FARMING UP-TO-DATE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1084, 10 April 1913, Page 3

FARMING UP-TO-DATE.

Our representative was yesterday shewn over v/hat is claimed be one of Hip ii>*u dairy fauns iu/ jc a.aii»cl, being that of Mr Waiter S. Carter, situ >rui at tiie * ust ■nd o ill' 1 uoiough. Ii is imu.;uDteciiy ticulany well appointed, and Mr Carter’s progressiveness in this particular could with advantage be copied by other farmers in the district. The milking shed, which is 30 feet long, has a concrete floor, and the yard, 36 feet by 30 feet, is also concreted. Water is laid on throughout, and the whole is provided with ample concrete channels for draining purposes. The water used is artesiau, pumped by means of a windmill, but provision has bccu made for the hoisting of the water by means of a steam engine should the windmill get out of working order. Alter leaving the milking shed, the milk is taken to a concretefloored dairy, in which is installed a cooling plant, and from thence to the milk carts, which are also under roof, thus minimising the possibility of any dust coming into contact with the milk. The whole of the buildings are kept scrupulously clean, and are a credit to those in charge of them. The watering of the stock in the fields is provided for by a cylinder well, . the water from which is pumped into a concrete reservoir on a small hill, which has a holding capacity of some 4,250 gallons, and from there it is distributed by means of pipes to concrete troughs in other paddocks. The troughs are provided with ball cocks, thus ensuring an ample supply of water for the stock at all times. Mr Carter intends, in the near future, extending this method of watering his stock to all parts of the farm. Mr Carter believes in keeping up-to-date with his farm machinery, and has lately purchased a Manitoba stacker, which is now working in the making of stack ensilage from maize. This stacker is the first of its kind introduced into this district. It is a simple contrivance, but is a great labour saver. It is comprised of four Oregon pine poles, two being placed at each end of the slack, and connected at the top by means of a wire rope. The bundles of maize—weighing anything from three to five cwt. —are hoisted in a sling, by means of a horse, up to the wire rope, along which it runs until it reaches the part of the stack where it is required, and is then released by means of a rope operated from the ground. The hoisting of three or tour cwt. of maize takes but a minute or two, whereas much more time and a great amount of labour would be expended in stacking it without the machine. The stacker can be used in connection with all kinds of stacks.