24 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 Jan., 1907. 



weather could not be gauged. In allotting the maximum number of points 

 in this section to Messrs. Dufty and Son, I do not wish to imply anv lack 

 of provision on the part of Messrs. Batson and Crouch, but the former 

 gentlemen have more windmills and troughs on their property, and their 

 dams are, if anything, of slightly larger capacity and better located than 

 in the two latter cases. The domestic or house supply of water is a matter 

 that calls for comment. However good dam water may be the catchment 

 from an iron roof is better for human drinking and cooking purposes ; in 

 each case ample provision is made for a house supply, by means of the 

 ordinary galvanized iron and underground tanks. 



{K) Best Arrangement and System of Dwelling and Farm Buildings — 20 

 Points Maximum. — In this detail Messrs. Dufty and Son are better situated 

 than the other competitors. A typical farm homestead, commodious and well 

 furnished, surrounded by its garden and orchard, shaded by well grown 

 trees, easy of access to the farm outbuildings, it would be difficult to find 

 a more useful or elegant home. Mr. Batson's homestead is on a smaller 

 scale, but of no less attractiveness, while that of Mr. Crouch — both inside 

 and out — reflects the progressive farmer. 



In the matter of outbuildings, Messrs. Dufty and Son have, perhaps, the 

 greatest number, but in construction and design there is little to choose 

 between the competitors. Large pole sheds, with thatch roofs, are without 

 doubt serviceable, cheap to construct, cool, &c., but they cannot by any 

 stretch of imagination be called elegant. To mv mind, this class of farm 

 outbuilding represents a regime that is past, and where it is possible to do 

 so, they might with advantage be replaced with more modern buildings 

 with iron roofs and latticed sides. 



The planting of sugar gums about the yards and the excavation of a 

 pit for the stable manure are two matters worthy of attention. A silo for 

 the conservation of surplus green feed, or else to be used for storage of 

 chaff or grain should be an additional feature to every homestead in the 

 Wimmera. 



Best Farm of over 100, but not exceeding 640 acres. 



There were only 3 competitors in this class, which is to be regretted, 

 as there are any number of farms which could conform to the conditions. 

 On the small farms the judge does not look for the same scope of opera- 

 tions, nor does he expect to find the same outlay in machinery, stock, &c., 

 as is demanded in the larger farms — hence the number of competitors should 

 be larger. It is not always the size of a man's operations that places him 

 in the front of his neighbours, but rather the general manner in which the 

 property is worked. 



The details on which the awards were made are identical with those 

 ruling for the large farms: — 



