June 1, 1 903. J Supplement to the "Tropical ArjncuUutuL' 
66? 
Kampeh affects a damp aituatiou and is i*arely 
seen in flower. The commoii iiams is derived 
from the Malay. 
We reproduce an interesting paper on Diseasts 
of Poultry in the present number, and have no 
doubt that the useful information it contains 
will be welcome to local poultry-keepers, among 
whom there have been evidences of great activity 
of late. 
SOEGHUM POISONING. 
Sorghum vulgare or the Great Millet, known 
in North India as Jowari, and among the Tamils 
as Cholum, is largely grown in India botli as a 
grain and fodder crop, and to some extent also in 
Ceylon. 
The following report by Dr. Maxwell on the 
poisonous properties of Sorgluim under certain 
conditions is of interest to all who are growing 
tiie crop. Hydrocyanic acid, we may mention 
for the benefit of those who are not aware of tlie 
fact, is the same as Prussic Acid, well known 
as a deadly poison :- 
" 1 have the honour to make a preliminary state- 
ment upon given investigations that are being 
conducted with certain green crops in order to 
determine the presence, or non-presence, of given 
poisonous bodies. The results of the investiga- 
tions, so far conducted, make it advisable that 
a brief statement should be made at once to onr 
farmers and others U3ing such green crops for 
feed. Examinations at different stages of growth 
of sorghum show tliat the plant in its early 
history contains distinctly fatal amounts of 
hydrocyanic acid. The object of the examinations 
is to determine at what age sorghum and similar 
plants, containing these poisonous bodies, can 
be safely used. So far the samples cuf, reaching 
up to an age of seven weeks, still contain highly 
dangerous, in fact fatal, amounts, if fe;l in liberiil 
quantities. The chemist, Mr. Brunnich, who 
has exclusive charge of the laboratory work, is 
still engaged on the mai'ter, and I hope, before 
very long, to make a full statement. In the 
meantime, however, it is strictly advisable to 
notify the farmers of the almost certain danger, 
as many have discovered, of fe?ding young 
sorghum to cattle. It is indicated that it will 
not be safe to give cattle free access to sorghum — 
that is, to eat as much as they like— until it has 
reached the seeding stage. Tlsi-^ question, 
however, it is hoped to have settled within a few 
weeks. The Laboratory is also engaged upon 
other plants, including maize, Kafir corn, &c., 
with a view to determine their safene^s, during 
their early growth, for feed. 
The investigatiotis also promise to prove beyond 
question a statement previously made by me 
that the amount of the poisonous body (Iiydro- 
cyanic acid) present in the plants is very largely 
controlled by the nature of the soil, or, in other 
words, by the amount of nitrogen that the soil 
contains. This fact will make it also clear 
that sorghum, for uxauiple, whicii is grown upon 
rich soil, is likely to bo much more dangerous 
during its early stages of development than the 
same plant grown upon poor soils. These 
matters, however, will be made clear in a fuller 
statement as soon as the investigationa are com- 
pleted. 
I beg to urge the immediate distribution of this 
information through Jbe public Press, since this 
is the particular time when these green crops are 
being fed to cattle." 
« 
DISEASES OF POULTRY. 
By F. H. RonERTSoN. 
Poultry, like all live stock, are liable to be 
affected with sickness or disease, especially if not 
kept in accordance with "Nature's Laws." It is, 
herefore, necessary that all poultry-keepers should 
have some knowledge of the ailments of fowls and 
how to treat them. Not that I am in favour of 
wholesale doctoring — far from it; ; rather should 
the poultry man or woman use every endeavour 
to keep the fowls in good health by paying strict 
attention to their many little requirements. At 
the same time it frequen'lj' happens that the 
spreading of some contagious disease is stamped 
out by the speedy withdrawal of the bird affected 
before it has had time to contaminate the rest of 
the flock. In such cases it is generally advisable 
to destory the sick fowl. In any case, it is 
absolutely necessary to be always on the alert for 
the slightest appearance of sickness. Do not 
delay, but at once catch the ailing one, ascertain 
what is wrong, apply the proper remedies, and 
keep the invalid in the hospital, with which every 
yard should be provided. This sick pen should, 
if possible, be right away from the regular fowl 
runs ; and as fowls, even when in good health, 
chafe under close confinement, it does not do to 
keep sick ones entirely closed up in a box or 
basket, so a small run must be provided to allow 
the birds to move about in when the weather is 
fine. An enclosure of, say, 12 ft. square is 
sufficient, situated in a sheltered locality quite 
away from the ordinary runs ; let the sides be 
covered in all round to a height of about 25 ft., 
and to complete the isolation it should be wired 
in overhead, to prevent healthy fowls gaining 
access; also to keep the inmates of the hospital in 
their own pen. A staall water-tight house, 
provided with a perch in the pen, whish is wired 
in front so that the sick birds can be kept iiuloors 
if the weather is cold or wet. This system is the 
simplest mode of coping with sick fowls, as, 
owing to the smallness of the run, they ai'e easily 
caught, and a dozen fo.vls can be quickly handled 
and doctored in a few minutes. 
Ajtoplen/ is not at all uncommon in this .State, 
but It is very sudden in its attacks. Tho fowl is 
generally dead before treatment can be adminis- 
t !red. Hens found dead on the nest is frequently 
due to this disease, owing to excessive straining 
or intense heat. Ilighly-fed and over-fat fowls, 
if subjected to undue excitement from chasing or 
fighting, are liable to go off suddenly. If a fowl 
is noticed staggering about and going round in a 
circle, letting cold water run from the tap ou to 
the bird's head will generally bring it round j 
