March 1, 1901.] 
Supplement to the "Tropiel Agriculturist' 
651 
aliovcn by setting varied from 4 7 to 20'.'^, the 
percentage of butter fat varied only from 3 2 to 
6'6, tbese limits being exceptional, tbe majority 
of fat records approximating 3"5 per cent, while 
the cream records were very inconsistent. 
£n passant, the writer gives his vote in favour 
of separating over cream I'aisiug, in view of 
the former producing more constant and larger 
percentages of cream and butter. 
The most csnvenient and rapid way of ascer- 
taining the percentage of fat in milk is hy using 
Dr. Babcock's machine. 
The percentage of fat as recorded in the case of 
a milking herd through a period of 5 years varied 
from 3-45 to 3 68. 
The milk wai richest when the majority of 
cows were pretty far on iu the period of lactation, 
exemplifying the old story that when the quantity 
decreases the quality increase?. 
Again, cows were found to give richer milk 
when young than they did after they reached the 
age of 8 years or upwards. At the commencement 
of keeping the record in 1894 it took 2-1 lbs. of 
milk to make 1 lb. of butter, and with the same 
cows 5 years later the quality had degenerated 
80 much, that 27^ lbs. were required for the name 
result. Such facts as these, it will be admitted, 
are most important to the dairy-farmer, and 
prove the value of milk records. 
As regards milking we are told that a good 
milker will get more and richer milk than one 
who does not put life into his work. Continental 
experiments all point to one conclusiori — rapidity 
of execution and thorough stripping are essential 
to good dairying. But, as remarked before, there 
are cases which bailie the most careful experi- 
raenters, where every condition may be favourable 
and yet the precentage of fat is abnormally low. 
AV ith milking records available we have the best 
means of selecting not only our dairy cows but 
also (what is of more importance) the stud bulls 
of the farm. It would, therefore, appear that a 
Utile time given to the testing of milk es to 
quantity and quality (it need not be every day, 
but regularly) will greatly facilitate our own 
work and the work of others iu the dairy, and 
help to make dairying a more exact science than 
it is at present. 
QUAETER-ILL. 
This is a highly fatal disease that effects the 
bovine species. It may effect other animals hut 
this must be considered as very exceptional. The 
cause of the disease is the entrance into the 
system of a specific germ — the quarter-ill bacillus. 
The germ is most readily found in the tumours 
localised in the muscular parts of the body, such 
as the quarter, shoulder, &c. 
Quarter-ill, like distemper in the dog, affects 
young growling animals. There is a difference 
of opinion as to a plethoric or non-plethoric con- 
dition being predisposing, but the majority of 
authorities rather incline to favour the former 
view. Very young calves and full-grown animals 
are, as indicated above, never attacked except 
uuder the rarest cir-ciimstances, so that it is to be 
inferred that the muscular tissues are at a 
particular age a fit habitat for the bacillus, which 
thus enters the animal organism from the soil 
where it first exists. 
The most striking symptom is the localised, 
painful and hot swellings generally about the 
quarters and shoulder. The chief character of 
these tumours is the crackling sensation they 
impart to the touch — due to the pressure of gas 
withiti them. Asa rule, lameness folio tvs, de- 
pending in degree on the localisation and severity 
of the tumours. Fever and other indications of 
derangement in the healthy condition of the body 
are apparent on examiiiation. 
There may be said to be three methods of treating 
quarter-ill :— (I.) The depletory method recognises 
the use of purgatives, seconing, &c., which are 
employed also as preventative measures. (2,) 
Preventative inoculation advocated by French 
Veteiiriarians. (3.) Natural prevention, which 
consists of preserving the surroundings of the 
animals in a condition that is distateful to the 
bacillus. 
The germ, like most other germs thrives in the 
soil under certain conditions, and therefore may 
be said to have a limited existence in it. 
Contaminated soils would be most prolific in 
the propagation of the germ, so that it is only 
reasonable that the greatest precautions should be 
taken in the disposal of quarter-ill carcases which 
are best burnt or buried deep with lime. 
Land, on which quarter-ill has prevailed, 
should be well drained and cultivated, though it 
is problematic whether it is safe to allow the 
stock to consume the fodder : under any circum- 
stances it is best to prevent all young from grazing 
on SUCH land. 
INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY. 
(Miss Eleanor A. Obmehod.) 
Larva (Maggot, Grub, Caterpillar, die.). — If an 
insect-egg about to hatch is held against the light, 
or exatniued as a transparent object by means of 
a strong magnifier, it will be seen that there is a 
speck inside which increases in size and becomes 
more regular in shape daily, until it is too large 
for the egg to contain, when it breaks through 
this thin film which serves as an egg-shell, and 
often begins life by eating it. This is the larva. 
It is usually hatched from aii egg, but sometimes 
is produced alive (as some fly-maggots, or Aphides 
during the summer monthf). When it is coloured 
and has many feet, it is usually called a caterpillar ; 
white fleshy larvae, such as those of many Beetles 
or Flies, are commonly known as grubs or mag- 
gots ; such as resemble the parent insect are usually 
known by the name of this insect ; but the term 
of " worm" or " slug " is objectionable, as it leads 
to confusion. 
Larvae differ very much in appearance : some 
are legless, cylindrical, or blunt at the tail, and 
tapering at the head end, with the head (which is 
soft and furnished with hooks by way of feeding 
apparatus) capable of being drawn some way back 
into the maggot ; many Fly-m iggots are of this 
kind, 
