On the Farm.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 July 1913, Page 4

On the Farm.

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I " A discovery the importance of which can hardly be over-estimated " was the expression used l\y Professor Easteriield in Wellington in reference to Mr Aston's discovery of a preventive for busb sickness. One of its immediate results, he said, was that about a million acres of land in the North Island, which had hitherto been of little use for stock-raising-, were now available lor grazing purposes, It is a very remarkable fact that among the millions of sheep which have been examined at the Christchurch abattoirs, a case of tuberculosis has never been once discovered. The most common troubles in mutton are hydatids, glandular affections, and variovs cysts. Lambs are singularly healthy. Last year (to March 31 last), out of 18,000 odd lambf, only two had to be condemned, ana out of 118,000 odd sheep 313 were condemned With silage there is no need for the j dairy ~farcner to be ever short of feed for his stock. Not only should lie have suilicient silage for the immediate season, but he should have a reserve stack always on hand in view of any j unexpected failure of pastures or of acivsrse weather conditions. As showing the increased values in Northern Wairoa lands, it may be stated that thirty years ago, the late Sir Johu Log-au Cfimj^bell scid the Graham's I'eru instate of 1818 acres lor £600. and the same laud is ..now commanding- ,£'2o per acie. The adjoining propeity was purchased by Air John Ueimin for 4s od per acie, including all the standing kauri, and is now valued at £10 per acre. An other good bush property m the vicinity, contaiuiug 150 acres, was acquired by Mr li. J. Blade for £80, and its piescut value is also £10 per acre. The advantages of silage feedingmay be summed up thus : It keeps young stock growing, while it enables the cow to produce milk and butter - fat more economically ;it increases the production of milk and butter-fat ; more stock can be kept on a given area ; and it is the most economical scheme Gf suppryiug feed for milchcows during the suinuier months. A : supply t-hould always be kept (.n ha; d. i as it is the most valuable asse; tlte ■ farmer can possess.