Text 11. Fertilizing, weeding and combating pests

Fertilizer саn bе distributed during the winter or shortly before seeding time. Commercial fertilizers аге commonly distributed, along with seeds, bу drills and planters. Manure is distributed most efficiently bуа manure spreader.

After crops have begun to grow, а cultivator is used to destroy weeds and loosen and aerate the soil. А flame weeder, which producesа hot-air blast, can bе used to destroy weeds growing around crops, such as cotton, that have stems of tough bark. The weeds аrе vulnerable to the hot air, but the tough stems protect the crops from damage. Chemical herbicides applied in the form of а spray or as granules аrе used extensively for weed control.

Insecticides for pest control аrе applied to soil and crops in the form оf granules, dust, or liquid sprays. А variety of mechanical spraying and dusting equipment is used to spread chemicals оn crops and fields; the machinery may bе self-powered, or drawn and powered bуа tractor. Aircrafts аrе sometimes used to dust or spray pesticides in areas where large crops of vegetables and grain аrе grown.

Chemical pesticides аrе used in nearly all farming operations. However, increasing concern over the harmful effects which pesticides mау have оn the environment has led to the use of alternative forms оf pest control. For example, farmers use crop rotation. Certain pestsаrе controlled bу introducing аn organism that kills them. Some crops аrе being genetically engineered to bе mоrе resistant to pests.

Text 12. Poultry farming and other branches of animal husbandry

Poultry-farming constitutes a distinct branch of animal husbandry and there are many farms specially going in for the breeding of domestic fowl. Hens, geese, ducks and turkeys are bred here. The modern method of hatching chicks is not so much letting the hen brood on the eggs, but mostly to use incubators, which proves far more efficient. Feeding hoppers have also become regular poultry-farm practice, finding much the same application as in stock-sheds, piggeries, etc.

Poultry is partly bred for meat, down and feathers, but, above all, for eggs.

Eggs represent a cheap source of high quality protein for human consumption. The modern poultry industry producing eggs includes the use of specially bred birds, highly specialized feeds together with new housing and management techniques.

Efficient chicken production is one of the cheapest and most economical means of producing highly nutritious tender lean meat. Over the past decade improvements in performance and efficiency have been substantial.

The stock available to the chicken industry is selected particularly for high growth rate and survival capacity. They are further characterized by their attractive carcass conformation and a high meat-bone ratio.

For efficient control and economy in operation everything is fully integrated so that the activities of chicken breeding units, hatcheries, chicken (meat) producing units and processing stations are maintained in effective balance.

In addition, the feeding stuff requirement of an industry with a defined volume of output can be accurately planned on a long term basis.

To-day well-managed egg farms consistently achieve very high outputs.

A modern poultry farm comprises the following sections:

1) breeding units where the chicks are bred; 2) hatcheries where day-old pullets are obtained; 3) broiler production and rearing units, or 4) egg-laying units for laying hens; 5) stations for the disposal of breeders at the end of the laying cycle. Attached to the whole installation, there must also be a feeding stuff compounding mill for preparing the feed which, besides grain, proteins and vitamins, may also contain poultry offals.

The correct implementation of a proper technique enables layers to be kept all the year round, thus ensuring an even supply of eggs at all times. Also by keeping the birds in an environment conducive to the efficient utilization of the layer food, the bird is allowed more nearly to reach its genetic potential.

Some other branches of animal husbandry are: reindeer- breeding, rabbit-breeding, camel-breeding and, of course, horse-breeding at studs, though the use of horses and other types of draft cattle is being to a certain extent discontinued, tractors doing most of the work on the fields.

Not quite of secondary importance is apiculture, since, besides yielding honey and wax, it also contributes to pollination.