PROGRESS OF PAHIATUA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1763, 30 May 1913, Page 8

PROGRESS OF PAHIATUA.

DAIRYING DEVELOPMENT. According to figures published in tho Tahiatua "Herald," the Ballanca Dairy Company, which was tho first company to initiate tho co-operative movement in tho Pahiatua district, manufactured 451 tons of butter from the beginning of the present season up to March 31, an increaso of G| tons 011 last year's quota for tho same period. In addition to tho Ballance Company's returns, butter is also made at Mangatainoka and Makuri, while the New Zealand Farmers' Union Dairy Company runs a creamery at Makairo. About 200 tons of butter was made at Mangatainoka during the period in question, but as most of tho cream was received from outside sources only a portiou can be credited to tho Pahiatua district. Tho Ballance Dairy Company also received a small supply of home-separated cream from outside tho district. If tho butter output for the period mentioned, therefore, is assessed at 500 tons, it will give a very'fair idea of the extent to which the industry has'grown in the district. From an £ s. d. point of view, unfortunately tho position this year is not so bright as last year. The Ballance Dairy Company, however, disposed of portion of its output at the commencement of the season. This has since proved a very wise step, as it lias enabled the company to pay a good price to suppliers for butter-fat. The payments during the present season totalled .£13,558 15s. 3d., being .£Bl9 in excess of tho payments for the first nine months of last year. This amount lias already been distributed, in the district, but it docs not by any means represent the full value of the 451 tons of butter mado by tho company. Valuing tho estimated quantity of butter made during the period under review at J2llO per ton, f.0.b., the 500 tons was worth approximately .£55,000. When the value of the by-products is added the butter industry's commercial value to tho Pahiatua district during, the period of this season ended March 31, may be set down as follows:—, Butter 55,0C0 By-products . ; .£II,OOO Total .060,000 Tho value of the cheese industry to the district for tho samo period was J.'35,7"4. When this amount is added to the butter turnover,, the value of tho dairying industry to the Pahiatua district for tho first nino months during the present seaeon is brought to over ieiol,ooo, mado up as follows:— Butter *60,000 Clieeso .£38,774 Total .£101,771 In view of tho somewhat low prices ruling for butter and cheese in tho Homo markets, the total is indeed a very large one. Had the prices remained as high this season as last year, the winnings from the land in the Pahiatua district, ns' the result of the extensive dairying operations carried on during the first nino months of tho present season, would have totalled .Clin,ooo. Although in some parts' of' tho district tho land is carrying stock nearly to the limit of dairying capacity, there is still ample room for extension in other parts. The Makuri district, which is recognised as one of tho best summer districts in the North Island, is an unimportant centre as far as dairying is concerned, despite the fact that an up-to-date butter factory is within the reach of every farmer in that district. Tho home-separa-tion system is carried on in a small way at Ngaturi. Both districts, however, are capable of carrying a large number of cows, and the dairying-industry could be developed to great advantage. Even tho cheese factory manager can lighten the load of responsibility that bears him down—by installing "Victor" Vats in place of thoso old-fashioned flatbottom vats. The "Victor" has a sloping bottom, and a central drain, which ensures a perfect flow of whey, thus, leaving the curds high and dry. This is the way to success. By this means you tret better quality cheese, better prices, and bigger profits, ir'end for particulars of the "Victor" Vat to-doy—it's worth while. A. J. Parton, Plumber, Carterton.—Advt. INCUBATORS FOR ini3--Now i 3 the time to book your requirements for coming season. Full particulars on application.- A. and P. FOOD CO, Wellington.—Advt