THE PRINCE AS FARMER

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1924, Page 4

THE PRINCE AS FARMER

-NEW HREED OF SUM Fl'. STOKE..CI.IMSI.AXI), July :K On his Homo Farm at the heiul of tile Tamar Valley the Prince of Wales lias established a new breed of sheep. It is a cross between the Kerry Hill anil Dartmoor breeds, and is claimed to be the ideal sheep for this part of the count ry.

The Prince could give points to maiiy farmers in his knowledge of scientific farming. He realised that his tenants, from one cause or another, were not getting the best out of their farms, and he determined some years ago to take over two or three farms as they fell vacant, work tlii-iu according to the latest methods, and experinvlit with cattle and crops until' he discovered the very best of ovoryfliiiig for the soil, climate, and conditions in Cornwall. It has been a difficult task, for Hie farmers of Cornwall are a eon-orvalive race. Hut although some still regard with diffidence the modern appliances employed on the Prince's farms, they do appreciate very keenly the results obtained. Take crops. Mr David Aiinaml, the Prince's manager, makes a point of securing every kind of new seed produced and testing it on the Home

Fanil. If it. is a failure the farmerof Cornwall are told all about it and they have the advantage of profiting by the failure at the Prime's expense. Should the trial prove successful, the same generous information is given. CATTI.E AND PICS. With regard to cattle, the Prince has established three pedigree herds

two of Shorthorns and one North Devons. Thousands of pounds have been spent on securing the best pedigree stock, the use of which is available to Cornish farmers tit a very nominal fee. The Home Farm herds have won more than L’lttl prizes at cattle shows throughout the country. Pig breeding in the county has recently received it great impetus by the registration of the Large Lop-ear White, a breed which does remarkably well in Cornwall, but was not •‘fancied" until a little while ago when tinPrince's malinger, in conjunction with other experts, secured the opening of a Herd llook. One thing in which the Prince hits

so far failed is the improvement of the horses in the county. The internal combustion engine has la-aten him. He went to great expense in providing pedigree horses—Civile-dale. Hackney. and blood —at the Home Farm, but the motor ago. with its tractors and other farm machines, has defeated his purpose. Farmers do not even want hacks; all 01. them have motorcars. Ihtl this is not allowed to interfere with the work ol the Stud harm at Tor Royal. There the Prince breeds his own hunters, and by cross-

ing Arabs with the .Moorland ponies is trying to breed a new polo pony. Si far success has not smiled on him. The Prince is also trying to bring home to farmers the possibilities ol scientific poult tv keeping. An old monastic building long used tor farm

purpo-os at Landulp has been set aside for poultry keeping under the care of an ex-South African oll'icer, Mr Adrian Duplessis. Here "Utility chicken-; are bred from prize strains and lards and sittings .-old to tanners at reasonable rates.

Tin* Mil. lie will have Ml oppnrl unity uf seeing miiii*.* tin' tin' I’l'im-e's s |ni*|< 111 I 111- I'tililv I’l'illtry show ill , tin- Rriti-h Empire Exhieilion i'‘• -Vt ii*i ui t li.