38 Journal oj \gnci(Uurc.\icior'ia. [10 Jan.. 1912. 



selection of pure merino ewes and rams of iiardx c.jnstitulion, witli Iiifj 

 frames, good length of siai)lf. and dense in tlie flfttv, is therefore a 

 most important consideration. 



The sheep of both Messrs. Sanders and Eatson possess the char- 

 actei-istics mentioned above, and they haw takt-n care to .see that the ewes 

 are mated with rams of good quality. 



Otlnr .S7/'r/\ -On none of the farms were c("\vs. pigs ^J-'d poultry 

 relied upon to swell the farm income. AN'hile the holdings of the district 

 remain comparatively large, it is perhaps inevitable that wheat and sheep 

 will incnopolize the attention of the large wheat-farmer, and cattle, pigs, 

 and poultry l>e considered as mere appendages to the faim. 



Certainly, the difficulty of obtaining an adequate supply of labour in 

 country districts will prevent many from undertaking any other activities 

 than those wdiich can be immediateilv perfomied by the members of the 

 family. At the same time, it is certain that the returns from every fami 

 could be greatly augmented by the systematic exploitation of the.se avenues 

 of profit. ' The cows, poultry, and pigs have been regarded merely as 

 ministering to the domestic comforts of the home, and a policy of laissez 

 faire has, therefore, been adopted in regard to these. 



Very little attention was given anywhere to thti housing of the ])igs 

 and poultr)-. The most popular structure for pigs was the familiar 

 pole and thatch, which has, at least, the merit of coolness on a summer 

 day; and, for feeding receptacles, the hollowed-out log had many faithful 

 devotees. With respect to the policy adopted in regard to poultry, it is 

 \vith some satisfaction I noted that, even if, in .some ca.ses, houses 

 were not provided, the hens were at least prevented from roosting on the 

 reels of the binders by the erection of wire .screens on the implement 

 sheds, and b\ inducing the fowls to make a home in a clump of shad> 

 trees adjoining the farm buildings. 



Farm 1 mplcniints and Machinery. 



The efficiency of the farm operation.s is largely dependent on the type 

 of implements and machinery used. Except in one instance, all farms 

 large and small \vere provided with portalile engines, either oil or steani. 

 and these performed such diver.se duties as sawing wood. chafFcutting.. 

 winnowing, and running a machine shearing plant. 



There was little to choose between the various farms in the com- 

 pleteness of the equipment. A comparison of the present day implements 

 with those in use a decade ago affords very striking proof of the advance- 

 ment made in recent years in the direction of improved machinery. The 

 only weak point in an otherwise excellent equipment was the general 

 absence of suitable .seed graders. These should be looked upon as in- 

 dispensable implements on every wheat farm, and their systematic use 

 for the preparation of seed wheat will lead to a considerable improvement 

 in the average yields. 



Among many ingenious time aiid lab<un--saying novelties was a useful 

 .seed -covering' appliance invented liy Mr. Batson. It consists of a .shaft, 

 attachetl to the footboard of the drill, and fitted with a number of long 

 narrow tines, which, bv means of a lever, may Ik- inclined at any obtuse 

 angle with the soil. These tines act as a set of harrows; and, ina.smuch 

 as they are attached immediately behind the hoes, and in a position con- 

 stantly fixed with respect to the hoes, they firing about a more regular 

 covering effect than that of an ordinary harrow. 



