A PORK FARM.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2519, 18 April 1881, Page 2

A PORK FARM.

Although the raising of swine and the production of first class hams and bacon is undoubtedly one of the most promising of colonial industries, it has never been developed in New Zealand to anything like the extent that its importance warrants. In America, and not to travel so far, in some of the Australian colonies pork farms are a leading feature, and the incomes derived from these institutions go far to promote the prosperity of the communities among whom they flourish. One of the best efforts made in this direction yet in South Canterbury has been put forth by Mr R. Cole, of Timaru, whose farm is about four miles from town in the back country—Wai-iti. Mr Cole's farm is delightfully situated, and the soil is all that could be wished —a rich dark loam of unmeasured depth. The proprietor is an enthusiast in the pig-breeding line, and without resorting to any of the tactics that brought Bertie Saverna and Mr W. J. Hurst, M.H.R. into notoriety, his famous pure-bred Be r kshires have succeeded in carrying off for years past, the chief awards at the Christchurch and Timaru A.& P. shows. A slight description of Mr Cole’s farm will not be uninteresting It is redolent with some of the finest porkers to be seen in New Zealand. These are carefully attended to, the styes being remarkable for their cleanliness, and the porcino occupants evidently enjoying the clean straw litter that is spread for their benefit. Amongst those that claim special mention is the Duchess of Devonshire, a grand sow, bred at Windsor, England, eighteen months ago, which took the first prize at the Christchurch Agricultural Show. This fine animal, like a certain class of easy going individuals, is troubled with corpulence, and although a very abstemius diet has been accorded to her ladyship for many weeks past, the result is scarcely perceptible. Her condition is as painful as that of an overweighted mother-in-law, and her slender tapering limbs appear scarcely able to support the giant mass above them, and yet, with porcine perversity, she refuses anti-fat. very lino imported animal, stretching his Herculean form in swinish ease, rejoices in the name of Toby, is some twenty months old, and turns the scales at live cwt. This is certainly a gigantic member of the community, and.a prodigy for his age. There are many prize relatives in close proximity that bid fair to approach, if not to exceed the dimensions of their sire. In all there are about eighty pigs on the farm, but the cleanliness observed removes any unpleasantness from their presence. Everything is attended to in a painstaking manner. The drainage is conducted to a place for its reception distant from the owner’s premises and no unsightly offul is allowed to re-

main above ground. Some choice fowls occupy a large poultry yard which is „ fitted up in the most approved style, every attention being paid to the comfort of the birds. Some fine cattle wander over the surrounding pastures, and the dairy returns afford a handsome addition to the general revenue of the establishment. The fortunate owner of this choice little spot may feel justly proud of what most men would certainly call a decided acquisition. He has refused to put all his eggs in one basket, and we are assured that the pecuniary results of his pork-farm would make a good many civil servants in New Zealand regret that they have not applied the diligence devoted to the desk and counter to the care and mangement of prize Berkshires.