1 Ave., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 109 
DATRY FARMING AT STRATHPINE. 
O TALK about dairy farming as it is perforce 
carried on during. the present disastrous drought, 
is to talk about something which practically is 
at a complete standstill. Throughout the coast 
lands, except in the extreme North, the same 
dreary conditions of absence of fodder for the 
cattle may be observed. Wherever the unfor- 
tunate dairy cows are dragging out a pitiful 
existence, it is solely by the strenuous exertions 
of the farmers to provide fodder in some shape 
or form that they are kept alive. This fodder 
takes the form of materials which in prosperous 
times are looked upon as only fit to be burned or 
at best to be turned into manure. We hear of 
pO SST. even sawdust mixed with molasses being utilised, 
certainly not for milk production, but to distend the stomachs of valuable cattle 
with something solid, by which the gnawing pangs of hunger may be assuaged. 
We lately paid a visit to the farm of the Messrs. Skerman Brothers, at 
Harrison’s Pocket, 6 miles from Strathpine, on the North Coast line. The 
township is prettily situated on the railway line, and in seasons of normal rainfall 
presents a picture of the rural beauty common to many of the townships in this 
portion and in many others also of the State. At present, however, it shares 
the common desolation due to the drought: Nowhere is there a sign of bush 
vegetation, and only a miserable remnant of what should be luxuriant lucerne 
and corn fields. Accompanied by the artist to the Department of Agriculture, 
Mr. H. Mobsby, I journeyed to Strathpine, where we were met by Mr. P. 
Skerman, whose farm we proposed to visit. Notwithstanding the late rains, 
the road to the farm was dry and even, and in excellent order for a cyclist. 
The country is densely timbered with gum, ironbark, and peppermint trees, 
with, in places, a dense undergrowth of young box and other saplings, but there 
was no sign of other vegetation until we approached the farm, when a decided 
_ spring in the grass appeared due to the late casual showers. Should further 
rains be experienced, it will not be long before the whole of this portion of the 
district will once more put on its pristine verdant garb and the cattle their 
wonted sleek appearance. 
Our hosts were three brothers, all mechanics. It has been said that an 
engineer, blacksmith, or carpenter cannot be converted into a successful farmer. 
Against this, we may instance the case of a Queensland engine-driver who, on 
retiring from active railway work, became one of the most successful farmers 
in the Gatton district. It may certainly be said that the Skerman brothers are 
going the right way to prove that common sense, intelligence, and observation 
are very certain roads to success. They hold 32U acres of good grazing country, 
yery heavily timbered, but also containing some excellent scrub land long since 
cleared and under cultivation, whilst on the ridges there are considerable areas 
of rich chocolate soil of great depth, admirably adapted to the growth of 
fodder crops—crops which are essential to them for their purpose, which is to 
establish a thoroughly up-to-date dairy farm. 
This idea is being carried out in a very systematic manner, aided by all 
sorts of mechanical labour-saving appliances, which their scientific training 
enables them to apply to the best advantage. 
At present they are only milking about twenty-four cows, and, as may be 
imagined, the milk yield, under present circumstances, is very limited. So far 
the main product of the dairy has been cheese, but as soon as the drought 
breaks up 1t is proposed to produce cream on a large scale, which will be sent 
to a neighbouring butter factory. The milking-shed (Fig. 1) is admirably con- 
structed, and although Mr. Skerman has never seen the milking-shed at the 
