jc April 19 12.] Aiiimal Grant to AgncnUural Socictiis. 235 



Value of Irrigation and Lucerne. 



The high yields of these cows prove plainly the special value of the 

 Northern country for dairying when put under a thorough system of 

 irrigation, and sown down in lucerne. There is no reason why all of the 

 settlers should not have cows competing next year, and keep up or eclipse 

 the high average attained this year. 



The best of the Swan Hill flats has been acquired by the Lands Pur- 

 chase Board for closer settlement purposes, and has been subdivided into 

 blocks containing about 50 acres each. ■ This land is equally w^ell suited 

 for citrus fruit growing, and will, in course of time, return a large 

 re\"enue from that source alone to the occupiers. 



The settlers are a very desirable class of men and women, who are 

 working with a will. Up to 40 and 45 cows are being carried on blocks 

 of 53 acres and under, and throughout the winter the whole of the stock 

 were in splendid condition. A better class of dairy cow is entering the 

 district than has hitherto been seen here. The Department of Agriculture 

 is doing its best to assist the settlers. During the last six months it has 

 purchased four pure Jersey bulls and one Ayrshire bull from leading studs, 

 and located them amongst the settlers at Nyah and Swan Hill, where they 

 are available for service at a nominal fee. It will be a matter of only a 

 few years before their influence will be felt in the cream results from their 

 stock, as well as their higher value in the open market, when any surplus 

 stock have to be sold. 



So well have the settlers taken to dairying that most of them keep 

 milk charts, and numerous applications are received to test individual 

 cows. With such regular attention, and the growing and conservation of 

 fodder, success is assured to the settlers in the Swan Hill district. 



ANNUAL GRANT TO AGRICULTURAL SO0JETIE8. 



AMENDED REGULATIONS FOR 1912. 



The regulations providing for the conditions hitherto in force to 

 qualify for participation in this grant have been amended. Conditions B, 

 I and 2 and C i and 2 have been abolished, but condition A remains as 

 under : — 



The awards of prizes in all classes for stallions three years 

 old and over at the Society's JShow must be subject to the 

 possession by the exhibit of a Government certificate of soundness. 



Stallion Inspection Parades will be held at different centres throughout 

 the State prior to the commicncement of the Show season (Time Table of 

 Stallion Parades for 1912 will be available shortly after ist April, 191 2). 

 The parade centres are so arranged that all owners of Show stallions have 

 the opportunity of submitting them for examination for the Government 

 Certificate of Soundness before the closing of entries for the Show. Show 

 Secretaries will require to obtain evidence of the possession of the Govern- 

 ment Certificate in respect of exhibits at the time of entry, and should not 

 accept entries of other than certificated horses. 



Immediately after the Show, Secretaries of Societies are required to 

 forward the names of all the horses that have won the prizes in stallion 



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