8 Oct., 1907.] 



Progressive Dairy Farms. 



597 



of what can be achieved by reasonable care without making the work 

 laborious. 



Another example of results obtained solely from proper care of milking 

 stock is to be seen on the farm of jMr. C. Govett of St. Albans, near 

 Geelong. There are 800 acres subdivided into some 20 paddocks ; 40 

 acres are sown for hay which is not used for the dairy stock. Four acres 

 of maize and 5 of lucerne were cut and fed tO' the cattle in the paddock. 

 The grazing paddocks are laid down in English grass and well sheltered 

 by hedges. No rugging, housing or manger feeding is done. 



The returns for cream supplied to the Geelong Butter Factory for the 

 year 1906 amounted to ^1,345 12s. 3d. or an average of ^12 9s. 2d. per 

 head of the 108 cows. Besides rearing the heifer calves, a number of 

 pigs are raised and fattened on the farm as an adjunct to the dairying. 

 The noteworthy part of this return is that until some three years ago Mr. 

 Govett was unable to obtain an eflficient dairvman to take charge of this 



HOUSING DAIRY CATTLE. 



branch of the farm ; and as the herd was not paying its working expenses, 

 the owner was contemplating turning his attention solely to grazing, when 

 he met his present manager, Mr. Lucas, with the above result to date. 

 Up to the present only rough culling has been practised. The cattle have 

 all been tested as to the butter-fat contents of their milk, but no systematic 

 recording of their individual yields has been carried out. However, 

 the encouraging results of the past season have created a desire for im- 

 provement bv everv possible means, and increased returns without additional 

 outlay are anticipated, so this testing of individual merit is to be made 

 full use of. 



The five hulls on the farm are Jersevs and are descendants of " Angler's 

 Bo'v." Two of these stand out as typical sires of the breed, possessing 

 both show and milking points. The cows are Jerseys, Shorthorns, Avrshires 

 and crosses, and the heifers and younger cows show the Jersey blood 

 largely. 



