30 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juxy, 1902. 
and 1901). Unfortunately, the season was all against the producers, but nevertheless 
620 tons of butter were shipped, valued at £51,700. The Government were a good 
deal out of pocket directly, although indirectly nothing was lost, as the producers 
were paid better values owing to the storage and interest charges being much reduced, 
which enabled the manufacturer to pay higher prices. Though the statistics are not 
yet to hand tor 1901, a marvellous increase in production took place. The failure of 
the pastoral industry through the severe drought and the stagnation in some of the 
mining centres, together with the unrest in connection with the sugar business, have 
brought the value of the dairying industry into more prominent notice. 
. We have had lately a series of articles, excellently written, appearing in the 
Courier and Queenslander, dealing with the industry in the Southern States as well 
as in Queensland, and these have been read with keen interest. Many valuable 
suggestions for thé improvement of the industry were made, some of which I hope to 
elaborate upon later. The advent of federation, and consequent abolition of inter- 
state duties, places our sister States on an equality with us in regard to our far 
Northern trade. Other competitors are striving for a grip of the English market, 
notably Denmark and Russia, where the Governments are encouraging the industry in 
every possible way. With these facts before us, we must therefore consider whether 
the industry is likely to be affected by them. Are the Continental dairying countries 
to secure the Hnglish trade? and is our Northern trade to fall into the hands of 
southern producers? Mostassuredly these things will happen unless an alteration is 
made from our present-day method of dairying. The quality of our product is 
deteriorating because the care and attention are not being given to the production of 
the raw material which are so necessary if we are to face the competition of the 
world. While we are idle, both New South Wales and Victoria are moving vigorously 
to ascertain the causes of deterioration and their remedies. Science is brought largely 
into play in connection with the industry, and they are gradually, but surely, over- 
coming their difficulties. Are we not to profit by their work and experience? I sin- 
cerely hope so, and trust that our dairymen will realise the dangers in front and set to 
work vigorously to remove them. 
CarrtE.—One of the first things to be improved is the quality of the milkin 
herds. The average cow now being milked in Queensland is certainly not of a high 
standard. It costs no more to feed a good cow than to feed a bad one, and the dairy- 
man will soon find that the extra original cost is more than repaid by the return he 
obtains from the good cow. While | would not presume to advise the breed ot cattle 
to keep—the question at present being a very vexed one—I would point out for your 
consideration a few points in favour of the Shorthorn for Queensland. In the first 
place, the Shorthorn is more of a “general purpose cow,” as our American friends 
would say, and, when found not profitable as a milker, would be worth much more as 
a fat or as a store for fattening on account of size; and, as this State is likely to have 
so many graziers following the occupation of fattening, this is an important point. 
No doubt some very fine milkers are bred from common cows crossed with the 
Jersey or Ayrshire bull, but the trouble is to know when to stop crossing. In my 
mind and experience they deteriorate after the first-cross. I would here point 
out that in order to dairy successfully, in addition to good cows, a good bull is 
absolutely essential: Having determined upon a particular breed, it is advisable to 
make certain that he came from a good milking strain, and is a true type of his 
parents for at least three generations. Where a large dairy herd is kept, it is a good 
idea to keep two or even three bulls of different strains and mate them with cows to 
suit. Having obtained a fair herd, the dairyman should always seek to improve; and 
to do this it is necessary to keep a record of each cow’s return of commercial butter, 
and to adopt the standard to work by, any cows not reaching that standard being 
culled out. Year by year the standard can be raised till a very high point is reached, 
and the business has become highly profitable. While I would not wish to cast any 
reflection upon purebred Ayrshires, Jerseys, and other Island breeds—the trouble at 
present being to get pure types—the purity of breed would have to be well ascertained 
to ensure best results. iNet again, to buy a herd of purebreds is beyond the reach of 
the average dairyman. Once a high standard of thoroughbred: is obtained it is not, 
in my mind, advisable te cross, : 
Frrep.—The feed of the cattle can also be much improved. A, great deal of 
dependence is at present placed upon the natural grasses, and when thesé fail, as in 
the present drought, the ietisien is left somewhat in a hole. Artificial grasses such 
as Puspulum dilatatum, lucerne, &c., should be cultivated together with maize, barley, 
rye, and wheat for green feed. “Rye makes an ‘excellent early winter feed, and, as it 
