10. Feb., 1917.] Farm N»tt><. 91 



FARM NOTES. 



The parsnip is one of the most nutiitious of all root vegetables, 

 containing more solids, and, tlierefore, more actnal nourishment, than 

 either tlie potato, turnip, or carrot. It may be employed to a certain 

 extent as a substitute for meat. 



Comparing England and Walts at the time of the war against 

 France in 1801, "the population was then 8,892,536, so there were 35^ 

 acres under wheat for every liundred inliabitants. In 1914 the popula- 

 tion was 37,302,983, and tor every hundred inliabitants there were five 

 acres under wheat." 



A Closed pail will exclude three-quarters of the dirt that would 

 otherwise be found in the milk. Clean hands and clean overalls contri- 

 bute toward a clean product. The milking-room should be kept free 

 from dust and strong odours; manure, bedding, hay, or silage should be 

 handled onlj' after the milk has been removed from the bam. 



To have the products as large and even at the bottom of the bag or 

 box as they are on top is honest packing. But somehow the large speci- 

 mens frequently find their way to the top of the receptacle. Proper 

 precautions as to grading always lead to honest packing. Buyers soon 

 learn which producers pack straight and use no deception in packing 

 their products. One can pack dishonestly. 



Germs are organized ferments, and are the most minute forms of 

 life. They are of inestimable value to the dairyman where butter and 

 cheese are made. It is due to the action of these small organisms that 

 the desirable flavours in dairy products are present. Many kinds of 

 germs produce taints, &c., in milk, but this class of bacteria may be 

 kept in check by producing and treating the milk under proper con- 

 ditions. 



A Wellington paper states that the New Zealand "flax" industry 

 is booming, owing to enhanced prices. One large mill would be clear- 

 ing £2,000 per week. There are hundreds of small mills in New 

 Zealand. This fibre plant {Phormiiim tenax) thrives well in Victoria 

 in suitable damp localities, and, in view of the demand ruling, atten- 

 tion mav be directed to an article in this Journal of June, 1906, when 

 instructions for the establishment of plantations were given. Since 

 that date prospects have further improved by better methods of 

 handling the leaf. 



Chlorophyll or leaf-green is a coni])ound of nitrogen. When a crop 

 does not get enough niti-ogeu from the soil, its colour is bad, and nitro- 

 genous manures on worn-out or poor soils improve the yield. But the 

 lack of colour may also be due to water troubles — either too much 

 water or too little. 



