404 Journal of Agriculture. [10 July, 1909. 



Those who sold had so enhanced tlie value of their hohhngs during 

 recent years by dairying that they were able to sell them at an abnormal 

 price. At first sight, one would think that highly remunerativ'e returns 

 would encourage and develop the industi\ , hut the opposite has, in man\ 

 instances, lieen the case. When other l)rcUK'hes of farming are remunera- 

 tive, affluent holders, not unnaturally, drift into more leisurely occupations 

 and allow themselves to become steejjcd in a sweet and drowsy somnolence. 

 Last season, I was reliably informed that whole herds were offered free 

 to any one who would take them awa\ , so emaciated had they become. 

 My friend refused to accept them at such short notice, as it was a certaint\ 

 they could not live. Indeed, they all died very soon afterwards, their 

 hides being the only asset left. 



Were farms subdivided into numerous paddocks and some of the plenti- 

 ful growths of spring conserved, their carrying capacity would be greatly 

 augmented. Much more extended culti\ation is required to maintain the 

 stock which it is now attempted to carr\ . It is strange that every one 

 who has working horses provides food so as to keep them strong and in 

 good profitable condition, and yet overlooks the like urgent need of taking 

 the necessary precautions to tide his cows over the season of scarcity. 



In a previous report I stated : — 

 " Our climate is too favorable. It would be better if it were much more rigorous."' 

 The more I dwell on that explanation, the more convinced am I of its 

 truth. Therefore, I must reiterate this statement that with a more severe 

 climate every one would be obliged to provide fodder for stock during the 

 leaner periods, even though it may appear cruel to criticise when the pinch 

 is most acute. Now, however, with a good season — I hope a c\cle of 

 good .seasons looming ahead — the suggestion that those who permit their 

 cows to starve should be liable to prosecution and penalt\ for cruelty to 

 animals, merits consideration. It might render cow-keepers more con- 

 siderate and force them to make pro])er provision for their stock. In m\ 

 last annual report I pointed out that, even in the most drought-affected 

 areas of Victoria, dairymen were to be found who succeeded in keeping 

 their herds in full profit without losing a single head, the only possible 

 conclusion being that if all did likewise, the same creditable results would 

 be achieved. It is to be hoped that the monthly '^tickler" suggestion 

 too, will be put into practice. 



Carelessness and Rustv Cans. 



It is unfortunate that there is no authority to condemn and force out 

 of use cans and vessels unsuitable for holding milk and cream, for an 

 immense loss is annually incurred through the resulting contamination. 

 Some butter factories, more especialTy jjroprietary butter factories, have ro 

 a large extent overcome the trouble b\ taking the matter into their own 

 hands. Whenever a rustv -bottomed can reaches the factor\ it is refitted 

 with a new bottom and the suinilicr is debitt'd with the cost. It is one 

 way of meeting the difficulty and 1 am pleased to note that this system of 

 remedying matters is spreading. 



Rxi>eriments were made recently li\ ih<' Dei>artnient to ascertain the 

 extent of the depreciation due to this cause. A quantity of cream was 

 divided into api>roximately equal parts, one part matured in proi>erly 

 tinned \es.sels, the other in ve.s.sels from which the tin was worn, with 

 the result that in every case a metallic flavour, like that of tallow, was 

 produced from the cream kept in the imtiniird \essels, whilst the other 



