THE PRIZE ESSAY.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 February 1918, Page 3

THE PRIZE ESSAY.

AT the Helensville A. and P. Association's Show, held on Monday, January 28th, the following essay on " The Dairy Industry of New Zealand," written by Miss Grace Forrester, was awarded first prize :

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY OF NEW ZEALAND. " What is worth doing, is worth doing well." A soldier was billeted in a home in the suburbs of London. When he came he was asked, " What country do you come from?" "New Zealand," he answered. " Oh, that's the country where our butter comes from!" was the exclamation. After listening to this conversation we draw the conclusion that New Zealand is world-famous for its butter. But what makes our country famous in this respect? First, let us examine its climate. It has a moderate climate, and in no part of New Zealand is the heat too great for the carrying on of this industry. It is necessary for the settler who is about to commence dairy-farming to see that the soil is suitable for grass-growing. Another import ant factor is the presence of reliable springs and creeks. The first thing to do after purchasing the land is to sub-divide it into paddocks in order that the supply of food may be regulated. The dairy farmer has a very busy Hie. Early in the morning the farmer and the men who are working for him get up so that they will be able to have the milking done in time to send the cream to the butter factory. Before the milk cools it has to be put through the separator to separate the cream from the milk. The cream is then taken to the factory to be made into butter. The skim-milk is given to the calves. In some places the work is made considerably lighter by the use of milking machines.

Before the war millions of pounds of butter were sent from New Zealand. Owing to the submarine campaign large quantities of butter, which were made in New Zealand last year, are still in the freezing chambers.