10 Makch, 19.19.J iiemmders for April. 191 



REMINDERS FOR flPRlU. 

 LIVE stock; 



Horses. — Those stabled should be fed liberally. Food of a more stimulating 

 nature can now be given to get them well over the ' ' changing coat ' ' season. 

 Those doing fast or heavy work should be clipped; if not wholly, then trace- 

 high. The legs should not be clipped. Those not rugged on coming into the 

 stable at night sweating freely should be wiped down and in half -an-hour 's 

 time rugged or covered with bags until the coat is dry. Yearling colts if 

 vigorous and well grown may be castrated. Weaned foals should have a 

 little crushed oats daily, if available. Horses to be turned out during winter 

 should not be clipped. Their mouths and feet should be examined and attended 

 to where necessary. 



Cattle. — As tlie nights become colder the dairy cows should be rugged. The 

 rugs should be removed in day-time when the shade temperature reaches 60 

 degrees. If new grass is plentiful, give a ration of hay or straw, whole or 

 chaffed, to counteract the purging effects of young grass. It will be found 

 profitable to give a few pounds of bran, crushed oats or poUymeal in addition to 

 other feed, to all cows giving a fair quantity of milk. Read article by Mr. B. A. 

 Barr, " Food Values and Rations," in Journal for September, 1916. Algerian 

 oats should be sown on suitable land for grazing off in the winter. Sow a 

 mixture of oats, rye, and tares or peas for winter fodder or to fill silos. Only 

 exceptional cows or those required for city milk supply should be served between 

 now and July. Within the next two or three months is the best time for cows 

 to calve, as they will pay to feed through the winter, give the best returns for 

 the season, and be dry when the feed is dry and at its worst. Calves should 

 have lucerne hay or crushed oats when grass is not plentiful. Take care tliat 

 salt lick previovisly recommended is available. One or two pounds of linseed 

 cake or meal given daily should be found beneficial. In addition to its feed value, 

 the oil in the cake or meal will eonuteract the efl'ect of dry feed, which is liable 

 to cause impaction. 



Pigs. — Sows not already served should be put to the boar. Supply all pigs 

 with plenty of bedding, and see that sties are warm and well ventilated. Supply 

 sows liberally with grain. Castrate young boars as early as possible. Pigs 

 should be highly profitable now, as pork is very dear. Rape, barley (especially 

 skinless), oats, itc. may be sown for grazing during winter. 



Sheep. — Merino and fine cross ewes, if mated early, will lamb from now 

 on. Those in lamb to the larger British breeds of rams i-an lie expected to 

 give a certain amount of trouble in lambing. 



Close attention should be given morning and evening to save every 

 lamb possible, and any ewes that may lie cast. If the ewes are well- 

 wool led sorts, they will need crutching for fly, at the same time clear 

 wool from around teats, and away from the eyes also. If the ewes are 

 attentive mothers any lambs that are found dead after these precautions, apart 

 from weather conditions, foxes, &c,, are just as well gone. Give purgative 

 drenches at first sight of ewes appearing ill in any way. Give warm salad 

 oil to any lambs that are dull in appearance. Ewes after difficult parturition 

 or retention of after-birth can often be saved by flushing out with ^ oz, Ljsol to 

 3 pints warm water. Reserve fresh pasture, or better still, sow a mixed green 

 crop to turn ewes into later on, but not while carrying the lambs, this is too often 

 injurious. On fine mornings when attending ewes, if feed is plentiful and ewes 

 strong castrate as many ram lambs as possible, they are easily caught when two 

 or three days old. Place them between the feet on the ground, no holder is 

 necessary. In districts where conditions make second dipping a necessity, see 

 that it is done before the weather becomes too unsettled. 



Poultry. — Do not feed maize this month — soft food aids moult; add a 

 teaspoonfnl of linseed to each bird's ration once daily. The more exercise the 

 hens get the better they moult. Add to drinking water one packet of Epsom 

 salts to twenty birds. Keep a sharp look out for chicken pox. Forward pullets 

 should now be in their winter quarters, \\ith plenty of scratching litter, and fed 

 liberally — including ration of animal food. Grit, shell, and charcoal should 

 alwavs be available. 



