392 Journal of Agriculture. [8 July, 1907. 



intelligent and progressive methods of feeding, rugging, winter shelter, 

 and general treatment. 



The marked falling off in supplies after the month of March shows 

 that to a lamentable extent our dairy farmers have done very little to 

 prolong the period of lactation by conserving the surplus growths of spring 

 in the shape of ensilage, or hay, or by cultivating green summer fodders 

 such as maize and sorghum, or autumn root crops, mangolds, beet, &c. 

 Those who could show that they had honestly attempted to grow or pro- 

 vide summer fodder but had failed for the want of rain would deserve 

 sympathy, but the striking and successful exceptions to be met with in 

 every district only serve to point and emphasize the moral. 



The yield of maize, cabbage, or other fodder is of course not so heavy 

 as in favorable seasons but still from two-thirds to three-fourths full crop 

 is not uncommon and those who secure it not only maintain the flow of milk 

 but — what is of far greater importance — preserve the health and condi- 

 tion of their cattle so that thev may weather the winter successfully, and 

 enter the new season in full profit. This matter demands earnest and 

 immediate attention. At the moment it is regrettable to hear of dairy 

 cattle in certain places dying of starvation and it is well worthy of con- 

 sideration whether the recent suggestion of a friend of mine that " any 

 man permitting cows to starve should be punished for crueltv to animals " 

 should not be adopted. 



Foundation of Successful Dairying. 



A consistent system of testing individual cows in each herd by weighing 

 and recording yields is the foundation of success and everv dairyman who 

 has done this has succeeded far bevond his most sanguine expectations. 

 The Government Statist's return for 1899 indicates that records were sup- 

 plied him from 164,238 cows whilst in the year 1905 returns for only 

 75>727 cows were made available. It would appear therefore that the 

 practice of definitely recording the quantity and quality of milk given by 

 herds is declining notwithstanding the Agricultural Department's constant 

 recommendations to the contrary. It is remarkable that the second 

 highest average return is recorded in the Gunbower district where there 

 is an annual average rainfall of about 12 inches only; this good return 

 is no doubt largely due to the adoption of irrigation in the district referred 

 to. Absolutely the lowest returns are those from the counties of Tambo 

 and Follett where a rainfall of 30 and 25 inches respectively is recorded. 

 Our climate would therefore appear to be too favorable in one respect 

 and not severe enough in another. Were either regular periods of drought 

 or severely cold winters the rule, people would be compelled to conserve 

 fodder or grow summer or winter crops and provide shelter in order to 

 carry on at all. 



The total production of butter in Victoria for the season is approxi- 

 mately 75,288,640 lbs. or 33,611 tons worth ;^3,5oo,ooo, of which 

 20,883 tons exported, at iocs, per cwt. c.i.f., realized ^2,088,300. 



The cheese production for the last year was 4,297,350 lbs. or 1,918 

 tons, worth ^"107,433, of which ^^26,896 worth was exported. 



The milk produced for consumption in the natural state and concen- 

 tration amounted to 30,633,130 gallons or ^^733, 418 in value of which 

 ^36,142 worth was exported. 



The value of milk, butter and cheese produced totalled ^4,340,851, 

 and the portion exported realized, including expense of conveying to 

 market, i;2, 15 1,338. 



