622 THE farmers' HANDBOOK. 



The Limitations of Indian Cane. 



As stated previously, Indian cane is being grown extensively throughout 

 the North Coast, and quite a number of dairymen, whose spirits were buoyed 

 up on the reputation of this plant, have been disappointed, and in a few 

 instances have condemned it, but only because the crop was not understood. 

 Cane contains a large amount of saccharine matter, which tends to fatten 

 rather than to stimulate milk production. For the milking herd it is 

 essential that foods rich in protein, such as lucerne, clovers, vetches, peas, 

 &c, should be given. 



At the same time, if other fodder is not available cane is far better than 

 nothing, and if it does nothing else than pull animals through a somewhat 

 severe winter in good condition its value should not be overlooked. In 

 any case, young or dry stock can be fed on this fodder, while any milk- 

 producing foods that may be grown can be reserved solely for the milking 

 herd. 



Feeding to Stock. 



Indian cane is specially suitable for working bullocks. In the timber 

 districts the country is not usually of the best for grazing purposes, and it 

 not unfrequently happens that through a scarcity of ordinary or even rough 

 herbage many teamsters are compelled to turn their teams out for a rest 

 during winter months. At such periods the weather conditions generally 

 favour good roads, so that the teamsters are compelled to lose valuable time. 

 The cultivation of cane in favoured situations in many of these localities 

 enables the animals to be fed, and with the wonderful powers of endurance 

 thus obtained constant and profitable work may be engaged in. In a similar 

 manner horses will also work well, but, of course, it is preferable, if very 

 heavy work is being performed, to include a little grain. 



In the feeding of this fodder to stock, however, there are certain dangers 

 which must be guarded against. All well matured cane ought to be chaffed. 

 Though much softer than many varieties of sugar-cane, there is a fair 

 amount of hard or woody fibre, which has a very bad effect upon the teeth 

 of stock. Chaffing minimises this danger to a very large extent. Probably 

 ho deleterious results would be noticed in feeding small quantities over two 

 or three years, but, on the other band, liberal feeding of unchaffed cane over 

 lengthened periods does injure the teeth and otherwise impair the health 

 and comfort of animals. 



Instances have been recorded where stock have been killed through eating 

 cane. Post mortem examinations have revealed the presence of large accumu- 

 lations of undigested fibre. Similar troubles occur in drought times in 

 other districts where animals are forced to subsist on nothing but dry foods. 

 This raises another point of considerable importance regarding the feeding 

 of stock, and that is, that endeavours should be made when feeding large 

 quantities of dry foods, or fodder containing much dry matter, to have also a 

 liberal supply of succulent material, such as green crops or silage. A mixed 

 diet is always preferable to a single food. 



There is another danger associated with cane. There is always a risk 

 of fire from the presence of so much dead leaves or trash. For that reason 

 care should be exercised in the selection of sites, so that they are not 

 situated too close to scrub or other material that may be burnt, or to forest 

 areas that are periodically raided by bush-fires. In harvesting the cane also, 

 lighted pipes should be prohibited 



