796 Journal of Agriculture. [10 Dec, 1910. 



cut for hay, or if maize growing for silage was carried out on a more 

 satisfactory system, the water used on the pasture land could be made 

 to bring in a much greater return if utilized in connexion with the grow- 

 ing of these crops. 



The general quality of the stock had, in every instance, to be judged 

 from their appearance, for no definite information was obtainable on any 

 of the farms as to the amount or quality of the milk given either indivi- 

 dually or collectively. No one could say how much milk the cows had 

 given any one day ; and the factory cream dockets were the only record 

 of returns available. One owner's guess at the milk yield, when checked 

 by the cream and factory test, would indicate that the cows were giving 

 milk with 6 per cent, of butter fat all round j and others were equally 

 unreliable. It was also the exception to find a dairy farmer who weighed 

 his cream before sending it to the factory. Grain is weighed, and poultry 

 and eggs counted before sending to market ; but cream at 5d. per lb. is 

 apparently not considered worth keeping check of. 



The first farm inspected was that of Mr. Wilson, which is made up 

 of five 20-acre blocks, subdivided into fifteen paddoclcs — all within the 

 irrigation area. Seventeen acres are sown with oats and wheat. Two 

 lo-acre lots have been planted with lucerne and paspalum ; and are used 

 in their turn as grazing paddocks. Two acres are also sown with maize 

 and Planter's Friend. A small silo that was filled last .sea.son with green 

 oats, unchaffed, has not been opened ; but a stack of similar fodder was 

 used by the cows during the past winter. This is the third year of silage- 

 making on this farm. 



The milking herd includes 23 cows, of which 20 are at present in 

 profit. They are a mixed lot, showing principally Shorthorn blood ; but 

 there are a few showing some Jersey breeding. 



The dairy buildings on this farm were of the most primitive descrip- 

 tion, and not well situated ; and in competition many points were lost on 

 this account. 



Mr. Glanville's farm was the next visited. Here, 80 acres are sub- 

 divided into eighteen paddocks ; water for stock and irrigation being sup- 

 plied by the channel, with a good clay " tank " as a standby. Six acres 

 of lucerne and 2 acres of maize are sown for green fodder ; no silage 

 is made; and also no hay crop has been sown this sea.son, as a surplus 

 of over 20 tons is still on hand from last year. 



The milking herd of 17 head are all in profit except two. They are 

 mostly a very nice class of Shorthorn ; but possibly the best of the lot is 

 a fine framed Ayrshire that is said to be a local prize-winner. A heifer 

 calf from this cow stood out from the rest in " dairy " appearance, show- 

 ing both fine bone and good frame. Almost without exception, the stock 

 on the farms inspected — young and old — were in good condition. 



The barn and other shedding on this farm are roomy ; and the various 

 buildings and yards are fairly well situated, and tidily kept. 



The third farm seen is that worked by Mrs. Felgenhauer and 

 family on the " Shares " system. This place has only recently been taken 

 over for dairying, and is not yet in proper working order ; most of the 

 necessary steading having still to be built. The 130 acres are cut up into 

 fourteen paddocks, all of which are watered by the channel. Thirty acres 

 are in oats ; and one paddock of 9 acres has lucerne growing on it. 

 It is proposed to make more than half of the oat crop to silage, either in 

 pit or stack. 



