla Clover would be valuable as a green manure, &c., 

 for stock food. He proposes to plant some on a portion of his farm where the 

 worn-out sandy soil wants improving, sowing from i to 2 cwt. of bonedust and 

 superphosphate with the seed. 



Answer. — Sulla Clover is valuable as either green manure or as fodder. Sulla 

 Clover does best in soils containing plenty of lime, and a dressinp of lime would 

 probably be wise, in addition to the bonedust and superphosphate proposed. 



New Zealand Black Oats.— W.H.T. inquires re New Zealand black oats. 



Answer. — New Zealand black oats are heavy yielders in suitable soils and 

 ■climates. They require a good rainfall and are useful for fodder and gram, 

 yielding up to 100 bushels per acre. They are sown in early winter and ripen about 

 the middle of December in cool districts. They thrive best in a rich sandy loam. 



