GLENBROOK.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 57, 7 January 1913, Page 4

GLENBROOK.

MORE FARMS VISITED. Having a couple of hours to spare Ij decided to finish some of my enquiries in Glenbrock, so taking a byroad from Pukeoware I passed the farms of Messrs Sands, Harris and Shakespere, where plenty of choice pasture was noticeable. 1 crossed to the Waiuku-Glenbrook road, close to Mr W. King's homestead. Unfortunately Mr King was away from home, he having to take a day rcund tha various metal contracts to measure and size up the different heaps before the Saturday's Road Board meeting. Opposite Mr King's is the very handsome residence of Mr Bishoff, where a beautifully laid-out house and surroundings was sean, but again no owner could be found, so a further run of about two miles, and over the Waitangi stream, brought me to the model farm'of Mr T. D. Reid. REIU PARK. This estate originally contained eume 980 acres, but recently two blocks have ueen sold, ai.d now only 430 acres is left wiib Mr Reid, but with the intense cultivation carried out even this area is found too large to handle to the best advantage. I found the owner discing in a 90 acre paddock that had been ploughed some time previously, and grass that was making a very determined effort to grow was being cut up. Mr Reid was practically the pioneer of top-dressing in these parts, and miny years ago, when he used to sow large quantities of slag, people used to say he was wasting money and was "mad on slag." Rut what do we find to-day? Why, a farm in tiptop heart, cattle in the primest of condition and a substantial profit being netted. When first started enly about 2 cwt. of top-dressing was used to the acre, but now 4 cwt. slag, followed by 2 cwt. super, has proved the best for this land, and the paddocks ctrtainly show to advantage, a first-rate sole of grass being everywhere conspicuous, and practically any field could have been cut for bay. Mr Reid does not save hay though, and finds that by understocking his cattle come through the winter in perfect condition, and all the worry attending haymaking at this tricky season is saved. Of course, the larger area makes this possible where it would not be eo on a smaller farm. Fifty tons of top-

dressing has been ordered ior the coming autumii. 'there is a special herd of 83 milking cows, all Jerseys or grade Jerseys. These have been bred ftom absolutely the pick of this Dominion. The herd was started ftom G Day's noted strain, and additions from Tapp's and Lancaster's hava been regularly bought, price not being studied to secure the very best stud. A bull was used that was bred from a cow of Mr Lancaster's, she having been sold for 80 guineas. Other balls had been bought for 30 guineas a3 yearlings, fo there is assurance of the cest of quality. The creamery cheque for the past two months from these 83 cows was £174 lis and £147 14s respectively. I don't suppose there are many herds in the country doing better, and when it is faken inta consideration that there are 16 heifer?, the result becomes all the more commendable. The tests have so far averaged about 4 2, the quality in this respect sgain showing itself. At one time Mr Reid was the owner of several notable entires, the names of Salisbury Yet, Dr Seddon, Federation. The ueneral, and Agamemnon being well-known round the district. Salisbury stock is still plentiful all over the country; and has proved to be of splendid stamina.

Mr Reid has a powerful 25 b.p. Daimler motor car, which cost close on £IOOO, in which he takes regular trips all nund New Zealand On the Premier's recent visit to Waiuku Mr R?id very kindly attended with his car and conveyed the Ministerial party out and back. These holidays, a trip was to te taken through the King Country to Wellington, a similar trip having been taken to Napier last year. As Mr Reid has been practically over all the roads in New Zealand, a chat on these matters proved interesting. Pe says the roads round these parts are without question the worst in the Dominion; no judgment is used in laying the metal, large and small being dumped down indiscriminately, whereas if the stone was screened and the large and coarse put underneath and the fine on top a good road would he made. In no other part he had visited had the roads been allowed to get in the negected state they do in this and adjoining counties

On the farm I noticed some valuable clumps of puriri and many scenic reserves of native bush, the spot where the picnic is usually held being one of the beauty spots of the district. A la>-ge modern residence, fitted up with the latest improvements, makes a model country dwelling house. Bright beds of flowers and neat kept gardens add an increased charm to the surroundings.