NOTES FROM FAR AND NEAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 281, 15 November 1930, Page 12

NOTES FROM FAR AND NEAR

West Coast Conditions. Although the weather was very boisterous yesterday on the West Coast, the westerly winds were accompanied by heavy showers, which reached as far as Norsewood. From a Hawke's Bay point of view, the other coast seems very well off for feed, but farmers seem to consider that pastures are more backward than usual. Value of Meat Meal. There has been ■ considerable moi tality amongst the yearling Jersey heifers in Taranaki during the last winter and spring; ths reason, no donht, being the want of properly balanced rations. An up-to-date farmer advises the more liberal use of meat meal, together with suitable stock licks. The low price of old and cull ewes will enable the works to concentrate more on meat meal, and there should be no lack of supplies. The low returns received from Landon for this class of stock have been very disappointing, and if by turning them into meat meal the general health of young stock is improved, it may be a blessing iu disguise. All-year-round Harrowing.

In conversation with a South Taranaki settler. who farms about two thousand acres of coast country, it was interesting to learn that he considers it a payable proposition to keep the harrows at work on grass land all the year round. His method of working is to use a tractor with heavy harrows in the winter, medium weight in the spring and light in the summer. An opportunity was taken to inspect a fiftyacre paddock which had had this treatment and the results seemed to justify tbs expenditure. Two grown cattle and two flock rams to the acre had been carried for several months and all the stock were in excellent condition.

Good result in treatment for footrot in sheep aro claimed for a recent invention in England. It includes the, use of medicated waterproof canvas boots which are nulled over the infected foot like a sock and wired above the fetlock. Tn addition to its curative action, the escape of mis and consequent spread of infection arc prevented, ■