H.—29.

The losses caused to sheep-farmers by internal animal-parasites in their flocks continue to be probably greater than those caused by any other trouble. Too much reliance is placed on drenching alone, while the over-riding importance of suitable management and feeding is too often ignored. The economic importance of lymphadenitis, which has been stressed in previous reports, justifies the giving of special attention to the elimination of this trouble from the flocks. The year under review has provided additional evidence of the value in eliminating lymphadenitis of manual palpation which will be demonstrated to any sheep-owner who applies to the Department. The report of the Live-stock Division goes into detail regarding this. The inflammatory condition of the sheep's skin (mycotic dermatitis), to which reference was made in the report of last year, was noted again in the year under review in South Island flocks. The number affected in individual flocks was small. Sheepowners should report suspicious cases to the Department for investigation. " Pink-eye" (infectious ophthalmia) of sheep was common, following the dry summer, and much advice regarding suitable control measures was given. The incidence of ante-partum paralysis was low, the greatest numbers being recorded in Otago, this being due possibly to severe weather conditions in July. The general position in respect to lice and ticks is satisfactory. Reports are indicative of considerable prevalence of sheep blowfly attack, which could be minimized by more extensive use of fly-traps. The increasing role of pig-keeping in our farming makes it particularly advisable that pig-keepers realize and apply in their practice the fact that there is a close correlation between general management and the incidence of diseases and disorders. Large numbers of pigs are rejected for export, and many of the rejections may be attributed to faulty management. Apart altogether from these rejections, which are serious in themselves, it has to be borne in mind that economic production of the pig-meat that is passed for export is intimately linked with good management, particularly in respect to feeding and accommodation. It is gratifying that during the year the Dominion was free from swine-fever : the measures taken to deal with the outbreak which occurred last year have proved completely effective. Pleurisy in pigs is sufficiently common to cause concern in regard to exports to Britain, where the authorities adopt a stringent attitude in regard to pleurisy. Given correct feeding and adequate housing, the incidence of pleurisy should decline substantially, as also should that of tuberculosis, a lessening of which is desirable even though to a large extent the actual infection in the carcass is slight. Necrotic ulceration of the skin, which is another condition that leads to rejection of carcasses for export, could be lessened by improvement in hygienic conditions. The Rabbit Nuisance. The favourable weather conditions of the year, the low prices obtainable for skins and carcasses, and the financial stringency that affects many land-holders, all have militated against abatement of the rabbit nuisance. Nevertheless, the position, though not satisfactory, is not alarming, and much is being done to deal more adequately with the present undesirable state of affairs. That the advantage of Rabbit Board control is being more widely recognized, is indicated by the formation of several new Boards. The Boards in existence have carried out their work satisfactorily. Control of Noxious Weeds. The amendment of 1934 to the Noxious Weeds Act should lead to improved control. By this amendment County Councils are given power to assume responsibility for the administration of the Act within their respective counties, and it is significant that already several Councils have taken over the administration--at times particularly to handle the control of ragwort. The spontaneous response of these Councils to administer the Act augurs well for the future, and their action merits the fullest support and the consideration of other Councils. The present extensive use of sodium chlorate as a means of keeping weeds, especially ragwort, in control, is a direct outcome of experimental work carried out by the Fields Division, and as a result the farmer now has a reliable method of controlling ragwort and other weeds, and because of this the Government is subsidizing sodium chlorate and thus fostering its sale to farmers. Although the weed position of the Dominion is somewhat unsatisfactory, it is now as a whole better than it has been for some years past. This is particularly true of ragwort in the North Island, where its influence, always of moment, was growing in recent years. Considerable attention has been given to other important noxious weeds such as sweet briar, blackberry, Californian thistle, and gorse.

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