ON AGRICULTURE TO IRELAND BS 



however, is a separate concern, and not part of the farm proper; 

 30 non-pedigreed shorthorn cows, and a small herd of pedigreed 

 shorthorn cattle. The non-pedigreed shorthorn cows are kept for 

 the production of milk. They are liberally fed, and give a heavy 

 yield, the record, which is regularly kept, showing that some of the 

 cows give in 9 or 10 months as much as 1100 gallons. The milking 

 is done at 5 a.m. and 2 p.m., and it is interesting to note that the 

 average percentage of butter fat in the morning's milk is just 3 

 per cent., while the percentage in the afternoon's milk is 3"5 per 

 cent. The cows are not used for breeding, and they are not kept 

 long, being sold in the fat market as soon as they become un- 

 profitable in the dairy. In summer the cows are kept out night 

 and day on the grass, and the additional feeding consists of 10 lbs. 

 of draff and 3 lbs. of a mixture of decorticated and undecorticated 

 cotton cake, which is simply laid down on the grass. The 

 winter feeding is 56 lbs. mangels, 4 lbs. cotton cake, 3 lbs. bran, 

 10 lbs. draff, and as much straw as they care to consume per day. 

 The mangels are pulped and mixed with chopped straw. The 

 cows are fed three times a day. The dairy premises are all that 

 can be desired for the trade. The milk is mostly sent to Dublin,, 

 and disposed of at Is. 4d. retail and Is. 2d. wholesale. The herd 

 of pedigree cattle consists of about 20 shorthorn cows and several 

 bulls, selected with great care, a good draft having been introduced 

 from the displenishing sale at Upper Mill. The cows include 

 representatives of the " Clipper," " Princess Eoyal," " Butterfly," 

 " Eosewood," " Secret," and " Missy " families mated with such 

 grand bulls as " Bapton Banner " and " Lavender Lad," bred by 

 Mr Dean Wills. They are producing stock of such merit as to 

 give promise of the fulfilment of the aim of the Department, which 

 is, to breed superior animals for sale or distribution as premium 

 bulls, with the view of improving the common cattle of the 

 country. 



2. The Munster Institute 



The Munster Institute is a palatial building situated in County 

 Cork. The theory of agriculture so far as applicable to a woman's 

 department of work on a farm is taught in the Institute and the 

 practice of agriculture on the adjoining farm, which extends to 

 126 acres. The students must be 17 years of age and of good 

 health and character, and must pass a preliminary examination. 

 There are four sessions in the year, of about 11 weeks each,^ 

 commencing in January, March, June and October. The fee 

 for tuition, board, and lodging during one session is three guineas. 

 The course of training includes : (1) the practice of dairy work — 

 the treatment of milk and the making of butter on a larjfe 

 and on a small scale, with the most modern machinery and 

 implements as well as with the appliances generally used in 

 all farm dairies ; (2) instruction in the feeding and management 

 of cows, calves, and pigs ; in the keeping of small gardens ; 



