8 Feb., 1907.] A Milk-Producing District. 97 



The majority of the farmers raise and fatten their own pigs, and many 

 are the ideas expressed as to tlieir housing accommodation, which varies all 

 the way from a full complement of fresh air and ventilation in raised log 

 styes, to close confinement in darkened sheds. However, as long as suit- 

 able food is given, and reasonable cleanliness observed, the pigs appear 

 to fatten sufficiently fast in any class of stye which satisfies the ideas of 

 individual owners. 



The cattle in the hilly country are exceptionally sound, a blind quarter 

 or any sign of disease being rarely met with. To some extent this may 

 be accounted for by the stock being almost all locally raised, cows passing 

 through sale-yards or dealers' hands seldom finding their way here. 



As a rule, the settlers are fairly well posted in advanced methods of 

 farming — manuring, draining, rotation of crops, pruning, spraying, &c., all 

 current topics being intelligently discussed. There is further a considerable 

 amount of good-fellowship towards each other displayed, in that, should 

 accident or illness seriously interfere with any one's work, a day is 

 appointed by the neighbours for a working-bee to repair the misfortune. 

 It has been found that by these acts of friendship the workers themselves 

 are in no way the losers, since the gatherings present splendid oppor- 

 tunities tor the discussion of various subjects of mutual interest, and the 

 knowledge gained therefrom more than repavs the time spent in rendering 

 such neighbourly assistance. 



The Advantage of Recording Yields. 



In considering the various phases of milk farming, as presented by a 

 comparison of the herds of the district and their management, the one 

 point that stands far out from all others is the disadvantage the herds 

 labour under through not having the inferior milkers culled out. Every 

 other item of management appears insignificant when compared with this 

 often spoken of, and y/et much neglected, matter. In this, as in every 

 dairying centre, there are some farms where culling is regularly practised. 

 In consequence, these farms show much increased returns per cow, but 

 their number is lamentably small. A practical dairyman cannot afford to 

 overlook the fact that, no matter how. high-class their breeding, there are 

 some cows that are not profitable to keep as milkers ; and, only- by the 

 systematic checking of the results from each, can these be discovered. 

 Occasionally may be met a man who mentally retains such a close know- 

 ledge of his stock and their individualities that he can give them in detail 

 at a moment's notice. But very few: men possess, this gift ; therefoire,^ for 

 the average farmer there is no mo re sure, road to the improvement of , his 

 herd than by keeping complete written records of their individual milk 

 production and their breeding. He" must follow up the keeping of records 

 by weeding out those cows shown to be inferior as milk producers, and 

 must also rear for milking purposes onlv the calves from the best cows. 

 The marking down of the milk yields of each cow on sheets, which may 

 be procured for 6d. per dozen from the Department, or from any of the 

 supervisors, does not take up much time, and the interest that is awakened 

 in the doings of the herd, and the profitable and reliable knowledge that 

 is gained is ample compensation. 



In starting to breed or improve a milking herd, too many farmers think 

 they have done all that is necessary if they have purchased a pure bred 

 bull with a stud pedigree. This is certainly a step in the right direction, 

 but there is more to- be dwie. Purity of blood in a bull is of com- 



155. D 



