Sept 1896.] 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



167 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL NOTES. 



Dairying in New South Wales. 



According to a work prepared by the Government statistician 

 of New South Wales,* dairy fanning has made much progress of 

 3ate years in that Colony, and there is every prospect of its 

 development into a most important industry. The increasing 

 popularity of this branch of farming is attributed largely to the 

 introduction of the factory system in convenient centres, the 

 great improvements effected in dairy appliances, and the estab- 

 lishment of direct railway communication with Sydney. It 

 seems that dairying is not now, as formerly, wholly confined 

 to farmers, since many graziers in a large way of business, 

 especially near the coast, have lately turned their attention to 

 the industry. 



When the factory system was first introduced the factories were 

 mostly co-operative, and the processes of cream separation and 

 butter-making were carried on together. This arrangement is 

 gradually dying out, and central butter factories, fed by numerous 

 separating establishments called " creameries," are taking the 

 place of the others. The advantages gained from this change 

 are said to be considerable ; a butter of more uniform quality 

 is made in each centre, and there is a reduction in the cost 

 of manufacture owing to the greater quantity made and the use of 

 improved appliances, such as refrigerators, which the larger 

 establishments can profitably provide. 



Most of the native grasses are particularly suitable for dairy 

 cattle, as they possess milk-producing as well as fattening 

 qualities, The mildness of the winter season enables dairymen 

 to avoid the heavy expense of stall feeding, and although a 

 certain amount of winter fodder is grown it is given to the 

 cattle in the fields. The crops most popular for this purpose are 

 maize, barley, oats, rye, lucerne, and the brown variety of 

 sorghum or " planter's friend." 



The area of land in New South Wales under green crops and 

 permanent artificially-sown grasses has been largely extended 

 during the last few years; in March 1895 it amounted to 

 over 415,000 acres. The produce of this land is devoted to the 

 depasturing of dairy cattle, and as the area is still below the 

 present requirements an extension of this form of cuitixation 

 may be anticipated. 



The number of dairy cows is returned as 438,211. Constant 

 attention to the peculiarities of the climate, as well as the 

 judicious crossing of strains, is stated to have developed a 

 breed of cows peculiar to Australia, especially in the coast 

 districts immediately south of Sydney ; but all well-known 

 breeds of milkers are found in New South Wales. The milk 

 yielded by the dairy cows of the Colony may be set down at 



* The Wealth and Progress of New South Wales ; by T. A Coghlan, Government 

 Statistician. Eighth issue. 1895. 



