lo Aug., 1909.] Answers to Cprrcspoiidcf/ts. 543 



Peas for Pigs. — P.H.L. asks which is the most profitable variety of peas to 

 rsow for harvesting as pig feed. 



Answer. — The Dun pea, which can be phmted at once, is recommended for 

 pig feed. They should be stacked, not threshed, and fed to the jjigs in the straw. 



Sowing Lucerne. — D.W. inquires whether lucerne can be drilled with the 

 ordinary seed drill. 



Ans7Cier. — Lucerne can be drilled with an ordinary grain drill, if mixe<? with 

 manure or earth and sown through the manure box. It is advisable to stop every 

 alternate feed and sow about 14 inches apart. 



Solids in Milk. — X. asks how much dry matter is contained in skim milk and 

 butter milk. 



Ansioer. — The approximate quanlit\- of solids (protein, carbo-hydrates, ash, 

 ■<kc.), j)er 100 lbs. is as follows : — 



Separator Skim Milk. Butter Milk. 



Protein ... ... ... 3.55 lbs. ... 3.60 lbs. 



Carbo-hydrates ... ... 5.35 ,, ... 4.50 ,, 



Ash, cVc. ... ... ... 0.80 ,, ... 1.30 ,, 



Tot il solids ... ... 9.70 lbs. ... 9.40 lbs. 



Poultry Breeding .and Feeding. — F.E.E. makes various inquiries relative to 

 poultry breeding and feeding. 



Answer. — i. Breed from mature hens, second or third year, with vigorous 

 cockerel, nine to twelve months old. 



2. The best time to hatch for the market is in June, July, and August, to 

 ■catch the Melbourne Cup, November, and December markets. 



3. The time to hatch for winter layers is July, August, and September. 



4. Condiments are not recommended for laying fowls. Feed 2 parts pollard 

 and I part bran ; add i oz. of meat scrap or dry blood for each bird to the daily 

 ration, also a 15th part of lucerne chaffed finely. Mix thoroughly with hot water 

 •or soup until crumbly and feed about 2^ ozs. to each bird daily. At night give 

 iibout 1 2 ozs. of equal parts maize and short oats or wheat. 



5. Brown shelled eggs realize higher prices in London than do white shelled 

 ■eggs. Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks lay the largest brown eggs. 



Separ.ated Milk for Poultry. — E.G. asks whether separated milk is good 

 for poultry, and how it should be fed. Her practice is to allow some to stand 

 imtil it thickens ; it is then placed in a fire and when it curdles the whey is poured 

 off. 



Answer. — Milk curd, but not in excess, may with advantage, be given to lay- 

 ing hens and pullets. It should be mixed in the hot mash with the pollard, bran, 

 ■meat, &c. Avoid stickiness ; mix it so that it will be friable. Sweet skim milk 

 is much more beneficial than curds for young chicks. Avoid giving any sour food 

 to young chicks. 



Pumpkin Pips affect Poultry. — J.M. states that every year he grows a large 

 •quantit)- of pumpkins which are cut up and placed in small heaps for the cows. 

 Afterwards the turkeys and fowls pick up the seed, with the result that their heads 

 •get very red, and they are unable to walk. 



Answer. — An excess of any vegetable matter will usually aftect laying 

 hens. Pumpkin pips are a most unsuit;ible food for egg production. If fed, 

 Ihev should be always ground up and mixed with other ingredients, such as barley 

 meal, maize meal, pollard, and a little animal food. 



Best Straw for Thatching. — J.B. asks which is the best straw to grow for 

 thatching. 



Anszuer. — Rye. 



Waterproofing of Tarpaulins. — W.G. requests information concerning the 

 waterproofing of hay covers. 



Answer. — The practice in connexion with the waterproofing of tarpaulins used 

 •on the Victorian Railways is as follows : — 



Water-proofing. — The dressing consists of double boiled and raw linseed 

 •oil, in equal parts, mixed with vegetable black, in the proportion of 9 lbs. to 

 40 gallons. The covers are dipped in a bath of this li(|uid, then rolled out and 

 dried and again passed through the bath. 



Drying. — The covers are hung at a distance of not less than six inches from 

 •each other. The time required for drying between the coats, and before the 

 issue of the tari)aulins to traffic must be determined by examination, as the com- 

 position will i\x\ much more quickly in hot weallier than in a cold or damp 

 .atmosphere. 



