5l2i Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Aug., 1919. 



The New South Wales Dairy Expert (Mr. L. T. Mclnnes), in a report 

 to the Department of Agriculture, refers to the revival of herd-testing 

 on the ]!^e\v South Wales north coast. The Tweed-Richmond Herd- 

 Testing Council has concluded its seven years testing under Government 

 subsidy and direction. The records of the council for the year ending 

 28th February, 1919, give the individual productions of the cows in 

 twenty-two herds, totalling 1,137. These show the average production 

 to range from about 19.^ lbs. of commercial butter (calculated by the 

 chart) to 298 lbs. Considering the extreme dryness of the season, these 

 are very good results, and compare favorably with those of previous 

 years. 



The total number of cows entered for testing during the year was 

 1,283. The average yield of the wbole of the cows tested was 233.6 lbs 

 of commercial butter, as compared with 2.56 lbs. given in the two pre- 

 ceding years. 



The Tweed-Richmond Herd-Testing Council has commenced its 

 eighth year of testing, and is employing three testers, who are operating 

 in connexion with three different units: ;i fourth unit is in process of 

 formation. 



FLAX GROWING. 



There is a strong movement in British countries to stimulate the 

 wider cultivation of the flax crop, its products, both fibre and oil, being 

 urgently in demand. Prior to the outbreak of war, the flax industry 

 flourished in Russia, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Holland, and 

 Ireland, the first-named producing four-fifths of a total of 500,000 tons. 

 All these countries must be in a bad Avay in respect of their normal pro- 

 duction, and there must eventually be a great shortage of linseed, fibre, 

 &c. The price for flax products should rule high for some years. In 

 reviewing the position, the Cordage Trade Journal says: — "So far as 

 flax prospects are concerned, they are anything but encouraging. We 

 may fear that the coming year will witness prices much beyond any- 

 thing we have yet seen, for the simple reason that there will not be suffi- 

 cient flax to go round." A recent issue of the Irish and Scotch Linen and 

 Jute Trades Journal contains the following: — "For some years the 

 present high price of flax will be maintained. It may be accepted as 

 pretty certain that remunerative prices will rule for ten years. Stocks 

 of linen throughout the world will have to be replenished, a task that will 

 take years. In addition, there will be a big demand for aeroplane sheet- 

 ing for commercial and other purposes." 



