aie Satine 5 1 fw Somes 
—— 
90 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fes., 1902. 
Dairy.—During the period under review, 1,880 gallons of milk were con- 
verted into butter for a yield of 770 Jb., and 360 gallons gave 384: Ib. of cheese. 
One hundred and fifty-eight gallons were supplied to the dining-hall. The increase 
in the dairy herd comprised 5 Ayrshires, 3 males and 2 females; 2 Shorthorns, 
females ; and 5 crossbreds. The average number of cows milked was 58. The 
milk cows were allowed one hour’s grazing daily on the lucerne field, and for 
the last week of the period had in addition a quantity of green maize daily. 
Piggery.—The natural increase for the month comprised :—Fifty-two 
Berkshires—28 boars, 24 sows; 9'Tamworths—2 boars, 7 sows. We sold during 
the month: Thirteen Berkshires—5 boars, 8 sows; 1 Middle Yorkshire boar ; 
and 4 weaners. A steady demand exists for Berkshire boars and sows for 
breeding purposes. 
Mechanical Department.—The subdivision of the pig paddock has been 
completed, and the gates made and hung. ‘The fences in the railway and other 
paddocks have been repaired. Towards the end of the month, a commencement 
was made on the work of dismantling one portion of the laboratory, with a 
view to providing extra dormitory accommodation. In the smithy, in addition to 
the ordinary routine work, five pairs of wheels were tyred, and some of the 
wagons put into a good state of repair. This has been a very heavy month 
for pumping, as, owing to the heat and dry weather, the consumption of water 
has been exceptionally large. 
Garden and Orchard.—In the orchards and vineyards, both on hill and 
creek, no horse cultivation has been required, the small quantity of couch-grass 
which made its appearance having been easily eradicated by hand labour. The 
crop of grapes on the hill is a poor one, the Red Muscat and Black Pinean 
being the only varieties to give a fair yield. A better yield will be 
obtained from the creek vineyard. Owing to the drought, the crop of figs will 
not be so large as was anticipated, large numbers having dropped off. Good 
yields of tomatoes, marrows, squashes, and melons have resulted in spite of the 
dry weather. It has been found impossible, in consequence of the scorching 
winds, to raise a supply of young cabbage plants, although water was liberally 
supplied. : 
SOUTH AFRICAN FARMING. 
A beginning is said to have been made with land settlements in the 
Orange River Colony, in the Thabanchu district, saysthe Scottish Farmer. 
Land is being cultivated in the Transvaal for the supply of cereals and yege- 
tables for the army. There are nearly 70 farms, averaging 72 acres each, 
under the direction of Colonel Morgan and Mr. 8S. B. Schlam, an Australian 
farmer, and Mr. T. Hogg Robertson, a Cambridgeshire farmer. ach farm is 
managed by an overseer with a few white assistants. These are selected from 
among the men of the Irregular corps and the Yeomanry who have obtained 
their discharge after good service in the field. Under them there are some 
3,000 natives and coolies, who are paid from £1 to 30s. a month, with rations of 
mealie meal or rice, and occasionally some meat. There are growing fields of 
magnificent cabbages, peas, beans, turnips, and potatoes, and other vegetables 
were growing in quantities proving more than sufficient to supply the local 
army. Besides these there were large areas under barley and oats. The barley 
was being cut green and sent in daily to freshen up the horses in the remount 
camps. One thousand bundles of 4 lb. each were estimated to be the average 
yield per acre. The oats were a magnificent crop, and when reaped will 
materially lessen the quantity of forage to be hauled over the railway from the 
coast. An experimental field of lucerne has been planted, and was doing 
splendidly, the estimate of the yield being 6 tons per acre green and 4 tons dry. 
From some farms produce to the value of £500 is being taken every week. It 
must be remembered that cabbages are worth from 9d. to Is. 6d. each; the 
value of the produce of 2 acres in many cases is more than £500. 
