8o8 Journal of A-griculture. [ioDec, 1909. 



Inflammation of AVomb. — VV.H.N. states that a inare of his foaled all right, but 

 has since lost a lot of blood, and also gone stift' in the front legs as though slie had 

 been foundered through eating wheat. She stands aliout, Imt will nut eat, anfl looks 

 very dull. 



AuAii'tr. — The mare is suffering from inflammation of the womb, and the fc^undered 

 condition of the front feet is a common complication. The M'omh should l)e flooded 

 out twice daily with two gallons of a lukewarm 2 per cent, solution of lysol, anddui-ing 

 the warmer part of the day the mare should be made to stand in a shallow dam or 

 creek to relieve the congested condition of the feet. The hind feet should be lower 

 down than the fore ones in order to relieve the latter of a proportion of the body 

 weight, (xive in the drinking water, twice daily, 2 oz. of hypo-sulphite of soda. 

 Exercise the mare at walking pace for half -an -hour after standing in the dam. 



Misshapen Eggs. — P.C.R. desires to know cause of fowls laying misshapen eggs. 



Answer. — The primary trouble is ulceration of the oviduct, followed by a dilated 

 spot in the egg passage, which affects the evenness of the egg. It is not uncommon 

 amongst our non-sitting breeds. Pallets that have been undul3f forced by stimulating 

 food, condiments and excessive meat diet are likely \ictims to the disorder. Low 

 diet, with plenty of vegetabh^js is recommended. A\oid meat for a time, and do not 

 feed any maize. As this complaint is an hereditary one, breeding from birds affected 

 with ovarium troubles should be avoided. 



Colour of Mm in Dam. — St. Arnaiid asks how it is that the mud in the bottom 

 of a dam sunk in red ground, the catchment of which is also red soil, is usually 

 black. 



Au-'iwer. — -It is due to the amount of organic matter w.ished down from the 

 catchment, which undergoes decay after being a short time in the water. Decayed 

 organic matter always is of a dark colour, and it has also the property of changing all 

 kinds of soil to more or less of a definite black tint. 



Relative Values of Lime and Gypsum. — J. M. inquires as to the relative values of 

 lime and gj'psum as soil sweeteners on light sandy land. 



AiiSiver. — Botli lime and gypsum have considerable value u})on light sandy soils^ 

 Sandy soils, as a rule, do not require sweetening. Oypsum has a value of about one- 

 third that of lime as a plant feeder, but it has other attributes which give it an added 

 value. If you can procure gypsum locally, its use rather than that of lime, is recom- 

 mended. If the soil is stiff clay and inclined to be sour, then use lime in preference. 



Injury to Fruit Trees by' Rabbits. — W.B. asks how to prevent rabV)its and 

 hares injuring young fruit trees. He wishes to know how to ))repare mixture for 

 l)ainting the trees. 



Avswer. — Any j)reparation painted or smeared on young trees to prevent rabbits 

 and hares gnawing the bark is only efficacious for a limited time. The better system 

 is to securely wire-net the orchard so as to keep these animals out. Lime is generally 

 the basis of " tree smears." Lime and sulphur, in the proportion of 1 lb. lime to 4 ozs. 

 sulphur, boiled together, and mixed to the consistency of [)aint, is a good smear to use. 

 A paint made of lime and fresh blood, or lime and rancid fat, is also good. In tViese- 

 ca^es the lime need not 1)6 boiled. A lime spray or wash does not injure the tree in 

 in any way. 



Stocks for Apples and Cherries. — Dongaster asks (I) whether apple seedlings 

 raised from Northern! Spy apple pips are reconnnended. (2) Which is the best stock 

 for cherries. 



Anxiner. — (1) Seedlings from any variety of apple show consideral)le variation 

 from the parent, and rarely possess any of the parental characteristics. Hence, 

 seedlings from the Northern Sfiy apple cannot bei-eliedon to be at all blight resistant. 

 It is not advisable, under any circumstances, to use such seedlings as stock. (2) The 

 usual and most successful stock foi- cherries is a cherry generally known as the 

 " Kentish." The fruit is small, bright red in colour, juicy, and possessing an acid 

 flavour. It ripens towards the middle or end of December. 



" Doncaster " is reminded that the name and address of the iniiuirer should 

 accompany each request for information. 



Irrigating Potatoes. — C.C. states that if he plants late potatoes he must irrigate*^ 

 He desires information as to right method, and also as to best manure. 



AtiKicer. — (1) Do not flood the land; run the water slowly midway between the 

 <lrills, allowing it to soak away under the surface to the roots of the plants. (2) Apph' 

 bonedust and superphosphate in equal jmrts, from 2 cwt. to 4 cwt. per acre ; if the 

 .soil is deficient in potash, add 1 cwt. sulphate of potash to the above mixture. 



