THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2018, 1 March 1907, Page 4

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Speaking at Alangoniii, the Alinistor of Lands stated: “In tho more southern portion of Auckland, and the North Island, the dairy industry had been found to be the most important industry we had in the way of opening up tho country by settlement. It was an industry that appeared to give quicker return to labor than any other, and lie dared say that the enormous increase in population in the North, as compared to the South, bad been due, not solely to climatic conditions, but lo tlic dairying. A great deal of work had been done experimentally in connection with the industry. The Government had got out experts for the training of dairymen ill tlie lessons from Canada, the Alotber Country, and the Continent of Europe, and New Zealand had arrived at that stage when these countries could teach it very little further. No industry could he allowed to stand still, for that would mean going back, and the Department was now setting out on a forward movement in regard to the dairy industry to put it on its proper basis. It was the intention of the Government to set up an experimental station, where all information that could be got of a scientific nature, in regard to tlie milk and milking supplies, etc., would be obtained. The Government intended also, to set up a school of instruction for tlie butter and cheese makers all over the colony, so that there would be one system introduced into tlie country from North to South. The experts would be engaged in ascertaining the various food values for the stock, etc., and all this could only be learned in an experimental station. The Government intended to start that station soon, probably in the North Island. He supposed one of the best men the Government had in the industry was Mr. Singleton, and it was the intention to send him to Canada and tlie United States, and probably the AJother Country, to get all tlie information possible to enable tlie experimental station to be established, and probably on air. Singleton’s return be would be asked to take charge of that important branch. At Levin the Department had been specialising in regard to the dairy herds, and had been seeking, by eliminating tho worst cows in tho herd, to supply first-rate stock from one end of the colony to the other. As a result of two or three years’ work and close study of the herd, and getting to Levin the very best milking cows, it ‘had been found that tlic six best cows averaged over the milking season, something like rU,500 lb. weight of milk per cow. Comjiaring the six best with tho six poorest, and taking tho jirico of tlic milk sold at 101 d per lb. butter-fat, tliq six best averaged for the season .£ll 10s more than the six poorest. The best cow produced something like 12,5001 bof milk, bringing ill a cheque of over. £2l, and that would give ail idea of what could he done in dairy herds. While a proper system of getting only the best stock, and sending tlie worst to tho butcher, was followed, tho Department was seeking to build up tlie herd at Levin to anything from 50 to 100. It intended that the 100 should average over tho whole year something like 10,0001 b per cow. If the Department could get an animal like that, it would enable the Department to sell to dairy farmers all over tlie colony tile progeny of this herd, and raise tlie wealth producing capacity to an enormous extont. There were thousands and thousands of cows being milked in the colony that were not paying for their milking. The Department, in the endeavor to raise the standard of stock, was paying for their milking. The T '— -■>rtinent, in stock, was paying for the best cows it could get; practically anything tho owner liked to ask, and ho was prepared to pay for any cow equal to the best of the Levin herd from £2O to £3O.