8 May, 1907.] Dairying under Drfficiilties. 293 



but from which fair returns are obtained in most instances. It is here, and 

 in the valleys previouslv mentioned, that the principal dairy farms are 

 situated. Fruit growing may perhaps be said to be the principal occupa- 

 tion of the majority of the residents. Many of the orchardists, ho\ve\er. 

 also milk a few cows, and, as a sequence, pig raising and fattening to a 

 limited extent are also engaged in. 



The Dairy Cows. 



Most of the cattle are raised on the farms, and the separator is in 

 almost universal use where there is work for it. Excepting for the use of 

 this machine, which in many cases has but recently been purchased, the 

 dairying methods and accommodation are \ery primitive. Practically no 

 records of milk or butter production are kept, and comparatively few cows 

 are met with that would suggest that much thought had been given 'to their 

 breeding or selection. Still, as the majority of the bulls are pure bred, and 

 as the general expressed intention is towards better stock, some noticeable 

 improvement in the future ma\ lie anticipated. Some of the old estab- 

 lished herds of the shire, however, show that general evenness and quality 

 that are usually characteristic of a paying dairy farm. As in other neigh- 

 bouring districts the principal cream suppliers' stock generally show more 

 or less of the Jersey ; the notable exception being Mrs. Quinn, of Lyster- 

 field, whose herd of 80 head is the largest amongst those who are using 

 the separator regularlv. Together with the tw'o Largest milk suppliers, viz., 

 the Salvation Army farm at Bayswater, and Messrs. Selman Bros., of 

 Pern Tree Gully, whose herds also' average about 80 head, this owner is, 

 judging from the cattle, more in favour of the A\rshire Ivreed. For number, 

 evenness, and quality combined, Messrs. Selman Bros.' Willow Vale Ayrshire 

 herd stands alone in the shire ; the farm itself viewed from the surrounding 

 hills as it lies in a beautiful fertile valley is really a picture. Mr. Allan 

 Selman of Blackwood Park also has a select herd of some 20 milking 

 A\rshires in which he has developed udder capacity and size of teats well 

 on towards perfection. Mr. Cecil Davies of Bayswater, who is a new- 

 comer to this district, has brought with him some high-class Jersey stock 

 that should prove of great value in assisting to raise the general grade of 

 dairy cattle in the neighbourhood ; for, in addition to the distribution that 

 \s\\\ be effected by the prospective sale of young stock, he has generously 

 agreed to allow the service of his stud bulls to those about him at a reason- 

 able fee. This owner is exceptional here as one who keeps individual 

 records of the work of his cows. 



Amongst the smaller dairies those of Mrs. Nickless, and Messrs. Monk, 

 Friberg, and Pigdon of Fern Tree Gullv, and Grant of Monbulk, show 

 results which though not in themselves surprising are still well in ad\ance 

 of those generally obtained by the farmers in the shire, being from 15 tO' 17 

 lbs. of cream weekly per cow' in January. Mrs. Nickless, wdth nine cow^s on 

 40 acres, 3 acres being cultivated for green stuff, and 27 in grass with a 

 running creek frontage, has succeeded up to the stage of having bred an 

 even lot of crossbreds bearing something of the old Alderne\ in appearance, 

 and returning 150 lbs. of cream weekly. Mrs. Dobson of Baysw-ater and 

 Mr. T. Dobson of Scoresby have also well-cared-for herds of some 20 

 head that give fair returns. There is a milkiniz machine in use at Mr. G. 

 W. Chalmers' farm at Upper Fern Tree Gully. This owner states that he 

 had difficulty with hired labour, but is now^ able to put through his 32 cow^s 

 in 1 1 hours, and be satisfied that the milking is done properly. A double 



