AMONG THE DAIRY FARMERS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 311, 18 September 1917, Page 1

AMONG THE DAIRY FARMERS

Mp R. F. Wilkinson's Herd On the sloping lands overlooking, yet within the Borough of Pukekohe, on the Tuakau road, stands the homestead and farm of Mr R. F. Wilkinson, whose name as a Jersey enthusiast is of more than local reputation. There is a charm about the homestead and its white painted gates, while the flowerbeds, showing a mass of colouring, indicate that Jerseys alone are not the only animate things which receive care and attention.

When our representative called a few days ag) he found Mr Wilkinson resting on the balcony from which could be seen a glorious vista of Pukekoho in the distance, while the famous Pukekohe hill lies close by the farm to the left. Divided into 14 convenient paddocks, the area of th 9 farm is uuder 60 acres. Potatoes are represented by 5 J acres, and these, despite the recent inclement weather, are already showing their vigorous growth. Hnlf un acre, now in fallow, was sown in carrots while one acre in lucerne shows that some variety iu cultivation is practised here. Mr Wilkinson is a great believer, too, in pigs and lie has a fine run for these close by his bush of 3 acres.

As showing what can be done on •56 acres, Mr Wilkinson has 26 head of grown cattle, 20 head from ono to two years old, 18 calves, and six horses. These were all wintered on the place, which means that 65 head were fed on 5C acres and kept in good condition. With regard to the Jersoy pedigree stock six, all registered, had been through the semi-otlicial test and their records were as under : Golden Swan's Girl, age at commencement of test 3 years HI 1 days: milk produced 12,040 lbs, butterfat 56355. Iu milk 365 days. Titanite's Lass, age at test 3 years 140 days: 7970 lbs milk, butterfat 530-44. Milking 365 days. Titanite, iage attest It years 277 days: 11,177 lbs milk, butterfat 513 88. Milking 338 days. Brown Eyes, age at test fi years 176 days : milk 7,070 lbs, butterfat 3154-81 lbs. Milking 328 days. Rose Tree, age at test 3 years 5 days: Milk 5,624 lbs, butterfat 317-62. Milking 318 days The Woodlands Belle, age at test 1 year 303 days : Mdk, 5,285 lbs butterfat, 300 57. Milking 2'.)S days.

It should be added that all the animals are grass ted only. Taking the records of the nix cows the average is ■!•'!<) lbs butteri'at. It may be added that all the cows are handmilkel. Some interesting notes wore mado concerning "Brown Eyos." This cow commenced her tost on the 2Nth February, I'Jlfi, had her next calf in the following Februaiy. Under private test this season, from Maich to August, she produced 1200 lbs of mi'lc more than the previous year. ".Rose Tree" and "The Woodland Belle" are aho cows of great j promise. It would be indiscreet to I discriminate but the latter is a re- . miiikablo animal. Great care was used by Mr WilkI inson in the st lection of a bull for ins herd and ho purchased Majestic (2UJ2) whose siro was Majesty Fox i (imp). "Majesty Fox'' has |.i I daughters who hold sonii-ofhcial re-

cords and these areruged in price £4OO each. "Majesty Fox" is regarded as one rf the best sires in the Dominion. Besides the pedigree stock Mr Wilkinson has some high grade Jerseys, all of which are systematically tested. At the present time Mr Wilkinson is milking nine daughters of "Majestic" and all uphold the highest traditions connected with the Jersey for butterfat production. Anyone interested in high-class dairying cattle should arrange to see Mr Wilkinson's fine herd, for he is in every sense a practical farmer and student in all that pertains to dairying and especially the sleek little Jersey.