6io Journal of Agriciiliure. [lo Sept., 1910. 



Malt Combings. — J.R. inquires as to value of malt combings for stock feed. 



Answer. — More suitable for cattle than for horses. It should be steamed or 

 damped for a few hours before being rni.xed with the chaff with which it is being 

 fed. 



Oatmeal Branmxg. — H.H.H. inquires as to value of oatmeal branning as a 

 stock food. 



Answer. — Analysis shows branning to be about half the nutritive value of bran, 

 i.e., I to 7.3. 



Feeding Apples to Cows. — A.K.S. asks whether apples should be fed to cows. 



Answer. — Apples are deficient in nutritive properties and should not be fed 

 inordinately. A few added to a good ration would not be out of place. 



Strangles. — V.J.C. writes — " I have a 3-year-old filly which three months ago. 

 had a severe attack of strangles. A large swelling appeared on the neck just 

 behind the jaw. When ripe I opened it with a small knife and washed out with 

 an antiseptic every morning for a fortnight, when it apparentlv healed. About a 

 fortnight later it broke out again, pus and watery matter coming from it. The 

 same trouble keeps recurring after similar intervals." 



Answer. — It would appear from the symptoms indicated that the original abscess, 

 was not sufficiently opened to allow of free discharge of pus and that the abscess 

 was not sufiicientlv disinfected. Make a good opening in the abscess and syringe 

 out with a 5 per cent, solution of Carbolic Acid or 5 per cent. Lysol once daily until 

 discharge ceases. 



Death of Horse. — C.f .P. Vi rites — ' A young horse (3 years) living in the open, 

 fed on chaff or hay night and morning, rugged, suddenly showed signs of abdominal 

 pains which, though more severe at times, never ceased ; bad breath was also notice- 

 able. As soon as noticed (first thing in the morning) an enema was given, but 

 without result ; 8 ozs. Magnesia Sulphate (8 ozs.) also given, internally. The 

 symptoms still continuing another enema and one pint of linseed oil were given at 

 night. In the morning the horse was dead and fosl-mortem examination revealed 

 a long portion of the bowel acutely inflamed, also a decided twist in a portion near 

 the stomach which wasi fidl. The horse had onlv been given occasional light work.'' 



Answer. — Mortality was due to inflammation of the bowels. The exact cause in 

 this case is not evident, but possibly it was due to the fact that the animal was given 

 food in quantity quite disproportionate to requirements, consiflering it had onlv 

 occasional light work. The giving of purgatives in such cases only increases the 

 severity. 



Broken Wind. — C.R.J, asks what is the mailer with his ponv. The symptoms 

 are: — Breathing difficult; worse in frosty weather; wheezing can be heard distinctly 

 when pulling hard or going up-hill ; always has a cough, more or less worse in cold 

 weather — in fact, very little Sijgn of trouble in hot weather unless worked heavily. 



Answer. — It is apparently a case of " broken wind " due to chronic asthma. 

 Treatment can only be palliative. Avoid over-loading stomach, excessive pulling, 

 and always give the drinking water previous to feeding. 



.Sheep Lick. — H. F. writes — " Last March we put about 1,400 strong voung wethers 

 on our land (VVimmera District). All were in good condition, and also when they were 

 mustered recently ; but on being molested a number took what appeared to be fits. 

 'J'hey turned round and round, eventually falling dead and frothing at the mouth. 

 On -post-mortem examination the '' bible " was found to be very hard and dry. The 

 remainder of the sheep when brought on to green f()Od for a few daj's resumed their 

 usual health. 



Answer. — The trouble is due to some deficiencv in the soil and herbage. Try 

 giving a lick composed of Sulphate of Iron 2 lbs., Superphosphate 20 lbs., Slaked 

 Lime 20 lbs.. Salt 20 lbs. This should be placed in boxes in the paddocks and pro- 

 tected from the weather. 



Paralysis. — A.K.S. states that her horse has been ailing for a fortnight off and 

 on, is now down and cannot be got uji. In other respects he seems right. 



Answer. — Your horse is suffering from paralysis caused by injury or pressure of 

 the spinal cord, and should be placed in a sling and blister applied to the loins. 



A LABOUR-SAVING CONTRIVANCE. 



E. A. R viand, Dairy Sufervisor. 



The accompanying illusti"ation.s are those of an ordinary barrel con- 

 verted to the use of carrying skim milk from the separator room to the 

 piggery on the farm of Mr. H. Cheyne, of Lake Boga. The barrel was 



