DAIRYING ON PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5163, 10 August 1927, Page 2

DAIRYING ON PLAINS.

TOP-DRESSING AND DRAINING.

NEW SEASON’S PROSPECTS

Following a record output for the 1926-27 dairying season on th© Hauraki Plains-, the closing date of which is generally recognised as May 31, the indications are that the present season will be even more profitable to dairymen. This opinion is based on the results of the June and July milking and the splendid condition of pastures and stock in all parts of the Plains. A very favourable feature of the winter now passing has been the absence of floods. The rainfall for July was below the average, and the operations of the Lands Drainage Department and the Drainage Boards are reflected in a noticeable absence of surface water about the paddocks.

Though 1796 tons- of fertiliser were landed at Thames and Paeroa during the six-monthly period ended on June 30 last, it is thought by progressive farmers that top-dressing is not favoured nearly as much as it should be on such responsive pastures.

In collection with drainage matters Mr C. W. Parfitt, a well-known Pipiroa farmer, says that after experimenting for two years he is convinced that mole or underground drainage will eventually find universal acceptance with Plains farmers-. The paddocks drained by this system ar© easily the best on Mr Parfitt’s farm. He has devised a cheap and economical method of installing the underground drains, which he thinks- should be placed about one to one find a hall chains apart.