744 JouniaL oj Agricnliure , Victoria. [lo Nov., 191 1. 



In the early days of settlement, in fact, until recent years, the growing 

 of fodder for cattle was almost impossible. The enormous amount 

 of labour in clearing more than a small area, whilst the big trees were 

 green, was far beyond the settler's power. Nature had to render 

 assistance by the natural process of decay. 



An area of 5 acres is now cultivated, its use being devoted to the 

 growing of various fodders for the winter feeding of stock. Various 

 legumes and root crops have been successfully grown ; but oats for hay 

 now form the main stand-by for winter feeding. Maize is also grown, 

 but not extensively. On a farm where the grass and clover are green the 

 year round, its value as a fodder is not so keenly appreciated as it is in 

 other districts less favoured in this respect. 



The winter in this district is severe, and consequently is the time when 

 most attention must be given to hand-feeding. The general cu'-tom 

 throughout the district has been to turn the cows out in winter and let 

 them shift for themselves. Mr. Lundstrum had very reluctantly to- do 

 the same. He now points with pardonable pride to a fine stack of 

 oaten hay. and to an enclosed cowshed of 24 bails, with a roomy loft filled 

 with hay. 



The milk is separated on the farm, the cream being conveyed on a 

 sledge to the top of the ridge where it is picked up by the butter factory 

 waggon. The skim-milk is used for fattening pigs which are as well 

 looked after as the cows. 



The water supply is from a never failing spring which forms a small 

 permanent creek running past the orchard and cowshed. The idea is, 

 later on, to harness this creek near its source, and have the water laid 

 on to the premises. 



Although much still remains to be accomplished before this property 

 can compare with an up-to-date suburban dairy farm, a great deal has 

 been done and has been done well. The owner is working on right lines, 

 and his example may be followed by others with direct benefit to them- 

 selves and to the country. 



EXTRACTING HONEY. 



F. R. Ben June. Bee Extert. 



Extracting the honey from the combs will, in many districts, commence 

 during November. It is in itself a simple enough operation, and is looked 

 forward to with pleasure, particularly by the beginner, who sometimes 

 takes it before it is ripe or ready for extracting. 



Unripe honey is inferior in density and flavour, granulates sooner ; 

 and, when too' thin and containing tannic acid, will even become very dark 

 when it comes in contact with iron. Most Australian honeys contain 

 tannic acid in traces ; but, when properly ripe, the acid does not act on 

 the iron of the tins. No general rule can be laid down as to when honey 

 is ripe ; it depends upon the source from which the bees gather the nectar 

 and the degree of humidity of the atmosphere at time of storing by the 

 bees. 



While honey from different plants varies considerably, when fully ripe, 

 in the percentage of water it contains, ripe honey from one and the 

 same source, but gathei^ed in different localities, 01 even in the same 

 localitv but under d'fferent atmospheric conditions, will contain water in 

 varying proportions. 



