1Mar., 1900.) QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 181 
that they run a certain amount of risk in turning them on to any kind of 
peenstulf, especially if it is immature, and even on to grass paddocks recently 
Wnt and shut up. Yet it is not the novice alone, but also the old experienced 
4 tyman, who is rudely awakened by the dying off of a number of his cows 
th ugh their eating young sorghum. The deadliest effects I find occur when 
ee 18 2 stunted growth as ina drought, or when there isa spasmodic spring 
ter a, thunderstorm, those growths being, I presume, more productive of gas 
the naturally growing herbage during a good season. Some believe that ata 
‘h m1 stage of growth sorghum is poisonous. I do not share that opinion, as 
he ave cutit when green feed has been very scarce, and have chaffed it with 
6 Vifeeding the mixture to the stock with no ill effects to the cows. The best- 
@ Mditioned and heaviest milkers, and consequently the most valuable for the 
© being at least, succumb to the gaseous effects. My advice to dairymen 
f ° are tempted to utilise, when feed is scarce, any young erowth of sorghum by 
Mg it off, is to refrain from doing so, for it is as hazardous as shooting with 
*Aded rifle promiscuously amongst the herd.” re 
mn he Assistant in the Division of Agrostology of the United States Depart- 
ent of Agriculture, writing on the subjects of millets, says :— In some sections 
© country the foxtail millets have gained the reputation of being injurious 
“ettain kinds of stock, and are therefore regarded with suspicion by many 
pects and stockmen. Like many other forage plants, these millets become 
dif arsh and woody with age, the beans are stiff and harsh, and are not only 
the cult to digest, but produce more or less irritation in the digestive tract of 
to ‘imal, and sometimes unite with other indigestible substances, forming 
Pact balls in the stomach, ultimately causing death. Again, immature and 
thi Pe foxtail millet is said to produce abortion in brood mares and cows, but 
ate “S not been established experimentally. Millet in any stage of growth 
ats ie 4 laxative and diuretic. Cutwhile the plants are quite young, it appears 
OWe Most strongly laxative, while gromripe hay is most strongly diuretic. 
fle. eh if cut at the right stage of growth, the action will not be sufficient 
serious results if other hay or coarse forage is fed along with it. 
A CHEAP CATTLE DIP. 
| ox My. P. R. Gordon, Chief Inspector of Stock, we have received the 
Stn, wPanying plan and specification, of a cheap and effective cattle dip, con- 
ieee by Mr. ©. T. Morgan, of Mount Castor, Mackay. Mr. Gordon says 
Con Wis by far the largest and decidedly the cheapest—so far as construction is 
infostent® —in the colony. As there are many waterholes throughout the tick- 
iM ed districts which might be utilised for cattle dips according to Mr. 
gig cheap plan, he recommends that the description be published for 
Information. ’ ' 
| Mop 1 complying with Mr. Gordon’s request for particulars of the dip, Mr. 
ote courteously forwarded a plan (here reproduced), with the following 
hay My long and painful experience of the ticks and Texas fever is such that I 
Dey, Xo hesitation in declaring in favour of dipping as against inoculation as a 
a Ve against fever. Rie pee 
Tmersion proyed beyond doubt that fertilisation in the tick ceases after the 
the “ Nother matter on which I am thoroughly satisfied is this: If cattle, in 
mnie stage of the fever, are put through a strong solution, the feverish 
WithonswS Will at once disappear. J assure you I do not make these assertions 
| tong the fullest significance of their meaning; and as you have stated your 
Vom qo of giving the fullest publicity to my plans, &c., when they reach you, 
tiga cStous that you be supplied with nothing but solid ‘facts as they have 
_ “ed themselves to me through the closest observation from time to time. 
