TO Aug.. 1910.I A/iS7Li'rs to C orrcspouhuts. 547 



Ulcers ox Jaw of Sheep. — D.B. writes : — " Some of mv sheep are sufTering 

 from a complaint the sxmntoms of which are as follows : — A dry scab forms on the 

 lower jaw reaching from the front of the under lip to the wool on the throat. The 

 <Jry scab comes awav and leaves the lower jaw a mass of small ulcers which dis- 

 -charge a yellowish offensive matter. The sheep quickly' lose condition and in a 

 couple of instances they died. The body becomes very much tucked up, giving the 

 rslieep the appearance of a grevhound. The complaint lasts about five weeks." 



Anszvcr. — Smearing of the jaws of alTected sheep with zinc ointment is recom- 

 flu-nded. 



Foul Sheath. — S.F. asks how he should treat a stallion suffering from a foul 

 sheath. Also, the point of the penis is sore in the inside, cork-like matter sticking 

 on the end. 



Ansxucr. — Wash out sheath frei|uentl\- with warm water and soap to which a 

 little washing soda has been added. If the growth increases have stallion examined 

 by a veterinary surgeon as it may be of a malignant character. 



Affected Quarter. — D.AY. writes : — ''The milk from one teat of my cow is 

 bad ; sometimes it is like water and at other times like matter. Will the milk in 

 tiu- other teat be affected?'' 



Aftswer. — The cow is suffering from inflammation of the lining membrane of 

 the milk ducts and will most likely lose the use of that quarter. The milk of the 

 other quarters will not be affected except by contamination by matter from the 

 affected part. Milk out bad quarter occasionally after other milking has been done 

 and destroy the matter yielded. 



Non-Pregnancv. — S.J. states that a young Jersey heifer of his dropped her 

 first calf last November and was served again in March but has come in season 

 regularly since. When the latter occurs there is a slight bloody discharge from 

 the vagina. 



AnS7aer. — The heifer is probably suffering from some obstruction in the uterine 

 passage, and it would be advisable to have her examined by a veterinary surgeon. 

 Do not use the milk until the nature of the trouble is determined. 



Cattle Lick. — S.J. inquires re cattle lick. 



Ans2ver. — Supply a lick composed of sterilized bone meal and sheep silt in 

 equal parts and place in accessible boxes protected from the weather. 



Straxgles. — H.G.P. desires advice as to feeding young colt just recovering 

 fiom a bad attack of strangles. He states that he is feeding him heavily on oats, 

 bran, and chaff, also oil cake. 



Answer. — Do not give oats too heavily. An occasional feed of boiled barley 

 will be beneficial. Give for four successive days in morning feed damped the 

 following powder : — Powdered sulphate of iron anrl powdered gentian of each 

 I dram. 



Ratiox for Dairy Cows. — (i) H.G.P. states that he is feeding his cows on 

 chaff, bran, and oil cake. He wishes to know what is the best ration. (2) D.F.G. 

 furnishes the analysis of some green feed, and asks how it compares with well- 

 known green fodders such as maize, &c. 



Answer. — (i) Chaff, 30 lbs. ; bran, 4 lbs. ; and oil cake, 3 lbs. (2) Comparison of 

 analyses shows that mentioned (moisture, 94.48; ash, 1.16; fibre, 0.16; alluminoid, 

 0.38; carbohydrates, 3.28; ether extract, o.io) to be low in feeding value being about 

 half the value of turnips and mangolds and quarter that of maize. 



Ratiox for Trottixg Poxy. — W.F. asks what is recommended as the best 

 feed for putting strength and condition on a pony intended for trotting and show 

 events. 



Answer. — The following is recommended for a light horse : — Oats 10 lbs., 

 hay or chaff 12 lbs., bran 2 lbs., carrots 3 lbs. The oats may be increased as the 

 work becomes harder, with a corresponding decrease in the quantity of hay. Care 

 should be taken that the quantities are not unduly disproportionate as there is always 

 a danger of digestive derangement if insufficient fibre is given. A reduction in 

 quantities, according to the weight of the pony, should of course be made. 



Soil Improvers. — R.G. submits several questions relative to value of crushed 

 limestone, mortar from old buildings, Thomas phosphate, &c., as soil improvers. 



Anstuer. — (i) Crushed limestone can be obtained from the principal lime 

 merchants. The price is about 24s. per ton. (2) Old mortar from buildings is of 

 no value compared with lime, as its caustic properties have been neutralised by 

 •combination with silica, and consequently its value for agricultural use has been 



