220 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Mar., 1902. 
BACKING DEVICE FOR HORSES. 
The heavy work horses harnessed beside a pole have to aetsi in 
agricultural districts, and particularly where the country is at all hilly, is often 
harmful to them, because of the strain to which they are put when descending 
an incline in front of a heavy load. This result can now be obviated by means 
of an exceedingly simple but none the less effective device known as the 
“Plywel.” Tt consists merely of two extension bars, pivotally attached to the 
forepart of the pole, so that the horses may exert their backing or retarding — 
forces therefrom in the same straight lines as those in which they are enabled 
to pull straight forward, by reason of the extended splinter bar which is behind 
them for that purpose. Thus the harmful conditions under which horses are 
compelled to labour are done away with, and sore withers, sprained tendons, — 
and other serious ailments are the exception rather than the rule.— Farmer and 
Stockbreeder. | 
HOW TO THROW A BULL. 
Puta halter on. Take a sound, ordinary cart rope, make a loop at one 
end and pass it over the head, and let it rest close around the neck low down 
like a collar (writes T. McFarlane in the Farmers’ Review); bring the rope to 
the near side, pass it over the back just behind the shoulders, bring it under- 
neath the chest, and pass it under and then above the rope so as tomake a loop 
around the chest; carry the rope back, pass it over the loins, and bring it 
underneath the belly close to the flanks; make another loop as before, and 
carry the rope straight ‘behind the animal, tighten up the loops, one close to 
the elbows, the other close to the hind flanks. 
All being ready, instruct the man who holds the halter shank to pull 
forwards, and at the same time the men who have hold of the loose end of the 
rope to pull straight backwards, and down the animal goes, generally without 
a struggle. Keep the head down and the rope firm, and as a rule the animal 
lies quietly until such time it is desired he should get up, when slacken th 
rope and up he gets, none the worse for the casting. The heaviest bull may be 
cast in this way, but, of course, no one would think of casting an in-calf cow or — 
heifer, either in this or any other way.— Farmer and Stockbreeder. 
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
The Editor will be glad if the secretaries of Agricultural and other Societies 
will, as early as possible after the fixture of their respective shows, notify him 
of the date, and also of any change in date which may have been decided on. 
