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Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 29, 13 October 1894, Page 3

Up to the end of September Victoria had exported thrice a 3 much butter as last year. It is expected that from 10,000 to 12,000 tons will be shipped this year, and that over £1,000,000 will be distributed amongst producers. ■ A 561 b block of butter brought from Australia in the refrigerator of the steamer Ballarat was recently exhibited at Cambridge. The Mark Lane Express says it was of a nice colour, and had been well made. At the Geelong A. and P. show a veterinary surgeon is provided to assist the judges of horses if required. In the opinion of one critic this system would be “ much more satisfactory to the owners of horses, ag what may appear to the amateur evidence of unsoundness may often be only a blemish to the more educated eye of a vet.’

In regard to bacon-curing, Mr Mortess, of Port Germein, South Australia} recommends packing hams and bacon in calico bags, first soaking the bags in good strong brine, and allowing them to dry, and then pack the bacon in wood ashes. He had kept bacon fresh for over twelve months by this method. Another farmer in the same district recommends packing in a zinc-lined case with red-gum saw-dust. He had seen bacon that had been packed away like tjhis for three years winning first prize at a show.

The exportation of fat cattle from Australia has been carried on for some time by Messrs Goldsbrough, Mort and Co., who have a vessel trading from the northern coast of Australia to Java, by which they send a shipment of eattle about every month.

A Hew Zealander now touring Australia says the best stock sale yards he has seen are those at Ballarat. They can accommodate 70,000 sheep, besides any quantity of cattle, and are well paved, clean, and with ample facilities for flushing if required. The amount of the egg product of any breed of fowls depends primarily upon many conditions of age, feeding, care, &c. There is no definite rule, but it may be said, speaking generally, Brahmas lay 100 eggs each per annum, Cochins some less, say 70 or 80, Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes 125, and Hamburghs and Leghorns 175. Brahma*, Cochins, Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks are all good sitters and mothers. The cattle, pigs, and sheep brought to the Union yards, Chicago, are sold by the live weight, and on the sale beingcompleted, which it is by private bargain, and not by auction, they are sent-'to the scales, whers they are inspected, weighed, and the certificated weight given. The scales can weigh IOOjOOOibs, but the average weight of a car-load is about 25,0001b5.