lo Nov., 191 1.] Dairying in the South Gifpsland Hill Country. 743 



right angles and finally in the centre. Finding the right length i.s about 

 the most important part of the operation. By applying the formula given 

 for finding the length of circles this should not be difficult. The 

 dimensions of iron used will be determined by the size of pipe. 



{To be continued.^ 



DAIRYING IX THE SOUTH GIPPSLAXD HILL COUNTRY. 



//. C. Churches, Dairy Supervisor. 



Amongst farmers in the Northern Districts, more especially those whose 

 attention is devoted chiefly to wheat-growing, the word Gippsland is almost 

 synonymous with cows am] abundance of green pastures. That this 

 opinion is well founded, as far as South (Jippsland is concerned, is borne 

 out by the fact that in the Wccrayl shire alone there are upwards of 

 16,000 dairy cows. 



Without further explanation, it may appear to the reader that the 

 whole of this district is given up entirely to dairying. That this is not 

 so is easily proved by the vast numbers of fat cattle that are weekly for- 

 warded to the Melbouri:e market. Then again, as the land is cleared, 

 onion-growing and potato-growing are taken up with much enthusiasm. 

 Dairying has, nevertheless, become the staple industry, for here, as is 

 the case in most newly broken-up country, the cow is not only the settler's 

 I'riend, but his most valuable asset. Great credit must be given the 

 pioneer settlers, for it is entirely due to their indomitable pluck and per- 

 severance that the conquest of this hilly country was made. As an in- 

 stance of what has been done in this respect the farm of Mr. A. Lund- 

 strum is a typical e.xample. 



This farm is situated on the Mirboo-road, a few miles north of Fester, 

 and was selected by the present owner about 2t^ years ago. It com- 

 prises an area of 90 acres of typical Gippsland hill country. The timber 

 on the place was chiefly blackbutt, blackwocd, mu.sk, and hazel .scrub. 

 When it is realized that many of the blackbutt trees were 300 feet in 

 lieight, some idea of the labour involved in clearing may be obtained. 



To-day, the whole of this farm is under grasses and clovers, and carries 

 a herd of 24 dairy cows of high grade Jersey type, besides young stock. 

 This dairv herd calls for more than passing comment. Mr. Tundstrum 

 has evidently been an admirer of the Jer.sey for a number of vears. Bv 

 careful management, he has e'-fablished a herd that he mav well be proud. 

 At the local annual show, under the Agricultural Societv, his cow 

 " Queenie" was successful last year in carrying off the first prize in the 

 butter fat competition. 



Some years ago, the Jersey was almost a despi.sed breed in this rough 

 <-ountrv. but now there is quite a demand for Jersev blood. Generally 

 sjieaking. this excellent dairy breed has the reputation of requiring to he 

 p im[)ered. Tt has, however, been proved that the Jersev. when bred here, 

 ran well hold its own in adverse conditions against all comers, and will 

 respond m(;re rearlilv to favourable conditions. Tht> htrd under notice 

 has been bred \\\) from the ordinarv (■'•ossbrcfl ccnvs, which were '" picked 

 up " anywh<'re to commence dairying. A pure Jersev bull has always 

 Iwen used, thr one at prej-ent on the farm being of the Werribee Park 

 strain. .\s each vear arlds its quota of heifers, most <,f the cows are 

 voung. Last year, although there were six two vear dlds in the her<!. 

 the return fr* m crram alom- rr.di/fd onlv .1 trifl.' s'lort of /"o per hc.id 



