ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Mange on Horse. — T.G. asks what is the best treatment for mange with which he 

 thinks his horse is affected. He states that tlie hair on the liead, neck, and shoulders is fall- 

 ing off in small patches. 



Answer. — As skin diseases in horses are very numerous, it is quite possible that the 

 diagnosis of its being mange may be incorrect, nevertheless the following remedy should be 

 tried : — Wash thoroughly tlie affected parts with a lather of soap and tepid water, after which 

 tepid water by itself to remove all the soap. Then apply the following mixture to the parts : 

 — Benzine, 3 parts; oil of cade, i part; coal tar, i part; soft soap, i part; oil of turpentine, 



1 part. Dress the parts regularly every morning. Grooming utensils, &c., should be boiled; 

 •harness to be plunged into a solution of creolin. 



Death of Calf. — E.P.B. inquires as to cause of death of a three months' old bull calf 

 belonging to him. The calf was in good health until within three days of death. A fost- 

 viortem examination was held, and it was found that the bowels had telescoped in three 

 places, each part being about 8 inches in length. 



Answer. — The cause was the intersusception or telescoping bringing on inflammation. 



Calves Sucking one another. — W.G.R. asks how to prevent calves sucking one another 

 after feeding them on separated milk. 



Answer. — Smear the parts with a strong solution of aloes. If this is not successful, 

 try attaching circular pieces of leather to the nostril. If calves are fed in a set of bails such 

 as those illustrated in last month's Journal, and kept in the bail for some time afterwards, 

 tlie pernicious effects of the habit will be avoided. Another good plan is to always have a 

 rack of sweet hay within reach to which the calves will turn and chew at, instead of each 

 other's ears or tassels. 



Lockjaw. — W.C.K. writes: — "A fortnight ago I docked the tail of a five months' old 

 filly foal. All went well for a week, when I noticed something wrong with its eyes. When 

 'the foal raises her head the eyes seem to draw back and she becomes blind, showing white 

 flesh in front of the eyes; otherwise she seems quite healthy and feeds with her mother. 

 The tail has healed." 



Answer. — The condition is tetanus or lockjaw which often follows docking. Treatment 

 is of little avail, and no doubt the foal is dead ere now. 



Dyspepsia in Cow. — W.G. inquires whether there is any cure for indigestion and dyspep- 

 sia in cows. Also asks whether the horse has a gall bladder. 



Answer. — (i) Give a dose of laxative medicine : — Epsom salts, i lb. ; ginger, 2 oz. ; 

 treacle, i lb. ; tepid water, i quart ; and then mix daily with the feed a powder made up 

 of Epsom salts, 2 oz. ; sulphur, 2 oz. ; bicarbonate of soda, i oz. ; and caraway seed, ^ oz. 

 (2) No. 



Cripples. — J.L.P. writes: — "Can you tell me the cause of my cows dying? They lose 

 the use of their tongue, stop chewing the cud, and are always lying down, not caring to 

 eat or drink. They get a sort of paralysis in the front quarters, but do not appear to be in 

 pain. Death occurs about a week after they get bad." 



Ansiaer. — The condition is one form of "Cripples" or " Winton Disease." See Journal 

 for October, 1906. 



Swollen Hocks. — Ringwood furnishes sketch and asks what has affected the hocks of 

 his filly's hind legs. After a run the filly showed signs of stiffness ; the next day she was 

 swollen and lame and has been since, but the back swelling has gone down a little, and the 

 lameness seems to go off after a little exercise. 



Answer. — The synovial or joint oil sacs seem to be inflamed and distended, and a con- 

 sultation with a qualified veterinary surgeon is advised. 



Non-service by Bull. — Ringwood writes : — " Please state what is the trouble with my 

 tuU, 4 years old, and well grown. He is apparently healthy, but will not serve the cows 

 this season. He served 30 cows last season, and his stock has turned out well." 



Answer. — Give the bull a spell, and should he be in poor condition, a nutritious diet 

 should be given, although, on the other hand, " too much condition " is harmful. The 

 following remedy in the form of a drench should be beneficial : — Tincture of nux vomica, 

 5 oz. ; tincture of iron perchloride, 3 oz. ; tincture of gentian, 22 oz. ; water to make a pint. 

 Two wineglassfuls to be given twice a day in about a pint and a half of water to which has 

 been added 5 lb. of treacle. 



Gypsum. — F.H.E. states that there are large supplies of " copi " (gypsum) in his dis- 

 trict, and he understands that this material is used in the manufacture of superphosphate. If 

 this is correct he wants to know whether he could make superphosphate for his own use. 



Answer. — Gypsum or " copi," not being a phosphatic deposit, is of no value in the 

 manufacture of superphosphate. 



Mixing Manures. — Inquirer wishes to know whether "Blood Fertilizer" will mix advan- 

 tageously with Thomas' Phosphate. 



Answer. — Not advisable to mix as a considerable loss of nitrogen as ammonia takes 

 place. 



Sowing Gr.\ss Paddock. — T.F. (Penshurst) writes: — ^" This year I intend laying down 

 a paddock with English grasses. As the land is of a stony nature and the soil volcanic it 

 is too rough to plough, so would like to know whether dragging a heavy harrow over it would 

 be sufficient. What are the most suitable grasses for the land? In what proportion would 

 you sow the following grasses, viz. : — Cocksfoot, cow grass, white clover, rye grass? The grass 

 gets very dry in the summer." 



Answer. — Harrowing would only be a partial substitute for ploughing. A fair propor- 

 tion would be : — Rye grass, 20 lbs. ; cocksfoot, 15 lbs. ; cow grass clover, 2 lbs. ; white clover, 



2 lbs. per acre. 



Lucerne Growing. — J.S.T.M. asks what is the best time to sow lucerne, „nd whether 

 manure should be used. 



Answer. — Lucerne sliould be sown after the first winter's rain in March or April at the 

 rate of 10 to 12 lbs. per acre of Hunter River seed. It would be preferable to sow i cwt. 

 of superphosphate with the seed. The seed and manure may be mixed and sown either 



