15 Nov., 1919.] Reminders. 703 



HEMINDEHS FOR OECEIVIBEH. 



LIVE STOCK, 



Horses. — All farm horses in constant work at this season should be well fed 

 with last year's chaff or a mixture of old aftd new, to which a liberal supply of 

 oats has been added. New chaff or hay alone is not recommended, as it haa 

 not tlie sustaining powers of old hay, and is liable to give rise to digestive 

 troubles. Horses require water at frequent intervals; keeping theni for a long 

 time without water, and then allowing them to drink to excess is injurious. 



An occasional feed of green stuff will be beneficial. In the event of this 

 beincr unobtainable, give at week-ends a bran mash, to which is added five or 

 six packets of Epsom salts. 



Mares which are away from foals for any length of time should have a 

 portion of milk taken from them before foal is allowed to run with them, other- 

 wise serious results may accrue to foal. Good results follow an allowance of 

 chaff and oats to mares and foals running in paddocks, more especially where 

 feed is short. 



At this season the Bot Fly is about, and horses should be frequently examined 

 for the eggs of this fly. Tlie neck, forelegs, and jaws are the parts where the 

 eggs are deposited. Either the use of the singeing lamp under affected parts or 

 the application of kerosene will destroy the eggs. 



Cattle. — Provide succulent fodder and plenty of clean water and shade. 

 The silo is the cheapest method of providing succulent fodder, and costs less than 

 10s. per ton. Limewash the cowbails. it helps to keep down flies. Provide " lick " 

 in trough, consisting of salt 20 lbs., bone meal 20 lbs., and sulphate of iron ^ lb. 

 Look out for milk fever. Read up method of treatment in Year-Book of Agricul- 

 ture, June, 1905. Have cows' milk weighed, and tested for butter fat. Rear heifer 

 calves from cows giving satisfactory results. Continue giving milk at blood heat 

 to calves. Be careful to keep utensils clean, or diarrhoea will result. Do not give 

 too much milk at a time for the same reason. Give half-a-cup of limewater in 

 the milk to each calf. Let them have a good grass run or lucerne, or ^ lb. 

 crushed oats each per day in trough. Dehorn all dairy calves, except those 

 required for stud or show purposes. 



Pigs. — Sows. — Supply those farrowing with plenty of short bedding in well- 

 ventilated sties. Those with litters old enough may be turned into grass run. 

 All pigs should be given a plentiful supply of clean water. Read Bulletin No. 16. 

 Pig raising and fattening with present price of pollard and bacon should b^ 

 highly profitable. 



Sheep. — When the season is unfavorable, mate only young, well-grown, best- 

 mouthed ewes. When good, join shapely good-fleeced rams with all good ewes 

 procurable. Dispose of all faulty-mouthed ewes, inferior-fleeced wethers, and all 

 coarse-flock sorts of any sex or age, in best condition and at any time 

 now possible. Those in more favoured areas can replace with younger, 

 better, finer-grade sorts. Where ewe lambs are intended to be held for future 

 breeding, see that the cross results in shafty, fine to medium grade fleeces, 

 as well as a shaply frame. Allow rams to remain with the ewes seven weeks, 

 this period admitting of any ewes coming in season the second time. It is 

 rarely necessary to join more than 3 per cent, of 2 tooths, 3 per cent, of 5 and 6 

 year olds, or 2 per cent, of 2, 3 and 4 year old rams, unless with young ewes. 

 Where conditions justify it, 4 per cent, of vigorous matured rams witli aged coarse 

 crossbred ewes will bring a greatly increased number of twin lambs. Clear wool 

 and burrs from about the pizzles of rams, and cut hoofs into shape before 

 mating. Ewes should be of one breed, or as near one cross as possible, to ensure 

 an even and rapid dropping. Merino and fine cross ewes are in season earliest, 

 first cross or half-breds later, and all ewes with a preponderance of British 

 blood later still. It is useless to join rams with ewes until their proper time 

 of coming in season. Ewes carry their lambs four months, four weeks, four 

 days, or roughly, five months. 



