380 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 June, 1919. 



or a desire for gain, many people reduce the feed of their cows by 

 one-half to two-thirds during the dry period. This is quite a serious 

 mistake, however, for it should he remembered that at this time food is 

 needed for a double purpose, just the same as when giving milk. It 

 never pays to stint the feed of pregnant animals in an effort to 

 economize during a time when they are not actually producing visible 

 results. 



This is particularly true of milk cows, if one expects to get a 

 reasonable flow of milk after calving. A cow that has had her feed 

 reduced for several months before calving will have drawn on her 

 reserve force to keep the feeding of the unborn calf up to normal, conse- 

 quently she comes to the milking period in a badly run-down condition, 

 very often having a milk flow that is not sufficient even for the calf. 

 In such cases the coav proves unprofitable as a milk producer, due simply 

 to poor management, but the owner, thinking she has passed her useful 

 stage, disiposes of her at once. 



All pregnant animals should be given a diet that is nourishing, not 

 too bulky, and easily digested. Fat has a decided tendency to make an 

 animal sluggish and inactive, sometl;iing that must be avoided during 

 pregnancy. It is very essential to the health of both the mother and 

 the young that all organs of the body properly perform their functions, 

 and when out of order they should be corrected at once. If some of 

 these precautions were taken there would be less loss in live stock. Kind- 

 ness in caring for all stock is a factor that results in profit, and animals 

 that are always gently handled come to regard the one who cares for 

 them as a friend, and his presence does not excite or frighten them. 

 This is very valuable when the young things are being born and assist- 

 ance is necessary. If animals have learned from past care to regard 

 the attendant with fear, the mother instinct will prompt them to resent 

 any attention from him. When animals trust their attendant, his pre- 

 sence may save many of the young things that would otherwise perish. 

 Sheep are very easily excited, and gentleness is especially valuable in 

 handling them. Sudden fright causes sheep to rush together, very often 

 causing serious injury. Pregnant animals of all kinds should be kept 

 as quiet as possible to prevent injury from kicking, crowding, or being 

 stepped on. 



— Auckland Wcehly N^ews. 



FRUIT CASE WOODS. 



Experiments have been conducted recently by the New South Wales 

 Department of Agriculture in the use of the common willow for fruit cases. 

 The New South Wales fruit expert and irrigationist (Mr. W. J. Allen) 

 expresses the opinion that there are good prospects of supplying much of 

 the requirements of the trade in this way. The willow thrives on the 

 banks of most of the rivers. The wood possesses the much-desired 

 elasticity for the tops and bottoms of the cases, but is too valuable for the 

 ends, which have to be much thifkcr. The ordinary pine (Pinus insignis) 

 is suitable in many respects, but is not so elastic. It does well on the 

 coast, where it is often used as a breakwind for orchards. 



