DAIRYING IN RIVER DISTRICTS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 665, 6 September 1921, Page 2

DAIRYING IN RIVER DISTRICTS.

OPENING OF THE SEASON,

ALLURING PROSPECTS

(By Our Special Representative.)

Throughout the various settlements bordering - the Waikato River, more than usual interest this year attaches to the opening of the new dairying season and, from marked.enthusiasm being everywhere displayed, it is obvious that those engaged in the prosecution of the industry are intent on leaving ino stone unturned to make the period a record-breaking epoch. The expansion 'of the industry in all districts which come within the province of the river settlements, stretching roughly from the Waikato Heads to Rangiriri, has, during' the past few years, been most phenominal. Herds have multiplied enormously, l provision for feeding the animals has generally received accentuated attention, while modern machinery and appliances, to enable the product to be handled, has been erected in great volume. Prices for butter-fat have been good, while an unprecedented run of good fortune has been experienced by owners of swamp lands in the matter of floods, which, excepting for July of last year, when the Waikato rose unusually high, resulting in a certain amount of flooding for a short period over some areas, no loss from this source has been experienced for some years past.

In anticipation of good prices again ruling, preparations which surpass all previous efforts put forth, have been made for the new season. The more plentiful supply of various fertilizers, and fall in the high price previously ruling for the same, has resulted in farmers applying a fair dressing to their pastures, indeed, it is safe to say more top-dressing has been undertaken hsince last spring than was. used in these districts during the whole of the war period. Not so much of this has, perhaps, been applied to the actual swamp lands, which, generally, are rich, and rlo not require a great deal of attention in this respect. ' The hulk of dressingused lias been "applied to adjoining high lands. From the point of the river known as the “Elbow,” southward to Rangiriri, much of this class of land is in evidence, indeed, there are four river farms in this area, which have not a portion of undulating land attached. Hitherto, this country has been used for sheep and cattle ’raising, but the recent slump in the ■ wool and dry’ stock markets, has resulted in many ’owners putting these areas to the more profitable use of dairying. Good stretches of this land were ploughed last summer, and sown with either turnips or grass, while a great acreage, showing a fair sward' of grass, has beer, extensively top-dressed. .Numbers of new cow-sheds have been erected, ana concreting of cow-byres has been prosecuted in all localities, while milking machines have been, and are being,, installed in astonishing numbers. Altogether, the preparations made are-of an extensive order. The purchase of dairy stock is a' feature • which is causing farmers much concern. Those who have gone in' for a policy of herd-building during recent years, are fortunate in this respect, but those who have' been content to breed from mongrel stock, have now either to carry on with the progeny of such stock, or pay high prices which have ruled of late for the- better class' animals. A pleasing feature to chronicle in this direction is that systematic culling-out is being generally adopted, while a judicious selection is being exercised in obtaining the best animals only to augment the depleted herds. Some are confining their purchases to herd-book stock, while others are buying from tested herds only, and are paying high values for their purchases. Although the beginning of August is generally regarded as the first of the season in Lire Aucklnad Province, conditions’in the "iver district rule, fully a month later. Farmers lay their plans in this direction, it beng recognised that the feeding, value of pastures on the swamps is much higher during the summer months than at an earlier period, while, of course, owing to the prolific growth of .forage right through the summer, the herds milk for a much longer period than those grazed on the uplands. In a few districts quite a

good sprinkling of cows have now come to profit, and another _ two or three weeks will find conditions beginning to assume the full-swing !o!e. The spell of fine weather lately experienced has been most favourable and a splendid green growth is everywhere apparent. In the lower clisti ids. from Mercer to the Heads, the usual carrying contracts for the conveyance of cream by road to the butter factories is now operation, while districts southwards from Mercer are sending the available nlips ’oy mat! launches and by rail from RaVigiriri. The -special cream launch services, which, annually run between Maramarua, Kopuku, Orton.

mu Ghm chill to Tuakau, will, as usual, commence running at tine beginning of September.

warm milk, enough .to mix to stiff dqjjgh, and mix with treacle, then add to flour and wheat meal. Bake in billy or tin with lid on for 11./l 1 ./ hours - and leave lid on for ten minutes after it is cooked. Nut Bread. Four cups flour, 4 teaspoonfuls baking powder, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup walnuts, 1 cup.milk (1 egg if liked); Method: Put flour into basin with % teaspoonful salt, add baking powder and sift all together; add sugar, walnuts (broken up) and then mix with the milk in which the beaten egg has been mixed. Put into greased tin and bake in steady oven for little over one hour. Brown Loaf. One cup flour. 2 cups wheatmeal, v 2 teaspoons c.' tartar, 1 teaspoon c. seda, 1 large teaspoon golden syrup, 1 cup milk, Yz teaspoon salt. Mix in usual way and bake for one hour in Steady oven. 'Scones. The different recipes for scones are many and varied. No two households make scones quite in the same way.

■(Continued on Jfage 3.)