lo Feb., 1909.] Answers to Correspondents. 127 



Conclusion. 



In conclusion, readers are reminded that poultry keeping should prove 

 ;i valuable industry, and that there is every chance of success when it is 

 combined with all or any of the industries enumerated elsewhere. There 

 i? practically an unlimited market in Great Britain for eggs and poultry 

 and the prices are generally a good deal above the market values here. 

 The price paid bv exporters for turkeys, ducklings, and chickens is 6d. to 

 ■6|d. per lb. live weight, according to size. Victoria has a climate second 

 to none for poultry breeding and there is ample room for the extension and 

 development of poultry keeping on correct lines. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Department has been organized to a large extent for the purpose of giving- information 

 to farmers. Questions in e\ ery branch of agriculture are gladly answered. VV rite a short letter, giving as 

 full particulars as possible, of your local ■•onditioiis, and state precisely what it is that you want to know. 

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



Chemical Composition of Milk. — Curious asks whether heifers give the best 

 percentage of cream. 



Answer. — The quantity of milk varies according to age and is greatest at 

 third to fifth calving, but the chemical composition appears to remain unchanged 

 through life, except at great age when he fats diminish. 



Skimming Scalded Milk. — Amateur wishes to know how long scalded milk 

 set in milk dishes should remain before being skimmed. 



Answer. — 24 hours is ample. Scalding, by destroying Lactic Acid bacilli, 

 delays souring, but does not prevent other changes which take place in milk so 

 treated. 



BOT Flies. — H.J. states that his horses are worried with bot flies, although 

 he is applying kerosene and phenyle daily. He inquires re treatment and also 

 asks what are the symptoms when horses are affected internally. 



Ansiver. — (i) The kerosene treatment may be assisted by tying a piece of 

 ■cloth saturated in that substance under the jaw. Any method adopted depends 

 for its success upon a frequent repetition. (2) There are no symptoms shown when 

 an animal is affected. Occasionally, if the horse is in poor condition, intermittent 

 colic is induced from indigestion, but the bot itself is not res})onsible for this nor 

 does it cause death. In the natural course of the life history of the fly, the larvae 

 are passed away from the horse, and they may be assisted in the spring time of 

 year by a drench of Linseed oil i pint, oil of Turpentine i oz. 



Mammitis. — E.P. states that the udders of two of his heifers have become 

 hard and the teats are choked with some fibrous matter. The teats are also in- 

 flamed and swollen. 



Answer. — The condition of the heifers as described is " Mammitis." Hot 

 fomentations three times a day should be persevered with, and after each, with 

 plenty of gentle friction apply camphorated oil. In bad cases syringing out the 

 udder with antiseptics and the application of belladonna ointment are beneficial. 



Chronic Indigestion. — Quail Shot states that one cow in a herd of 

 twenty grazing on the same pasture is very subject to Hoven or Bloat. She is a 

 good milker and appears to be in good health. 



Answer. — This is apparently a case of chronic indigestion with resultant 

 flatulence in an animal more disposed to it than others. Try the effect of daily 

 administration of Bicarbonate of soda (Baking soda) in 2 oz. doses given in the 

 damped feed or as a drench in 2 pints of water. Regulate the amount of feed 

 as far as possible, especially that of a fermentable nature, such as lucerne, peas, 

 &c. 



Round Worms. — D.M. inquires re treatment for horse affected with small 

 red worms (about 5 an inch long). 



Answer. — The small round worms are sometimes very difficult to eradicate. 

 Put the horse on bran mash for 24 hours and then give i pint Linseed oil with 

 1 ounce oil of Turpentine as a drench. If evidence of worms still remains, try 

 the effect of injecting into the rectum ^ gallon of lukewarm water in which is dis- 

 solved 5 ounce of common salt. 



