13-:! Journal of Agriculture. [lo March, 1909. 



Two statements made in Spain in connexion with the Carob tree deserve 

 considering here — one is that it will not do inland ; that it must have the 

 sea air in order to thrive. The other is that it must only be planted in 

 limev soils. The limited experience we have of the tree seems to contra- 

 dict both these contentions so far as Victoria is concerned. Several fine 

 trees exist in our inland climate, notably at Bendigo, Dookie. and Mildura ; 

 some of these are in soil very poor in lime and bear abundantly, though only 

 locally raised seedlings and therefore not of the best varieties. 



The theory that the Algarrobo mu.st feel the sea breeze probably arises 

 from the nature of the country in Eastern Spain. As one leaves the coast 

 and goes inland the rise above sea level is very rapid and the climate be- 

 comes too cold for the tree to thrive. Strange to say I did not notice it 

 growing anywhere in Andalucia (Southern Spain), though there does not 

 appear to be any reason why it could not be successfully grown there. 



Photographs of Algarrobos near Denia and near Gandia are here repro- 

 duced, and also of one at Swan Hill, in Victoria. The latter was 38 

 years old when photographed ; the height was then 27 feet and the girth, 

 2 feet from the ground, 5 ft. 3 in. 



THE DAIRY BULL. 



/. .S". McFadzean, Dairy Supervisor. 



The statement " the bull is half the herd "' is often made; and it is a 

 statement that indicates a fair and proper estimate when dealing with 

 pure-bred stock. With grade stock, however, the bull has anywhere 

 from three-fourths to everything to do with what that herd will be a few 

 )ears hence. Where haphazard breeding; has previously been practised, 

 the introduction to the herd of a pure-bred bull of milking pedigree will 

 most surely result in increasing the profit from that herd. The man who 

 persists in endeavouring to make a living by dairy-farming with mongrel 

 stock is " hoeing a hard row." To be successful at anything calls for 

 as much reasoning and common-sense method as it is possible to command. 

 To succeed at dairy-farming no branch of it should be neglected. 



The first proposition in dairying is the obtaining of suitable cows. 

 Every bu\er knows that good cows are scarce. Almost all beginners know 

 to their cost how few cows prove satisfactorv out of the number purchased, 

 and also that the buying price of such good ones as they are lucky enough 

 to get hold of is invariably high. Good dairy stock are raised by dairymen 

 and from dairy stock only. Usually every dairyman keeps the best he 

 breeds for his own herd. It is therefore obvious that really good cows 

 are seldom obtainable at a reasonable price. In fact, except at clearing 

 sales, only poor and medium dairy stock are usually obtainable except at 

 high figures. The shrewd dairy -farmer therefore breeds his own good 

 milking stock, and sells his culls ; for, if he depends on the market for 

 good cows he will pay the full value for the bulk of his purchases, and 

 handle much inferior stock at a loss meanwhile. The breeding of high- 

 class dairy stock is profitable work, for there is. and must always be, a 

 steady demand for first-class milkers. 



Among Victorian dairy-farmers there are many who possess highly 

 tremunerative studs of pure-bred dairy stock. Every progressive dairyman 



