DANISH METHODS AND PRODUCTION

Shannon News, 31 December 1925, Page 4

DANISH METHODS AND PRODUCTION

DOMINION'S GREATEST RIVAL. ENORMOUS QUANTITIES, OF PIGS Writing from London,, Mr. A. Harris, a well-known Wanganui resident, gives some very interesting impressions of his visit to Denmark. "The larger .proportion of the various holdings are cultivated to provide a variely of green fodder," writes Mr. Harris, "also roots and cereal foods to a very much larger extent than in Ncu\ r Zealand, .so that the Danish people are always in a position to meet a dry season, which also contributes to .practically creating a butter-pro-ducing machine having an even output. They arc careful not to overstock, neither do they favour the cultivation or use of soft turnips, therelore run no risk of any butter taint. In my humble opinion this care In food rations, coupled with the special means provided at the factory for ripening the cream, with a speciai. machine for aerating before churning (an apparatus that I have not seen before"}, largely accounts for the higlier standard, of values attained in the British market and elsewhere These advantages are supplemented by the co-operative system of control, so that they are careful not to glut their markets. "It may seem incredible that these

small holdings an average of 300 bacon pigs and pOi'k each during .the course of a season, of the total consumption of Britain ia supplied from this, country, I am told, to such an extent are cereals grown and used up in pig - feed. All the flour consumed for their white bread is imported from America., There is a certain amount of black bread consumed made,with rye corn flour. Denmark produces its own siipply of sugar, manufactured from the sugar beet grown there, thi s being a side line to dairying. Labour for its cultivation is provided by the importation of women from Poland under the supervision of the Government,, who by strict regulations control their social, sanitary and iinancial Avelfare. The high system of intense cultivation demands a large expenditure for implements and machines, beyond the means of the average farmer. By a system of po-opeiation a 'supply Is i-'urchased and distributed, or lent to these small farmers;' on such a scute a s would be impossible by individual effort. The absence of,weeds would put to "shame either the Ihiglish or New Zealand farmer. " They haven't time to be running about to markets and saleyards; besides, their co-op-erative authorities market their products.