lo May, 19 1 o.] A//s:ccrs to C orrcspondcnts. 351 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Stomach Worms. — A.C.E. states that two of his draught mares (with foals 

 at foot) are suHering from worms. He asks for a good remedy, and also whether 

 the foals, nearly four months old, are too young to vvean. The mards are in 



low condition. 



Answer. — (i) Give night and morning in a damp feed the following powder : 

 ■ — Sulptiate of iron i dram, sulphate of copper 5 dram, gentian 2 drams; continue 

 for a week, then give a couple of bran mashes followed in the morning by a 

 drench of linseed oil (raw) i pint, oil of turpentine 5 ounce. (2) They are too 

 young to wean. 



Impaction. — J.U.H. writes : — " Four of my weaners have died within the 

 last ten days. On ■post-mortem e.xamination, I found the stomach of the last full 

 of dry grass, and the large intestine contained a quantity of large hard lumps 

 of dry substance that the sheep had been unable to pass. The other organs 

 seemed healthy. The sheep are in fair condition, and have plenty of dry grass 

 and good water." 



Answer. — The weaners evidently died from impaction of the colon or larger 

 intestine, due to the indigestible nature of the food. To prevent it, either some 

 succulent fodder such as silage, maize, or lucerne should be given, or if these 

 are not available, then a little lucerne hay or bran and chaff twice daily. As 

 treatment, a drench composed of 2 to 4 ozs. of Epsom salts with i oz. sulphur 

 and 5 oz. ginger should be given. From the commencemeni of summer a liberal supply 

 of salt shoul<l be available. 



Delaved Parturition. — H.P. states that a sow of his has just farrowed her 

 tirst litter. Two were farrowed on the Saturday and five on the following Tues- 

 day, the latter being dead. 



Answer. — Delayed parturition may be due to a variety of causes, but to no 

 specific Cause. 



Shropshire-Merino Cross. — P.H. states that he has a small flock of plain- 

 bodied merino ewes, and that a good Shropshire ram is running with them. He 

 wishes to know whether it would be advi-.able for the ram to run with his own 

 lambs next season. 



Answer. — Yes, provided you are exceptionally careful to keep all weak- 

 framed and itiferior woolled ones away from him; this practice should not, however, 

 be generally followed. Shropshire and merino rarely cross well, especially from a 

 wfiol point of view. As a rule, at most onlv 50 to 60 per cent, of the ewe lambs will 

 be found safe to go to him. 



Death of Pine Trees. — M.McC. inquires as to cause of death of some large 

 pine trees near his residence. 



Answer. — The pines have probably reached the limit of their age. They 

 live from 20 to 60 years, according to locality and situation. You might thin 

 out occasional limbs, especially any that are going off. If the trees are in a 

 particularly dry situation, soaking the subsoil would be of material benefit. 



~Iangolds. — H.P. intends putting in an acre crop of mangolds in virgin 

 land. He requests information concerning variety and cultivation. 



Answer. — Long red or yellow globe is recommended. Plant in August 

 for early crop and for a succession in September and October. The seed should 

 be drilled in very thinly, keeping the rows from 15 to 18 inches apart. 



Pl.xnting "orchard. — (i) H.P. (Drouin district) asks for instructions as to 

 preparation of land at present in its natural state. He also asks for best varieties 

 of apples. (2) P.E. (Caniambo district) desires names of best varieties of apples, 

 pears, and early peaches and cherries. (3) O.C. (Yarragon district) asks for a 

 selection of apples, pears, and peaches, mostly for home use. 



Answer. — (i) Clear all stumps and roots out of ground and thoroughly subsoil 

 before planting. Plant the trees either 18 or 20 feet apart each way. For export, 

 Jonathan is the best apple to grow. For home use, Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Five 

 Crown, E'mperor Alexander, Bismarck, and Yates are good. 



(2) If a commercial orchard is being planted but few varieties of each fruit .should 

 be grown. A fair variety is required if the fruit is for home consumption. The following 

 are recommended : — Apfles — Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Munroe's Favourite. Pears — 

 William's Bon Chretien, Broompark, Beurre de Capiaumont. Teaches — Brigg's 

 Red Mav. Cherries— ^:^x\y Purple Guigne, Bedford Prolific, St. Margaret's. 



(3) Apples — Jonathan, Rome Beautv, Rokewood, Prince Alfred, Bismarck. Pears 

 — Vicar of Winkfield, William's Bon Chretien, Winter Cole. Peaches — Brigg's 

 Red May, Hale's Early, Lord Palmerston. The trees should be of the first 

 season's working, voung 'trees being preferred to old. The pears should be planted 

 in the moist soil. 



