THE FARM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4468, 18 September 1922, Page 4

THE FARM.

FRIESIAN COW’S RECORD. A motion was enthusiastically carried at a big conference of Friesian breeders at Palmerston North, congratulating Mr Vernon Marx, of Mangatoki, upon the great record established by Jits Friesi,an cow, ALcartra Clothilde Pictje, which was the first cow of- any breed in Australasia :o produce lOOOlbs of butterfat in one season. No cow of any breed had produced a similar amount o” butterfat in twelve months, whereas Mr Marx’s champion had given slightly more than lOOOlbs of fat in 10' months. The chairman (Mr C. E. Robertson) stated that he had recently inspected this fine cow in the company of Mr W. D Hunt, the president pf the New Zealand Friesian Association. She promised to give over 30,0001bs of milk and about lllOlbs of fat in tne full twelve months. Moreover, she would calve again within 30 days o' finishing her test. This cow had never been housed, but ran out with other cows on 'her owners" farm throughout the year. Under the conditions ef this test her performance was a world’s record for all breeds. It was decided to endeavour- to arrange with the owner to have his cow on exhibition at the Manawatu Spring Show. ' Mention was also made of the fact that a heifer in Taranaki, which had a

milked in only 'three quarters throughout the year, promised to fin- . ish up her year’s test with a pro- ( duction pf about 8001 b fat. This ; would also be a record for all breeds, | and was an outstanding prrformanee in the circumstances. JOTTINGS. In the manuring of potatoes a series of trials carried out in Ireland indi- j cate that the best results on most | soils may be expected fi'om t'he appli- , cation of lewt sulphate of ammonia, ' 4cwt of superphosphate, and lewt muriate of potash per statute acre, tn addition to a moderate dressing of farmyard manure. Warts on the teats of the milk cows are very troublesome. There are various methods of removing warts, and for those situated On the outside of the teat a few applications of cala- ' niine ointment usually effect a removal; Good stock must always be associated with good farming. Whatever may be the future of New Zealand agriculture, the farmer can be assured that pedigree stock will always be ■ in demand. Purebred sires are a most essential; I feature in the production of! good i | stock. It is never advisable to use ■ j a badly bred boar of any. breed, as I the result will invariably prove disappointing. 1

I The prospects of a prosperous I dairying season have the effect of reI viving interest in the various breeds ■ of dairy cattle. In this connection Mr | W. Scott, Government dairy inspector 1 at Opotiki, states that in one case 10,8001 b of butter-fat has been produced in one season from 50 acres by a Shorthorn herd. With butter-fat vt Is 6d per pound the income from this herd is £BlO. The Victorian agricultural statistics for 1921-22, compiled oy the Government statist, disclose a moderate increase in the area sown in potatoes, and a corresponding gain in yield when compared with the figures for the preceding year. The area was 63,895 acres., against 62,687 acres, and the yield 173,660 tons, against 171,628 tons. The .average yield an acre was 2.72 tons, aaginst 2-74 tons. The area planted in onions was substan Hally less than for 1920-21; being 6158 acres against 8000. The falling off in the yield was even more pronounced, as the average production an acre was 5.13 tons, as compared with 5-37 tons- The total, at 31,586 tons, shows a decrease of 11,399 tons., or more than 25 per cent. From an area of 23,227 acres sown in maize a yield of 951,960 bushels was recorded, the average yield an acre being 40.99 bushels. In the preceding year the area was 24 149 acres, the yield 1.065,880 bushels, and the average an acre 44.14 bushels.