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GUARDIAN

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lead Anal-bes- Ranchers Replica

Tan Cautions Submitted to llim -'l'bese an lnterosting and In- Vateaetlve - seine worthwhile Facts About the Silver Fox and

.0tlse|- Fur Bearers-Questions and Answers.

Jase weer I submitted m these columns the answers of one fox man to a series of ten questions submitted to him.

I-felewlth I submit for the benefit of four farmers the answers of an- other well known rancher to exactly the same questions. A comparison of the opinions of these two men will be found extremely interesting.

l. Does it injure a fox to be caught by its brush ?

I would say that a fox may some- Unes be caught by its brush with- out the slightest injury, apparently, but it is vary often the case that it is going at _a great speed when thus caught, and the chances are very good to injure the fur by breaking or pulling it out, and also it is quite possible to put a kink in the tail that might permanently injure it. It is safer to use some other method of catching.

2. Should a fox that is to be pelted have free access to bright sunlight 7

Yes, but it should also have free access to shade as well, and good shade at that. We believe a deep. cool shade for a fox in captivity ls very conducive to the production of good fur, at least one of the things that helps produce good fur.

I. Should drugs or chemicals be allowed in putting a fox in condi- tion to exhibit at a show?

No. That is not a fair proposition at all. The fox would be sailing under false colors. We presume, oi’ course, you mean drugs or chemi- celswouldbeileedtoputaglosson the fin‘. Of course, ifdrugsor chem- icals are used in order to put a fox in _a physical condition so that he willmoducogoodfiuzthatisadlf- farant story. Natural beauty of pelt is what an investor wants when he is in the market, and he might just as well buy a, fox will-l s false pedi- gme as one with a borrowed coat.

4.. What eifact does inbreeding

have on a straii? of foxss? e Inbreeding, 0831i 0O W?! judiciously. might be the means of incressingtoahighdegreeavery much, coveted quality in a strain of lone. ‘Ihen, again, it can lust as aaaily result in magnifying some very lmdcebable weaknesses. By careful matings for one or two gen- erations it might be a safe propo- sitiombutitisjustaswelliobo cautious

5. How often should a fox be ex- amined for fleas 7

Thatdepandsagooddealoaicir- oumstances. If a fox is in perfect health with a good glossy coat, and does not give many signs of being bothered, the chances are he is quite free fromdlees. but if he does mueh scratching, it would be well to beep m the job ‘until all signs are removed. You can generally tell after examination how well the re- medy is working and govern future actions accordingly.

e. Do foxu need water during the winter months?

‘Ya, if they cannot get snow to Qt, i! snow is plentiful, they will seldom bother the water can.

‘I. Is it safe to liberate ten or more adult foxes in one large en- closure, during the summer months?

Sea, quite so. With plenty of room to run, they will seldom do one another injury. Generally speaking, the fox that gets hurt is the one that is driven into a tight corner.

8. Will a fox take a daily bath i! given the opportunity?

Have never seen it tried out. Have heard of such a thing hap- pening, but think lt would rather be the exception and not the rule. Have heard old hunters and resi- dents claim that s, fox in the wild that is bothered with fleas very badly will take a piece of moss or a stick in its mouth then back into the water gradually till it s all sub- merged but the snout. The fleas will gradually keep hopping towards the dry spots till they finally land on the moss or stick, then foxy will let go and put for the dry land. A wild fox will, as s rule, cross a stream on a fallen log or stick, pre- ferable to attempting to jump across or wade through, even in the summer time, and one would almost conclude that he is not a lover of water.

9. should any bedding material be put in the kennel at whelping time r

It is quite alright to put good, elem straw in the kennel previous to whelplng time, although it should be placed them sometime before that event takes place, as the female in some cases takes a few days to get used to it l: lt has not been a regular thlng. It is not necessary, however, to put anything

irlsidl. i! tho kennel is good and smooth inside and warmly built and stuffed around outside.

i0. Can foxes be shipped a long distance after being mated without danger of not having a litter of young 7

To this question we would answer Ill, as it has been done, and is

being done. but a considerable risk is involved and we would not ad- vocate it unless under conditions that could not otherwise be helped. Some females are of a very quiet nature. and if carefully handled it does not seem to put them out very much to be shifted around, but,

t0

failures and

tatlon. it ‘ma: t.‘ quite safe w ship the female, but the risk is 08r- tainly very great at any other time.

Some Interesting Fox

For the next several issues tho writ-Br will present a series of very interesting articles reserdlns the fox and other fur bearers. The fol- lowing is the first of the series. _

Owing to their habit of sloeplfl! during daylight hours and roamlnl abroad only at night which pre- cludes the chance of their beins seen alive by but few, fur-bearlnB animals live their lives in B 1181B o! apparently impenetrable mys- tery, the source of considerable in- terest, many diverse opinions, val‘- led views and nlisconceptions.

Because of the mystery in which their lives are involved, necessarily enveloped for their protection and perpetuation, many tales are told

regarding their manner of living, physical and mental characteristics achievements, and‘ much more-tales in numerous in- stances tnle to nature. but more often mere outgivings of a redun- dant imagination.

The facts, plainly told, are more

interesting and illuminating, than tho wildest exaggerations, meant to be entertaining, which fall to be impressive because of their manl- fest unreason.

NOSES The olfactory nerves are marvel-

ously alert in all fur-bearing ani-

mals, and become operative second only to the act of breathing; all are born in dark dens, many with closed eyes, and consequently dis- cover their inltial breakfast and several subsequent repasts by the sense of smell. This sense, natur- ally powerful, is unquestionably greatly developed, as are the other senses. in the course of the life of the particular anmal in conseq- uence of its experienced utility: but it is not developed to an equal de- gree in animals o l species. or in all of the same pecles. 'I‘he dog, which is mostly highly trained. has s keener sense of scent than any of the wild animals. none of which places more than partial depend- ence upon the sense of smell, seem- ingly considering sight and hear- ing more efficient.

Many trapper-s believe that a fox which has never seen a man or at the most not more than once and then at a considerable distance. can detect the odor left by human hands upon a steel trap set several

hours before the fox visits it, and

that the sly animal cannot be caught in a trap thus tainted with human scent. In order to notice an odor, human or unhuman, so lightly and remotely impressed upon steel the fox with the most acute sense of smell would have to sniff the metal at close range; actually touch it with the tip of its nose, and in doing so would, nine times out of ten, spring the trap and got caught. not by a foot, the usual way, but by the nose.

Trappers who believe this human scent legend, assert that traps should be set only with gloved hands: but no one has arisen to state at what period or in what manner the fox acquired a definite knowledge of human scent, or learned to effectively differentiate it from the odor of all old and var- iously used glove.

The sense of smell, being the pri- mary active sense, is undoubtedly of extreme importance to practi- cally all animals, but observation impruses the convictiomthat its efficiency is considerably exagger- ated. It is not creditable to human lntellgence to suppose that scent from the foot of a rabbit or fox lightly touching the ground for not more than a second of time should remain for hours in sufficient strength to be readily perceptible to another and unlike animal. While we are certain that this remarkable foot-odor remains for some time

and is noticeable to animals, the,

dog and others in whom the sense o1 smell is not the only faculty es- sentially exercised by the pursuer in tracking the pursued-the eyes

of the former are importantly de-P pended upon in the chase, particu-I

larly in patient, plodding hunters such as the hound—felines_ which crouch and surprise, chlPily rely upon the sense of sight; speedy hunters depend upon ears and feet: preylng animals of every species. and those preyed upon. use to the utmost every sense, sinew and muscle.

During the fear-inspired run for life the fer-t of the fleeing fox or hare make distinct impressions. marks and scratches in the soft ground, damp leaves, moss and grass over which they pass, which impressions and marks are fairly visible to the keen sight of the trailer, and the senses of smell and sight operating concurrently en- able the pursuing hunter to trace the course of its quarry almost un- erringly. The observing sportsman has noticed that at times even his most dependable dogs have lost the scent on rocky places, or rather large areas covered with very dry leaves; the odor of the feet of the rabbit n;- fox was not lessened or otherwise affected during the rapid passage o! the animals over these places; the scent may have been more quickly dissipated, but was lost, as the dog "following the track" best knnwns, because the bounding feet of the escaping ani- mals left no characteristic mark upon the surface of the rocks or ex- tremely hard ground, and made no

even then, they are of s peculiar, particular change, scratch or form,

make-up, and will sometimes re- spond to a certain kind of treat- ment and at other times fool you.

the sq early stages of ges-

in the "lay" of the very dry leaves.

which might not have been effected

by a passing zephyr. (Continued

mliafllfl,

helt being most the growth of the fllngus. Experi- ments conducted at tile Dominion Field Laboratory of Plant Pathology at Fredericton, N. B., show that cucmber scab can be checked by thorouhly spraying with Bordeaux mixture composed of 3 pounds of copper sulphate, 8 pounds o! hy- drated lime and 40 gallons of wat- er. All surfaces of the stems, leav- es and fruit should be thoroughly covered with the fungicide in order to ensure the highest degree of protection. The begin before the disease and be repeated at intervals ofatoi days until the end of the season. A sprayer capable of delivering a fine spray at a high pressure is recommended for Bordeaux mixture. Owing to the fact that diseased vine; and fruit may serve as qerlcles for carrying over the disease during the winter months, such refuse should be rc- moved from the field and burned or buried deeply in the soil. Fur- ther information on this subject can be obtained upon request from the nearest Dominion Plant Path- ologist laboratory.

Experimental

Control Of

Cucumber Scab

(Experimental Farms Note)

During certain seasons cucumber

scab serves as an important limit-

ing factor in the production of cucumbers in Eastern Canada. This disease is caused by a funk"! Whit-h

attacks the stems. leaves and fruit.

Affected leaves and stems develop light green water-soaked spots which eventually take on a brown- ish yellow colour. Ln severe cases extensive portions of the stems and leaves may become affected. Early stages on the fruit appear as small 'I‘hn

gray slightly sunken areas. canker thus formed becomes dark- er with age and more depressed

until a, pronounced cavity is form- I dark green velvety layer composed] of a mass of the fungus. From this! arise minute sporesl which are capable of reproducing disease when brought into contact

ed. This cavity is lined with

green layer

with healthy plants- The disease i! spread largely by wind and rain. sometimes drops o! a watery sub~ stance arise from the conkers. The cankers usually range from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch in diameter and may in severe cases involve the greater part of!

the surface of the fruit. The dis-

ease develops more readily when

warm, humid conditions obtain, 2-

tempcrature of ‘l’! degrees Fahren- satisfactory for

spraying should appears

applying the

Farm Notes

GENERAL IJMIPR-OVENIENT Nothing so adds to the general improvement of the farm home- stead as a coat of paint or white- wash on the buildings. Frequently time is found for such work in the interval immediately following hay- ing operations, and appreciating the fact that many farmers do not'_see

Essay by Clifford Perry of the Tignish ' Calf Club

1-To Mjfielf: As Ngard to my- self this Boys and Girls Club work has indeed done me a lot cf good- It has taught rne how to take care of my cattle. in keeping them clean and in good order. Not like before I joined it keeping them in a dirty place and. not caring what they looked like. As a fact last spring I had two little calves‘. I took both oi’ them and put them in a little cor- ner in the barn and left them there. the reason beng I didn't know the difference but as soon as I joined the club I got them out of there

quickly and put them where it was clean and well bedded. I brought one to the exhibition. Got no first second or third prize but was glad to receive a $2.00 bill for a prize which helped me.

2—-To the Farm: Since this Club work was started it has done a great deal of good to our farm. As to ab; cattle, since we started feed- lng and watering them regularly the cows give more milk and rich- er so we make more butter to sell. A5 to the manure it is also richer so it rlchens the soll for better crops. If we have good crops it is more likely we will have a, better chance in selling them and having better prices. At the exhibition last fall I got first prize for wheat and first prize for oats. You see them- fore this club work must have done a lot of good to our farm.

3—Tn the family and home: As regard to our family and home it has given us an idea how to farm and work, makes us healthy for we work in the fresh air and a lot more, we eat some home made bread 0f our own wheat.

wholesome milk. Butter and cream

is richer now since I learn how to feed my cattle. so we can't help

but get fat and healthy. And the,

la horse mowerio stimulate grazing.

money received from the Exhibi- tion coma in handy too. So we cant help but say that this club work has done us a lot of good’ i-To the community and its cit- izenship: As to our community it brings us all together at meetings,

‘young and old. so we can talk over

our work which is a help to all of us. And it also teaches us how to

ways learn some good news about

the farm at meetings. As to citlz-l

enship, this club bring; a lot of cit-

Cereal Crops For Annual Pasture

Interesting data on ceioal 811111 crops for annual pasture are given in the Juno number of Scientilc Alri- culture as a result of irrveatlilimbfli by nrxil-k, Dominion Asrosiologlet. Ottawa, J. C. Davlson, asiaiant superintendent, Dominion Ebllierimr e-ntal Farm. Indian l-Ieed, 8esk.,and SN. Hamilton, Division oi’ Chem- istry, Ottawa. It is pointed out that annual pasture crops are important in most parts of Canada, and mat, while the superiority of oats as the one best annual hay crop has been generally recognized throughout Canada. it is not so clearly apprec- iated that oat: ans also the best ann- ual pasture crop. The data submitted in Scientific Agriculture supports theviewthat the oatscropis even more valuable for pastu. than for

There are certain questions re- lating to the use of cereal grains for pasture that have not been investi- gated. Definite information is lack- ing on the relative productivity and rvutnient value of the different cer- mls. It is not known which of them has the greatest power of re-grourth after having been out off and which of them will produce the greatest number of pasture crops in a single season. several other quutlons also require answering. What is the best time to begin posturing? How does the percentage of protein in the herbage compare at different stages of growth? will the frmh young growth provide a high protein feed as in the case with perennial grasses. and, if so, is the total seasonal yield of protein satsfactory Are the

results better with early than with

ileaf stage; (2)

speak in public at meetings. We al-g

late seeding, and how do the differ- ent cereal crops compare in this

drinkrlespoct?

In order to answer these quest- ions, an experiment wag started in spring of 1932 at the Dommion Ex- perimental Fann. Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Your cereals were

grown, namely, oats, barley. wheat,

and spring rye. ‘These were out with

Provision was made for five plots of each cereal, clippng lo begin at different stages of growth at (l) 2- 5-leaf: (3) short blade; (4) early heading: (5) full headed. and as orten thereafter as the growth reached 7 to 8 inches. These measurements refer to the leaf mass, and the following is the summary of the results obtained.

lzens to our meetings which en- Oats, barlov. wheat, and spring rye

courages us for they explain in many ways the work of farmers. .'>—l"rom an economic standpoint:

As regards to No. 5, the club has<

made it possible for me to make more more money in this way since I am keeping my cows clean and feeding them regular

richer. So we have more cream and

make more butter to sell. The cal-i

ves, well it does not cost much to feed and keep them clean, so I run a chance exhibitions. d making money when the calves become cows we can sell them for "beef" or dairy

their way clear to assume the costi in "'5" l0 bu)’ equipment that W111

of painting buildings, there is given below several recipes for the mixing of satisfactory lime washes, or what is more commonly called white- wash.

(a) l. Dissolve fifteen pounds of common salt in seven and one-half gallons of water. 2. Slowly add one sack of hydrated lime, stirring vig- orously. 3. Thin to a milk-like con- sisteney with water.

(b) .1. Make a paste of one sack of hydrated lime and seven gallons of water. 2. Dissolve one pound 0i common salt and one-half pound of zinc-sulphate in one gallon c! boiling water and allow this to cool. 8. Pour solution 2 in to solution 1. a little at a time. stirring vigorous- ly. 4. Stir in two gallons of skim

milk.

(c) l. Make a cream of one sack

of hydrated lime and seven gallons

of water. 2. Dissolve six pounds ti salt in three gallons of boiling water. 3. Mix 1 and 2 when cold. 4. Stir in three pounds of Portland cement.

(a) and (b) as above are suitable

for outdoor work, as sheds, fences,

etc. (c) is suitable for outside work;

cattle development.

have a greater earning power. It has added a lot of value to our livestock on the farm.

6-To the livestock industry. As regards to livestock. well, this club at meetings gives us an idea how to start with purebred cattle, so we can in this way buy pure bred cat-

we may later on buy lots of other things we need in order to some labour and borrowing.

and giving , them clean water their milk is.

gpmtein content of 25 per cent. This Rs the equivalent to a greater carry. tle and in selling the dairy products‘ l Bl"! Brass sod. Young cans herbage may

i be regarded as

were compared with reference w yeld. feeding value, and utllimtion as annual pasture crops. With re- spect to yield of dry matter per acre and percentage of protein. oats were always superior to barley, followed in order by wheat and spring nye. In total average yield of protein per acre from the early seeding, oats ex- ceeded barley by 54 per cent, wheat by 96 P61- Ceflii, and spring rye by ll2