REVIEW OF THE CROPS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 12, 29 May 1912, Page 4

REVIEW OF THE CROPS.

Another good year for Farmers. It is very pleasing tu be able to congratulate the farmers on the good times that they have practically all participated in during the season that is now drawing to a close. Generally speaking, the season has been an exceptionally good one although in the case of potato and chaff growers prices have not been as good as we would like to see. Weather conditions, which play such an important part in lining the pockets of farmers, have been very favourable. It is unusual to get a season that suits both the dairyman and the crop-grower, but this season both have been fairly well satisfied. Dairying. As this is the main source of income it is naturally the first class that should come under review. During the winter recess the New Zealand Dairy Association were very busy enlarging several of their main factories, and also increasing the skimming power of others, whilst in addition to this the Waikato Home Separator Co-operative Company installed at Morcer to deal with the output of those who preferred this method of dealiug with their cream. It is very gratifying to know that both companies are more than satisfied with the results of the season. Although in both cases they thought that ample provision had been made, they found it most difficult to handle the large quantity of milk and cream that come forward, and further extensive, additions to their plants will have to be made during the coming slack season. The growth of the dairying industry is due to several causes, among which we may mention :—(1) the increased area of waste land that is being brought under cultivation : (2) the result of more systematic attention being given to the question of improving .and maintaining the pastures; and (3) the greater care taken by dairymen in selecting their herde. Of course, there are other reasons, such as climatic conditions which have been already mentioned, but we think the above three are the chief causes of the advances made by the Pukekohe and Waiuku dairymen. Winter dairying, which has seemingly come to stay, made its first appearance, in this district last year when the Dairy Association opened up a few creameries and commenced paying 1 s Id per Hi. for butter-fat. The new movement met with a ready response from the farmers, but unfortunately through lack of notice by the Association of their intention to make this departure, very few cow« were available so early. In the future, however, farmers will be better prepared to take advantage of the higher prices that are obtainable for winter daiiying. Owing to the mildness of our climate 1 here is no district in New Zealand better adapted for this class of dairying than Pukekohe and Waiuku, and the amount of feed showing on the farms in this district during the winter and early spring months is always an eye-opener to outsiders. It is too early to give the exact figures that will be recorded for this season, but we have no hesitation in saying even those directly interested will be sunu'ised when they are shown at the end of the season the amount of progress that has been made. (Tu be Continued Next Week)