lo Feb., 1911-] Colac Dairy Farm Comfetiiion. 



93 



Mr. Dare i.s the only competitor who con.sistently practises hand- 

 feeding during those months when the pasture is at its worst ; and, in 

 <:on.sequence, his cows easily lead in the matter of production. Even 

 he, however, has not yet taken on silage making ; without which no sys- 

 tem of dairy farm feeding can be considered complete. This owner has 

 the largest area of land under cultivation. All the work of this farm 

 is done by Mr. Dare and his family. As this means some six or seven pairs 

 of hands to distribute the work amongst w^hen necessary, the labour problem, 

 which is a matter of great moment with many other dairymen in the busy 

 season, does not present any drawbacks to dairying on this farm. 



Less had been done in regard to improving the pasture by sowing 

 grasses on Mr. }»IcGarvie's farm than on the others; while Mr. Mere- 

 dith's luxuriant paddocks of strawberry clover and rye grass were all 

 that could be desired. 



Mr. McGarvie holds steadil} to Jersey bulls in breeding up his herd; 

 and Mr. Meredith as consistently holds to the Shorthorn. Messrs. 

 Morrissey and Dare use both Ayrshire and Shorthorn bulls indiscrimi- 

 nately with their cows, w-hich does not tend towards evenness in either 

 appearance or production. 



Both Messrs. McGarvie and Dare are doing good work in keeping 

 individual records and tests of their cows ; and both have some very 

 good butter-producers in their heads. Mr. McGarvie sends the most 

 of his milk direct to Melbourne for retail distribution ; and has a small 

 refrigerating plant, which allows of his dairy pro'luce being handled to 

 its very best advantage. 



On all the farms, the fencing, gates, and roads were well kept ; and 

 the appearance and condition of the homesteads reflected great credit on 

 the respective owners. Mr. Morrissey's vegetable garden was kept in 

 exceptional order, and is ])roductive far beyond the requirements of the 

 family and employes. 



I- or lilt' best managid dairy farm oi 50 co;cs and ttndrr. 

 John Meredith ... 349 points, ist. | Thos. Dare ... 310 points, 2nd. 



For the best managed dairy farm of over t,o cows. 

 \Vm. .\Ii ( •.irvie ... 324 points, ist. [ 1. 1'. Morriss(M . . jos pninis. 2nd. 



Best Avrshirr btiH. I 1^. Morrissev. 

 Jiest Yorhshirr boar, J. V. Morrissey. | /vm/ Berkshire bear. Ihos. Dan-. 



