lo Oct., 1910.] Closer Scttle)nent Studies 619 



CLOSER SETTLEMENT STUDIES. 

 II.— A Metropolitan Dairy Farm. 



/. J/. B. Coiiiii'r, Agricultural Super ijit ml cut. 



That dairy farmers in Victoria can engage in intense culture as success- 

 fully as farmers in other parts of the world is clearly demonstrated on the 

 farm owned by Mr. J. A. Higgins. situated at Denby-street. Middle 

 Brighton, and within 8 miles of Melbourne. The farm contains 11 acres 

 of land, subdivided into six paddocks ; 2% acres are occupied bv home- 

 stead, yards and exercise paddocks, leaving 8| acres for intense culture. 



What a practical object lesson in wealth production, secured by indus- 

 trious and intelligent labour, these 8^ acres of tilled land afford. Owing 

 to its close proximity to the city and the sea, land in this locality is rapidly 

 being cut up into building allotments and is becoming of such high value 

 that it is absolutely imperative that the most shall be obtained from it when 

 utilized for dairying purposes. This farm does not stand alone, as there 

 are many instances throughout the Brighton district, amongst the market 

 gardeners and dairymen on small areas of land, which should cause owners 

 of rich land to consider whether it would not be more profitable to do with 

 half their present acreage. By introducing a thorough system of rotation 

 •of crops and intensively farming the smaller area, they would, at the end 

 of twelve months, be in a better nnancial position than when they held the 

 larger area. 



The soil consists of a sandy loam with a clay subsoil and responds 

 readily to cultivation and suitable manures. A good deal of the success 

 attendant on the working of small holdings, like the one under review, 

 depends in no small measure, on the stamp of man and his methods as 

 to whether the undertaking will spell success or failure. One cannot come 

 into contact with Mr. Higgins without recognising his i^racticability, 

 systematic methods, and knowledge of the underlying principles of the 

 agricultural work carried out on the farm. 



The first illustration is that of a windmill and pump made and 

 erected by the owner. As this is the only means adopted on the farrri for 

 irrigation purposes some difficulty has been experienced in supplying the 

 higher ground with sufficient water. Mr. Higgins recogni.ses that by in- 

 creasing his present pumping plant he will obtain even better fodder crops 

 than at present. However plentiful plant food may be in these sandy 

 soils, the presence of water is necessary : — 



1. To dissolve the available plant food in the .soil and thereby en- 



able it to enter the plant. 



2. To contribute to the building of the plant tissue and to the main- 



tenance of the life of the plant. 



Rotation of Crops Essential. — The farm when taken up by Mr. 

 Higgins' father some 45 years ago was timbered with wattle and 

 ^um trees, and has been in continuous cultivation ever since. At the 

 present time, by rotation of crops and conservation of the solid and liquid 

 manure on the farm, the ground is in a better mechanical and physical 

 condition than it was 40 years ago — instead of producing one crop each 

 year it yields three. The soil is in good heart and its producing capabili- 

 ties are increasing instead of getting poorer. 



