jO Aug., 1908.] .4 Farm in the Making. 493 



considered in good dairying condition. But che same might be said of 

 90 per cent, of old-established farms this year, and every one is equally 

 liable to misjudge climatic possibilities. However, the success of the 

 maize crop just harvested into the silos is a counteracting feature, 

 and the various draining and irrigation improvements already completed 

 should prove a safeguard against such an occurrence in future. 



The whole of the works on the propert\ have been carried out under 

 the personal supervision of the Engineer of the Trust, Mr. A. C. Mackenzie, 

 A.M.I.C.E. 



The dairy-farm and drainage operations are under the management 

 of Mr. Baird, who has taken it over on the share system, and who was 

 chosen for the work on account of his previous experience :ind success in 

 such general farm practice. The advice of Mr. G. Harmer, the Govern- 

 ment Dairy Supervisor in charge of the Geelong district, was also taken 

 advantage of in reference to the position and construction of the dairy 

 buildings and other work of the farm. 



The Homestead and Farm Buildings. 



The western boundary of this property is a lane that runs down to the 

 main road to Barwon Heads. 'i he entrance to Sparrovale Farm, being 

 the same as that of the old race-course, is from this lane and a good 

 road runs direct to it from Marshalltown. The continuation of this 

 road, with its fine avenue of trees that led from the gales to the course, 

 is now the beginning of the main farm road leading to the several paddocks. 

 On the left of the entrance gate is the manager's residence, round which 

 a flower garden and shrubbery are being laid out ; and on the right is an 

 acre of ground reserved for the future nursery. This latter, and the 

 rest of the horticultural work, is in charge of a practical gardener and 

 forester, who will raise and plant out such trees and shrubs as are required 

 for shelter, ornamental, and general garden work. From the nursery, to 

 the right along the western boundary , several f -acre blocks are reserved 

 for the erection of dwellings for employes. Behind these blocks is 

 another reserved area, about 5 chains wide, and of this a poultrv vard 

 will occupy that portion that lies at the rear of the nurserv and adjoining 

 the farm road ; and the rest will stand as a horse paddock till otherwise 

 required. Next to the poultry yard, in a parallel line with the frontage 

 blocks, and at right angles to the farm road are built, first the calf sheds 

 and yards, and behind them the first of six feeding and shelter sheds for 

 the milking stock. 



This calf-shedding was designed by Mr. Harmer to accommodate 20 

 to 30 head, and is in four sections with two exercise yards. The first 

 three sheds with small yards are for the young calves till taught to drink 

 from the trough, and the large shed and yard are for those more advanced. 

 The calves as brought in will be housed in the end pen. They will be 

 taken into the second pen while being taught to drink from the bucket. 

 As soon as they drink freely they will be passed on to the third pen 

 in which is a trough and a low hay-rack, and which has the small exercise 

 yard adjoining. When they can be trusted to look to the trough for their 

 drink they will be passed on to the larger place where there is also a 

 trough and hay-rack, and more room; and there they will be kept till 

 able to do with less care. 



The six shelter-sheds for the milking cows are to be each 415 feet 

 long by 13 feet wide, and fitted to stall 100 head. Midway along each 



