1 Jan., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 15 
Dairying. 
THE DAIRYING SEASON OF 1896-97. 
BUTTER EXPORTED TO LONDON. 
By JOHN MAHON, 
Dairy Instructor. 
Tuat the dairying industry of this colony is making very rapid progress is 
indicated by the number of tons of butter that have been exported to London 
this year—namely, 155 tons, which means about £14,420 worth, at 10d. per lb. 
This price, I anticipate, is, if anything, under the price that may be expected 
in London. £10,850 of the above suin has gone into the pockets of the milk- 
producers. , ) 
From these figures it must not be taken that the output of butter has 
only increased to the extent of 155 tons. It must be remembered that the 
Northern demand has increased very considerably. Owing to the ravages of 
tick fever, the production in the North has decreased to almost nil, thereby 
causing a big demand for dairy produce from the Southern parts of the colony, 
which otherwise should have been shipped to London. 
Some people imagine that we should not export, while during some months 
of the year we import ; but this has been the case in the southern colonies, 
and will be to the end of time. We never know how our winter months are 
going to turn out, and there is always a demand for fresh-made butter; 
consequently we never know how much should be held over in storage to 
supply the winter demand. ~ 
It is encouraging to know that the farmers have now realised the fact that 
there is a large profit in producing milk, and utilising the skim milk for pig- 
rearing. Some farmers who, until very recently, were prejudiced against the 
industry, or who were of the Opinion that we could not turn out an article suitable 
for the London market, are now in receipt of handsome cheques monthly, and 
are also finding remunerative employment ' for members of their families, who 
cificnTiiS would be compelled to leave their homes and seck employment else- 
where. 
The opinion that the success of the dairyman is dependent on a good herd 
of cattle is fast gaining ground among the farmers, and this is indicated by the 
numerous inquiries that are being made for purebred stock. The importance 
of milking select herds cannot be too strongly emphasised, but it is to be 
regretted that there are still to be found dairymen who blindly adhere to the 
obsolete methods of milking any animal that will carry a hide, and allow the 
calf to get the best and major part of the milk. 
It ig pleasing to note that in some instances the dairymen are conserving 
fodder for winter feeding. All these reforms from the old obsolete methods 
of dairying mean that the industry must assume very large proportions in the 
near future. We have such an immense area of splendid cheap lands available 
for settlement, and so excellently adapted for dairying purposes, that no person 
can forecast the extent to which this industry is going to develop. Southern 
farmers are coming here daily, many of whom are settling here, and others 
returning south to dispose of their homes, with the view of settling permanently 
in Queensland. Ihave had an opportunity of meeting many of these southern 
farmers, all of whom express their surprise at the cheapness of agricultural 
land in this colony. 
