37^ Journal of Agriculture. [8 June, 1908. 



The anticipated yield from the 48 acres will be reduced some 60 or 70 

 per cent, and will seriously affect the winter food supplies. 



Buildings, etc. — The new milking shed is now in use and the ad- 

 vantage of yards well paved and dramed is much commented on by 

 visitors. The new dairy and boiler house are approaching completion, 

 and the boiler and a complete milking machine outfit have been ordered. 

 The framework and part of the walls of the new pigsties are erected, all 

 fittings are made, and the balance of the material is on the ground. Some 

 of the water pipes for reticulating the various buildings are also on hand. 

 A large brick manure pit has been built and a point is to be made of 

 saving all available manure, both liquid and solid. 



The eastern boundary of the farm has been fenced with a substantial 

 wire netting fence, and material for fencing and netting the remainder 

 of the farm is arriving. Other fences and gates have been erected and 

 old ones removed, the process of remodelling being well advanced. 



A new elevator with a tilting chute to fill either of the two silos was 

 built and was worked from the bottom by means of chain and sprocket 

 geared to the chaffcutter and carrying the ensilage up the reverse way. 

 1[ worked well and no difficulty was experienced. A number of culverts, 

 regulators, and outlet boxes have been made and fitted to the irrigated 

 areas. Brickmaking was finished on 31st January, 5 kilns in all having 

 been burnt. 



Cultivation. — 84 acres of the timber paddock have been steam 

 ploughed, harrowed, and rolled, and are in course of being graded for 

 irrigation; 74 acres will be sown to lucerne and the methods of irrigation 

 by contour checks, borders, and furrows will be followed in some part 

 on similar lines to those laid down by INIr. Elwood Mead, Chairman of 

 the State Rivers and Water Commission, for the Lucerne Competitions 

 initiated by him. Ten acres of the area have been set aside for an experi- 

 ment in growing various kinds of wheat under the direction of Mr. F. E. 

 Lee, Agricultural Superintendent, twenty acres of the " Oat " paddock 

 have been irrigated and cultivated and sown with a mixture of barley, peas, 

 and beans for grazing and silage purposes. The " Plain " Paddock (44 

 acres) has been disced and cross disced and will be sown with Federa- 

 tion wheat as soon as rain falls. Other smaller paddocks are in process 

 of preparation for various crops. 



Miscellaneous. — Levels have been taken for a number of settlers and 

 designs made for irrigating their blocks. Many landholders have ex- 

 pressed a strong desire that an officer for this purpose should be detailed, 

 as required, to do similar work throughout the irrigation areas, and there 

 is no doubt that many of the early trials and disappointments of irrigators 

 would be much mitigated if such a course were followed. 



The Lands Purchase Board met at the farm on 21st February to deal 

 Avith settlers' difficulties when there was a very large attendance with 

 mutual satisfaction following. The Advisory Board met on 27th 

 February and determined the general plan of operations for the ensuing 

 season. 



On 19th March, Mr. Elwood Mead, C.E., addressed one of the 

 largest audiences yet seen on the farm on the subiect of Lucerne Growing. 

 The lecture, which was illustrated with limelight views, was much 

 appreciated. 



