^iS Journal of ~KgricuUure. [lo July, 1909. 



are usuallv affected with cripples. Before long, deaths begin to occur, 

 and if grazing alone is relied upon in too many cases the herd has become 

 decimated. Again I say. that, in every district where the rainfall averages 

 25 inches per annum, or within an irrigation area, this state of affairs is 

 merely the result of mismanagement. By working along right lines there 

 is no reason whatever why each of these failures should not be turned 

 into a conspicuous success. 



Another reason for failure is that many men have started on too large 

 a holding for the capital they have had at their command. This is largely 

 owing to the false idea that it is safe to depend in many districts on 

 grazing alone. On such a system as this, good luck is the main factor 

 towards a successful issue. Provided several years are encountered in 

 which the rainfall has been copious and seasonable, the inital diflficulties 

 may be overcome and sufficient money accumulated to enable the farmer 

 to think that he has been successful. Where cultivation, however, is neces- 

 sary, and I hope to show you that it is necessary on every farm in Victoria, 

 a farm of 60 to 100 acres requires a capital of not less than jQ^oo. This 

 is in addition to progress payments towards purchase mone\ or interest. 

 This sum is made up as follows: — 



House, farm buildings and fences ... ... ^165 



Implements and machinerv ... ... ... 135 



First season's seeds and manures ... ... 35 



15 cows and 3 horses ... ... ... ... 185 



Mp.mtenance of famih' for 12 monlhs .. ... loo 



Contingencies, s;iy ... ... ... ... 60 



;^68o 



Want of capital has caused a verv large number of farmers to become 

 absorbed in a lifelong struggle. Specially good seasons enable them to make 

 a little headwav, but a time of stress compels them to throw the whole 

 thing up. Even where the capital has been amply sufficient numbers have 

 failed simplv from want of method. 



The Essentials for Success. 



A. — The plough must be used to ])rovide sufficient fodder to keep the cows in 

 milk the whole year round. 



B. — On everything except the richest ground the manure from the cows must be 

 systematically utilized, in order to increase the fertility of the farm. 



C. — Proper records must be kept of each individual cow, so that the unprofitable 

 ones may be culled out and the general character of the herd improved from year 

 to year. 



A. — Cultivation of Fodder. 

 First of all. the cows mu.st be properly fed. Grazing is all right for 

 a few months in the Western District and Gippsland, but the experience of 

 last season, during which 100,000 cows have been thrown out of action, 

 shows that grazing cannot be depended ujion if the industry is to be uni- 

 form! v profitable and steadily progressive. Taking a farm in a typical 

 .southern district such as the neighbourhood of Melboiu-ne, the first thing 

 a beginner requires to do. whether he has a large area or a small area, is 

 to make up liis mind to keei) a porlion of his holding under cultivation 

 and to increase this proportionately front year to year. Ultimately, all 

 parts of the farm which can be ploughed should be worked on a 5 or 6 

 vear rotation, and after a paddock has been grazed for a few years it 

 should he btdkni u]) and cropped before being laid down to gra.ss again. 

 Now, the number of different kinds of fodder which the dairy farmer may 

 grow is fairlv considerable, but there is no reason wh\ lie should take on 

 a large number at the commencement. In fact, I hold that the farmer 

 will do best at first by not attempting too many kinds of crops. When he 



