1 Aprit, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 255 
A FACTOR IN VICTORIAN DAIRYING. 
By DANIEL JONES, 
Department of Agriculture. 
The observations I am about to record are but a few facts gleaned while 
enjoying the cordial hospitality of some friends who are, fortunately for them- 
selves, located in a noted dairying centre of Victoria. This region, known as 
the western country, including as it does such fertile districts as Colac, 
Pomperneet, and Camperdown, stands pre-eminent as a dairying centre: My 
investigations, arising only from personal interest, were chiefly centred in com- 
paring what, for many reasons, may rightly be regarded as improved systems 
with those of a local character such as I had hitherto been acquainted with. 
Despite the fact that the nature of the comparisons may seem to show our 
newer and smaller industry at a disadvantage, our latent possibilities only 
require stimulating by such means as proved so useful in the sister State, and 
we shall, in the near future, if, indeed, we do not at present, hold by comparison 
no discreditable position. 
For the benefit, then, of my many co-workers in the past in the principles 
of co-operative dairying, I will discuss those matters which, to my mind, stand 
prominently forth as the prime factors in the development of these southern 
districts. I trust I shall be able to show that what 1 have there learned will 
emphasise the advantages demonstrated in such a signal manner as the sequence 
of co-operative effort. 
The story of rural co-operation in its early stages is ever the same. A few 
pushing or perhaps over-sanguine settlers try and fail, and try again toinfuse some 
energy into apathetic farmers, and, by degrees and after much delay and no little 
loss to themselves in time and money, they at last succeed in making a start in a 
yery small way, perhaps co-operating in the erection of a creamery, and ultimately 
in the complete establishment of a first-rate factory, which soon gains a reputa- 
tion in every sense flattering to the shareholders and creditable to the district. 
Such I found was the genesis of the Camperdown Cheese and Butter Factory 
Company, Limited. A few items from the balance-sheet of this company, as 
issued in July last, may be of some interest to our dairymen. That document 
showed a capital of £5,000 paid up in 20s. shares, a dividend upon which is paid 
at 7 per cent., in addition to which, after paying 4°03d. per gallon of 10 lb. of 
milk, a bonus is paid to suppliers at $d. per lb. as per butter test, and all 
separated milk is returned to the suppliers. It shows, also, a cash turnover of 
£71,867 1s. 7d., as against £70,297 7s. 10d. for the previous year, leaving a 
net profit of £5,074 Us. 8d., as against £3,765 5s. 11d. in the previous year, the 
increased profit resulting mainly from the enhanced value of butter. It goes 
without saying that so successful an achievement means something more than 
intelligent co-operation in the manufacture of dairy products. Success in this 
industry depends on more than the careful preparation of these products, 
however important these may be. Nature of soil, seasons, character of grasses, 
selection of cows, and intelligent recognition of all that goes to improve the 
milking qualities—each of these factors stands in more or less direct relation 
to the success of the enterprise. Undoubtedly the initiation of the system of 
butter factories on a large scale, coupled with the facilities for cold storage and 
quick over-sea transit of butter, has rendered land in Victoria, which, under 
other conditions, would have been of little value or use, productive and 
profitable. These western lands are a case in point. The whole aspect of the 
country indicates a voleanic origin. In many parts of the district under review 
evidence of former internal disturbances are seen in the numerous low hills and 
ridges obtruding from otherwise level lands thickly strewn with basaltic rocks, in 
boulders great and small that give you the impression that in the remote past 
the subterranean fires, by direction of Pluto, were preparing battlements for 
some coming Titans. Such is the nature of a great deal of this country, so 
covered is it with basalt boulders that scarce a blade of grass, in places, is seen 
onits surface. The comparative absence of fencing material has compelled the 
