322 



Journal of Agriculture, Virforia. [10 June, 1916. 



Whilst the industry as a whole is short this amount it must not be 

 taken as total loss, for a large percentage would be of stock slaughtered 

 —for example— in 1914 the decrease was 166,011, but 112 548 head of 

 this can be accounted for by excess of slaughtering over previous year, 

 59,317. and increase of exports. 40,869, and a decrease of imports, 

 12,362, so that the unaccountable total for 1914 is only 53,463. In 

 the same way it will probably be seen at a latter date that a large pro- 

 portion of the 1915 decrease went to the slaughter yards. In whatever 

 way, however, the loss was incurred, the industry is short to an alarm- 

 ing extent. 



Let us then turn from the figures and ask, what are the causes of 

 ihis depletion which we know has occurred, and are they preventable. 



We have not to search very far for the primary cause of our present 

 position for nearly every farmer will be able to give figures of his losses 

 during the recent drought. If, however, we look a little deeper into 

 this question, and will be honest enough to throw off the convenient cloak 

 behind which it has been so easy to hide, the majority of farmers must 

 answer the charge of bad management. Let us, therefore, drop the 

 term " drought " and say the primary cause is, in plain terms, bad 

 management. It is not my purpose to enter into a discussion as to the 

 why and wherefore of this, further than to say that a number of farmers 

 are unable to give their losses, because they did not have any, and this 

 for the reason that, by virtue of good management, they provided a 

 sufficient reserve of fodder to see them through the trying time. The 

 financial wisdom of their foresight requires no comment, and the answer 

 to the question : "Are losses preventable under this head?" is em- 

 phatically " Yes." How many, however, will profit by their experience? 

 Are we not committing just as great a folly at the present time, and are 

 we not all just like the child being chastised by its mother, crying, " I 

 will be good — I won't do it again " and repeating the offence as soon 

 as the prior soreness loses its sting ? 



Another factor which has been in operation during the past few 

 months, and is bringing about, not only a reduction in the present num- 

 bers, but a very serious position for the future of the industry, is the 

 indiscriminate slaughter of females both young and old. Again the charge 

 of bad managem.ent must be answered by the farm.er. Bad m.anagem.ent 

 shortened our supplies — the demand then became keen, and bad manage- 

 ment is answering the demand. Does a man who wishes to build a 

 house sell the foundation posts on his property with the knowledge that 

 he will have to buy more at a later date before he can commence 

 building ? Will any one claim it is good management to put a little 

 cash in their pocket to-day with the knowledge that they must pay a lot 

 out in the near future for the same article 1 The man who is to-day 

 resisting the lure offered for calves and saving them for the foundation 

 of a herd (for the bad manager) will, in the near future, reap a handsome 

 reward, for I cannot see how there is to be any material decrease in the 

 price of cattle for some years — if ever. 



Taking my illustration of house building a little further, what sort 

 of structure*^ will be erected by the farmer who obtains some of his 

 timber at one place, and some at another, without reference to its quality 

 its strength, and the duration of its seasoning, &c. His house will 



