THE FARM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3376, 2 March 1920, Page 2

THE FARM.

STOMACH WORMS IX SHEEPA sheepbreeder wrote recently, says an Australian paper, with reference to his sheep developing a taste for dirt, etc., and was advised that the depraved appetite was probably due to worms. Prevention is the best cure, and in this respect a rotation of pastures is one of the best measures to take; and the furnishing of an uncontaminated water supply is also of the greatest importance. Gasoline, to in milk or in raw linseed oil, or in a capsule, is an old remedy of value; but in the liquid forms has to be carefully administered. The American Sheepbreeder claims that a solution of copper sulphate (bluestone) is a safer and better remedy than gasoline. It has also the recommendation that only one dose at a time is needed at intervals of 10 to 14 days. The solution consists of loz finely powdered bluestone in two quarts of boiling water. Since the American gallon is about 81b of water, two quarts will be 41b of water, and not 51b, as in English measures. When cold, the solution is given at the rate of for a full-grown sheep; 2oz for a well-grown yearling; loz for lamb over six months and under one year; %oz for lamb under six months. Sheep should be starved for 24 hours before treatment. A bottle may be used for administering the medicine, or a long, rubber tube with a funnel at one end, into which the medicine is poured. In another issue was given the formula for an arsenic drench of stomach worms as follows. Boil together slowly in a quart of water for a half-hour loz of arsenic and 2oz of carbonate of soda. Then add sufficient water to bring the total quantity up to three gallons. Allow to stand, ami later pour off the clear solution, or strain it through a plug of cotton wool. The solution will then contain one grain of arsenic in each loz of solution. The dose for a grown sheep is up to 2oz; the dose for a nine-months old lamb is up to the dose for a six-months-old lamb is up to loz. After treatment, generous feeding on crushed oats, bran, etc., and green feed will be found of great benefit. HANDLING FARM HORSES. An Australian, during a recent lecture on the management of horses, said most horses were fairly easily caught if the correct methods were adopted. Some would allow themselves to be caught if they were approached boldly, while with others more patient tactics had to be adopted. For the latter the animals should be driven to a corner and approached slowly, the winkers being held in the left hand behind the back. One should talk quietly to the horse, and not show any signs of nervousness. The right hand should then be passed over the near side shoulder and neck, and a firm hold taken of the mane. The winkers could then be produced, and in most cases one would be able to secure the the horse. Before it was harnessed the animal should be thoroughly groomed. Any dirt or lumps on the lining of the collar should be removed, and the mane pulled from under the collar to minimise the danger of sore shoulders. The chains of each animal should be of the same length, and the hames fixed just above the point of the shoulder. If a horse had a tender mouth, it was advisable to link the coupling in the top ring of the winkers, especially if the animal was working next to a horse that was inclined to ihrow up its head.. When using rope reins or couplings, a fi-gure-eight knot or a bow-line was most suitable for fastening to the winkers, for, if the rope became wet, the knot was easily untied. When the team was engaged in heavy carting work, and the horses were inclined to "stick-up," it was a good plan to stand them up a few paces at a time, rather than allow them to stop and start on their own accord. They should be given a few minutes' spell, but net long enough to allow them to become cold. The paper concluded with the following hints to those who had the working of horses: —When leaving the horse and vehicle standing, never tie the reins to the wheels. The horse might back and that would very likely result in a broken vehicle, and probably injury to the animal. When unharnessing the horses, a practice should be made of hanging the harness on a peg to prevent sand and dirt getting into the lining. Before running- the horse out fcr the night give him a good brush down and have a sandy patch in the yard where he can have a roll. Always keep the hoofs trimmed with a good round bevel on them to prevent them cracking. Never hit a horse on the head, for many a good animal has been spoilt by such treatment. If he is inclined to play up. treat him kindly and use plenty of patience before "using the whip. If a light or weak horse was working on a swing with a stronger animal, have an extra eyebolt hole in the swing a little to one side of the centre eyebolt in order that the weaker horse will have an advantage. AMERICA EXPORTS HORSES. The export of horses to Europe from the United States has set in strongly in spite of high ocean freight. Three shipments had left early ;n July for Havre, part of which was intended for Belgium". Agents who acted in Belgium for those Americans, buying stud horses there before the war. are noy buying on the Chicago market. Shipments at the rate of between 400 and 500 per week were expected to leave this centre by the end of July. The horse most sought after, according to the secretary of the Percheron Horse Society of America, is one standing 16.3 to 17 hands, depth of chest equal to one-half of height, strong backed, powerful, well proportioned, and weighing over 17001b in good working condition. It is predicted that by 1921 good draught horses will be higher in price than ever before.