The rapid development of the dairying industry dairying. 

 led to the estabHshment in 191 2 of a Co-operative 

 'Creamery at the Station, which has developed into 

 a highh" successful concern, with an output at present 

 of six tons of butter and cheese monthly. It has 

 proved a real boon to the neighbourhood, in that it 

 provides the farmer with a ready market for his dairy 

 produce and a svire return on his outlay. The 

 •Creamery is run on purely co-operative lines and be- 

 longs entirely to the suppliers, so that in addition 

 to a fair price for his milk and cream the farmer 

 reaps the benefit of all profits in the shape of bonus 

 and dividend. A refrigerating plant will probably 

 be added to the equipment of the Creamery in the 

 near future. 



In recent years the production of flax has grown flax. 

 to seriously rival stock raising and dairying as the 

 staple industry of the district. There are now two 

 factories operating and others are likely to be erected 

 so soon as it is possible to obtain the necessary plant. 

 Considerable shipments of the cleaned fibre have 

 already reached the London market, the quality 

 being pronounced to be excellent, and the prices 

 realised have given entire satisfaction. It is certain 

 that the area devoted to this crop will be steadily 

 extended. 



Horse and mule breeding has attracted consider- HORSES 

 able attention of late, and there is now a large number and MULES, 

 of mares in the district. 



Pig breeding found much favour before the war, pigs. 

 Lumbwa supplying the local market with an appre- 

 ciable proportion of its supphes of first quality 

 bacon. The proximity of the native reserve, from 

 which in normal times quantities "of grain suitable 

 for pig feeding are obtainable at reasonable prices, 

 and the constant supply of dairy bye-products, have 

 their influence on the quality and cost of production, 

 and enable the breeder to turn out a first class pig 

 at a cost that leaves a fair margin of profit on the 

 market price. Unfortunately the development of our 

 export trade has been hampered by want of shipping 

 facihties since the outbreak of war, and this com- 

 bined with a diminution of food supplies from native 

 sources (a very large number of the natives having 

 joined up with the Carrier Corps), has checked the 



101 



