Dairy Matters.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 211, 12 September 1901, Page 3

Dairy Matters.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —When the farmers of this district were being educated on the dairy business and its attendant advantages, the manager of the Stratford Bacon Factory was mentioned as having given his opinion on the question of the kind of pigs suitable. As I have had considerable dealings with

Mr Moroney (and always heard him uphold the Tamworth breed), I wrote to him about a month ago, and his reply has just come to hand ; so, for the benefit of the farmers in this district, please publish the enclosed letters. I would also request the fanners of this district to compare the same with Mr W. D. Lysnar’s article on pig rearing, as published in your papers, and also in the valuable pamphlet issued to the farmers of this district. I should not have referred to this subject again, but this is an industry that the dairyfarmers must follow up if they are to make a success of the dairy industry in this district, and these letters coming from men of experience like Mr Moroney, manager of Stratford Bacon Factory, and from such a weJi-known breeder as Mr Robson, should help farmers to decide this question for themselves. —I am, etc., Thus.' McGreoor. September 10th, 1901. Tho following are the letters referred to by Mr McGregor:—

Stratford, September 2nd, 1001. Mr McGregor, Hear Sir, —In referring to your letter about Taimvorth pigs, I have always upheld this breed, and still do so. I never told anyone that the Tain-

worth pig was no good. My advice to all farmers is to have the cross between the Tamworth and Berkshire, as they are the heaviest pigs of the age I have ever received at tho factory. The people that run the Tainworth down are those that cross them with a wrong class of pig. I j | am enclosing a letter from a man who I goes in heavy for the half Tainworth here, so you will he able to see his opinion on 1 it.—l am, etc., I D. Moiioney. Pembroke road, Stratford, A.ugust 14th, 1901. 1 To Mr Moroney. Bear Sir, —lie my opinion of Tainworth Berkshire pigs, I may say I have had pigs of all sorts for over twelve years. For tho last three years, I have bred the Tainworth Berkshire, and fattened a big quantity, never having less than fifty or sixty on hand. 1 can always get them up to ISO and 200 lbs gross weight at from six to seven months old, against tho Berkshire at eight and nine months. I had a trial this year with four Berkshires. They were 12 days younger than the Tamworth Berkshire. I sent the Tamworth Berkshire to tho factory, aud, as you will remember, they averaged 2001bs gross weight. Two of the best of the Berkshires were sold to Mr Black, butcher, and dressed 104 and S2lbs respectively. They were all fed together, but the Berkshires were tho bosses at the trough, and so got tho best show. The last two of the Berkshire's went to tho factory five weeks later, being then three weeks older than the Tamworth Berkshires, and weighed i ltifi and lTUlbs, which ought to provo to : anyone the value of the Tamworth cross, i As far as my experience goes, I find them i hardy, and easily fattened; but, to get 1 the best results, you must breed them to the fine Berkshire. I can’t understand ] ‘why some people arc prejudiced against them, unless it is with crossing them with t Captain Cookers; they will then grow 1 big and coarse. —I am, etc., i

Josni’ii Fiouso.v