Australia: The Dairy Country. 33 



" Ladylike," Ayrshire Dairy Cow. 



The price varies according to locality. Remoteness or proximity 

 to market have to be considered. It is essential for the dairy farmer 

 to be near a railway. The intending settler can either select Crown 

 lands from the Government, at prices varying from $0.60 to $4.80 

 and upwards, or if he has some capital he can purchase a freehold 

 farm. Good dairy freehold land can be bought from $14.40 to $24.00 

 per acre, but close to the railway in the older farming districts it 

 reaches up to $96.00 per acre. 



In ordinary times $24.00 to $38.40 is paid for a good average cow ; 

 heifers up to $21.60. Similar prices rule, generally speaking, in 

 regard to all the States. An ordinary cow would earn from $2.40 to 

 $4.20; and a good cow from $4.80 to $6.00 a month, whilst in 

 profit, on an eight months' average milking. 



Dairy Breeds in Use. 



The milking breeds most in use in Queensland are the 

 Ayrshire, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorns. Herds of Holsteins, 

 Guernseys, and other breeds have also been established. Some fine 

 specimens of these dairy cattle are to be seen throughout the State, 

 and at the large annual shows of pure-bred stock, held at Brisbane, 

 Toowoomba, and other centres. 



The Queensland Agricultural College, a State institution, 

 breeds high-class dairy bulls for sale to farmers, and herds are 

 being also raised on the State Farms. 



Cows should bring in not less than $3..oo per month, or be 

 turned out as useless. The average is about $3.72. Up-to-date 

 men will not keep a cow who does not average this for her milking. 



