THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 356, 29 April 1911, Page 6

THE RURAL WORLD.

STOCK FEEDING. The drought of this season, comparatively mild in some few sections, bad enough in the majority of cases and positively disastrous in several instances, may yet prove a blessing in disguise, that is, if it will only force farmers in general, especially those concerned in milk production, to provide for unfavourable climatic conditions. Even in ordinary seasons, when farmers will be found congratulating themselves on good returns, the feeding of 3tock has seldom been as good as it should have been. Of recent years the dried-up late summer pastures have been augmented in many instances by green maize, which has provided the needed succulence of feed for milk formation, but the idea of a properly balanced ration for the dairy cow is practically unknown. The worst feature of New Zealand methods of cow feeding is that it is only when the animal is actually giving an immediate return that many farmers think of maintaining her feed at a proper standard. When she is dry she is left to hustle for herself. What should be a period of recuperation after a heavy drain on her system is too often one of starvation, and this at the very time when the beast should have her constitution built up, so that she will be able to give birth to a healthy calf and come at once to her best profit. It is not only a cruelty to the cow, but is. a penny wise and pound foolish policy to the farmer. Fortunately there is a better appreciation of the. dairy cow abroad. The herd-testing associations are awaking men to the possibilities in the heavy-producing animal, and the suicidai mistake they have been making year after year in feeding and milking unprofitable cows. This newfound knowledge, which as yet only a few dairymen possess, will inevitably mean a revolution in dairying practice in this country. It will result in the better farming of smaller areas, for with ten cows giving as much as twenty before, it will pay to feed, and feed right throughout the year. To make this possible the land must be cultivated and fodder crops, to supplement the pasturage, grown on a liberal scale. This will also mean better management of the cows. Shelter is imperative if full profit is to be obtained from heavy-milking animals and serious loss will result through trouble with such stock. Of course this evolution will not be in the immediate future. It will be a long process, but the commencement has been made. The chief thing which matters is the view-point of the mass of milk producers, who by refusal to provide in the season of plenty for the days of scarcity are not only weakening their individual positions, but are seriously affecting the prosperity of the country. Education in this connection is badly needed, and an excellent means of ensuing a more rapid recognition of business-like methods of managing stock would be the inclusion of the subject in the course in elementary agriculture at the rural schools, so that the coming generation at least may know what should be the right and most economic course to follow.

SUCCESSFUL EXPONENT OF RURAL EDUCATION.

There is nu more capable man in the field of elementary agricultural instruction than Mr F. Brown, director of Technical Instruction in the Hawera district. He knows his subject, and is keen and enthusiastic in everything regarding it. At the annual meeting | of householders at Hawera the other day his work was referred to in a highly complimentary manner. Some opinions regarding the branch of elementary agriculture which Mr Brown has made a special study of, dairying, expressed on the occasion in question are worth quoting. Speaking of the progress made at the Hawera Technical School, Mr Braik, Chief Inspector of the Wanganui Education Board, said he had read interesting statements sent down from time to time throughout the year by Mr Brown, and he had been very much impressed as time went on to find that in conducting the work at the school they were getting nearer to the root of technical instruction. As far as argicultural instruction went, Hawera took first place amongst the schools in the board's district. What had been accomplished he attributed to the skill of the director and the enthusiasm of the committee. A keener naturalist than the managing director he had never known. He knew all about this particular department, and though not a farmer he knew every variety of plant and animal life, the properties and capabilities of the soil, and the adaptability of plants to the soil. There was one subject which ought to be very popular, but had been missed, and that was the science of dairying. If this was not developed hero, where may it be developed? They had a laboratory in Hawera, and he would like to hear Mr Brown's opinion on the question he had referred to. Mr Brown said that as far as dairying work was concerned, the work of testing was carried out in practically every school, but the work undertaken should be on more advanced lines, and attention should be especially given to bacteriology. This kind of instruction had been introduced into the Wanganui school, where he beliveed it was greatly appreciated. The Education Department were holding back part of the equipment for the school, and to start without fully equipped laboratory would be worse than waste of time. If such instruction as that suggested by Mr Braik were given they would soon have a very keen, if not a very large class.