OCOTBER, 1012] 



287 



CALF-REARING METHODS. 



So many calves are slaughtered young nowadays that the problem of 

 the future supply of cattle is quite a serious one, and if not given the 

 immediate attention it merits is certain to lead to excessive prices, and, 

 after recent experiences, the Irish supply may not be thought so much 

 of or be so free of restrictions as in the past. In their own interests dairy 

 farmers especially should contrive to rear a larger proportion of their 

 stock, and how else can they hope to effect those wonderful improvements 

 in milk yield which we know to be possible '? 



The Royal Agricultural Society, as becomes the premier farmers' 

 society, is giving a valuable lead at the present time by conducting an 

 important experiment in calf-rearing at Woburn. It is still in progress, 

 and the results may be different later on, but the position alter nine 

 weeks is extremely interesting. Twenty calves are divided into five lots 

 of four each, the several lots having been differently fed from the time of 

 their purchase at two or three days old. One lot has had whole milk 

 only : another lot, separated milk and cod-liver oil ; a third, separated 

 milk and a purchased calf meal ; a fourth separated milk and 

 gruel (linseed and oatmeal) ; and the fifth lot, separated milk and 

 crushed oats. The calves are now turned out into the yard, and are all 

 receiving a little linseed cake with crushed oats and hay. Their subse- 

 quent development, as affected by the earlier feeding, will be the subject 

 of observation. 



The results dealing with the period of nine weeks bring out the 

 following points :— 



Average cost 

 per calf per 

 week. 



2s. 8 19d. 



2d. 



2s. 4'77d. 

 2s. 10-88d. 

 5s. 9-22d. 



Average gain 



in lb. per 

 calf per week. 

 9-66 

 866 

 8'29 

 13-30 

 12 83 



Average cost 

 in pence 

 per lb. gain. 

 3 -33d. 

 2'77d. 

 347d. 

 262d. 

 5-39d. 



well-known 



Description. 



Cod-liver oil, 

 Calf meal. 

 Gruel. 

 Oats. 



Whole milk. 



"Whatever else this proves it clearly demonstrates the 

 fact that the use of whole milk is prohibitive on account of expense, ex- 

 cept in the rather unlikely case of there being the surplus milk to spare 

 during the first few weeks of the calf's life. The gain with crushed oats, 

 while being greater even than with whole milk, represents actually less 

 than half the cost. The original arrangements for the experiment did 

 not include this unusual method of feeding, and it was evidently added 

 as an after-thought. It will be extremely interesting to see if it continues 

 to prove so profitable. 



SUGARCANE CROP IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR 1912-13. 



Information incomplete. Reported area 30,000 acres in British 

 Districts and 17,000 acres in Native States, 25 per cent, below corres- 

 ponding area last year. Owing to deficient rains last year which re- 

 duced level of water-supply in wells and tanks at planting season 

 which extends from November to June, cultivation considerably re- 

 stricted in Gujarat and Karnatak. Elsewhere area about same as last 

 year. Crop generally thriving everywhere. 



This forecast represents some 2'4 % of the total area in British 

 Territory, 



