TO Oct., 1911.] Closer Scttlcmoit Studies. 691 



in the rough-cleared state previously referred to; and is being used for 

 grazing dairy stock. This paddock of 4^ acres was also in grass until 

 2 years ago; since then, Messrs. Foster Bros., working on shares with the 

 owner, Mr. J. Greenaway. ha\-e taken two crops of onions oft' it without 

 using any fertilizer. 



The crop just harvested was a remarkably fine one; the bulbs being of 

 good uniform size and evenly matured. From the 4J acres, 1,100 bags 

 of first class onions were forwarded to Melbourne, and a few more bags 

 were sold locally. This amounts to approximately a 20-ton per acre crop. 

 In several jjlaces on the Southern line, large piles of bagged onions are to 

 be seen on similar small areas awaiting transport ; showing that this crop 

 is becoming popular throughout the district. 



Much difterence of opinion exists in regard to the marketing of this 

 crop in the early part of some .seasons when prices are low. At such times, 

 the feeling generally is that it pays to hold the onions till later in the 

 \ear when prices improve. Discussing this matter once with a grower of 

 long experience, he mentioned that he always marketed his crop as soon as 

 it was ready, irrespective of price. In the market one day he was taken 

 to task over this by se\"eral of his neighbours, who considered he fre- 

 quently lost money by selling in a cheap market. He replied by challeng- 

 ing them to show that they made more per acre out of their onions than 

 he did ; and, when the account-sales were compared, he was on the right 

 side. 



He supported his system of marketing from many points. Being only 

 a small farmer, ready money was an item for consideration with him. 

 Also, no matter how good a crop might be when first bagged, there would 

 always be some to throw out if they were held over for any time ; and the 

 loss from such rejects was at times considerable. The cost of picking over 

 and re-bagging stored onions was also an important item. Again, if the 

 season were fa\ourable and the onions kept well, the expected rise in price 

 more than probably would not follow. Altogether, he showed that a quick 

 sale at current prices for all he grew gave a better cash return per acre 

 than his neighbours obtained bv taking chances on market fluctuations. 



The asi)ect is the same in dealing with almost any crop on a small 

 scale. If it can be sold straight off when harvested the cost of handling 

 is at the minimum, and no chances are taken on loss through deterioration. 

 Thf man with capital behind him may possibly afford to gamble a little 

 with his prdduce; but. almost inxariably, the small grower will come out 

 best on the immediate sale system. 



PUMPKINS AND DAIRYING. 



About a mile finni the Ttjora station, the railway line pas.ses through 

 the farm of Mr. k. H. Downing. 'J'his iiroi>erty is workeil as a dairy 

 farm on the share system by Mr. ('has. I-ousada and family; milking an 

 average of 65 cows the vear through. The cream is sent to the Foster 

 butter factory ; and tlie skim milk is u>ed in raising and fattening the 

 progenv of 9 brood sows. H.iv and mai/e are grown for the dairy herd ; 

 and the silo is made use ot in conserving surplus fodder for winter use. 

 Potat(K-s, peas, and ]unn])kins are grown to provide the bulk of the s<')lid 

 food for the pig-^. 



The pumjikin crop this vear on thi-> t.inn was a particularly fme one. 

 i'ldni two ;i\ei;m<' >eitions of the 1.'. a( ic paddoc'k, a total of 444 s(|. 

 yards was nieasuicil olT. and the piun[)kins thereon were counted. On this 



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