FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 279, 19 November 1908, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

DAUISI'JJJG ITEMS. More milk and rich milk—that is the object both in the interest of the duiry former and of the nation. Letting a cow become poor is a great and permanent loss that no amount of after care and food can replace. It should be our aim from the 1110- [ ment the calf is born until it is a fullgrown animal to keep it in a thriving ami growing condition. The best milkers are those that are loosely built from last rib to hips and roomy in the Hank. A cow with good digestion will ensure .profit to the owner. A record should be kept of the breeding of each cow, so that it will be known when she is to qa[vk, and then allow her to go dry six weeks before calving. To have the heifer develop into a profitable cow her lirst milking period must be extended as long as possible, in order to produce a fixed milking habit. It is a mistake to omit the morning milking during the time of scant production, as some farmers do, als it invariably results in still further and permanent loss. Cleanliness is an important factor. The cows should be regularly brushed, and all the work should be done quietly and at regular times, so that the cows are not disturbed. I It is almost needless to say that it is necessary to devote continual care, and attention to a dairy farm if it is to , show a satisfactory profit at the end of the year's operations. - Trials' have been made to test the influence of age, and it would appear that young cows yield richer milk than old [ animals, and'that cows of from five to

nix years produce a» average quality. A marked improvement in the dairy cow generally speaking should be the outcome 01 the improving of pedigree slock; at present, .however, it cannot lie, -said to have greatly advanced the interests of the ordinary dairy fanner. Those who have observed the fastidious tastes of dairy cows are careful, to keep the prime hay separated from the pooi- and coarse; grades and carefully throw out all that may be musty. Thi! dairy farmer must breed only from the best cows, and must take rare to mate his c ows with a »«U of equally good qualitv, because it is certain that the qualities of the father as well 'as the mother are passed on to the offspring. . The Ayrshire cow has not received her just dues in this country. She is not an enormous producer, but she is an economical coiv, and for thousands of men who are not full feeders she will maintain condition and give, n good flow of milk. As the Jerseys have been bred for economic butter'production, so the Holsleins have been bred for a much longer period for milk production, and they will make a quart of milk, regardless of its fat content, for less than any other cow on earth. The interior wall of the dairy should be kept clean and light-coloured. If whitewash is used, a fresh coat should he applied at least once a year, and oftener if necessary, to keep the walls clean and white. .Mould spots should not be permitted.

Give the pigs plenty of charcoal and ashes. 'Jive »alt once a ,week. 11, is far better to liave a eliurn too large than too small. The small churns are'quite ofteii responsible for the long weary hours spent i'n turning the crank. It is a fact liable to be overlooked that just as we can improve pasture by proper treatment, so we can impoverish them by an improper system of grazing. Sheep, be it said, frequently die from blood-poisoning after a slight prick. Why should not shears be rubbed with some antiseptic preparation!! Over-washing butter is liable to subtract from a full and rich llavonr so do not overdo that.

Ayrshire* have been bred to meet the wants of the thrifty Scotch people, economical and saving. The calf should have plenty of room in which to play, lind many of the dairymen provide caltsheds and lots where such exercise may be had.

A quarter of a century ago farming hi France was a dying industry, while to-day it is in a nourishing condition.

Cow peas make an excellent food for dairy cows when combined with oilier grain and fodder in proper proportions, 'i'liey are highly concentrated and ni trogeuous Farming is a business, aad the successful farmer must be, lirst of all, a business man.

it does nol take much money to. own a Babcock tester. With oho you call tell just which of your cows arc making a yroliL ami which ones arc losing money. To keep cows' -teats from cracking, grease them once a week with vaseline. 11 will keep them soft ami save the poor brute considerable, para. There is a constant growing demand for labor-saving devices so as to cheapen production. ISo the farmer must constantly study new ways ami adopt new methods, if he wishes to keep abreast of the times.

The Swiss goat's milk is considered very line in Uavour anud nutrition, containing about twice as much butter-f.it as that of the best cow's milk. Goats are /practically immune from all diseases,- winch makes the milk a valuable factor when used by infants and invalids.

A quart of skim milk contains a 'argot proportion of the nutrilivo elements than an equal part of cream, as tream is almost entirely heat producing and fat-producing, whilu the elements of growth—nitrogen and mineral matter—are contained in the skimmilk, yet cream sells at a much higher price than skim-milk. It is very often found that a cow which is an inferior producer is a large consumer o'f food, Say, for instance, the supposed best cows are large producers of a poor quality of milk, would it not be far more profitable to obtain the same quantity ot butter or ehevse from a less number of cows 1

Tomato (plants have recently b|e?ii| grafted on potato plants, giving a crop of tomatoes above ground and potatoes below. Potatoes grafted on to tomatoes have produced llowcrs and tomatoes and a few tubers. One of ilr 11. It. lihodes's polled bullock from Tni Tapu, when killed, turned the scale at 108 Mb. A \ ictorian resident who visited the Waikato recently lias written to a resident of Wellington stating that lie consider* the possibilities for small farmers in Urn Waikato niucli greater than those in \ ietoria. It is understood that )f : was acting, during his visit here, as representative for a party of Victorian fanners, who, being in possession ;0l about. C 40.000 in cash, propose to settle in the Waikato distiict, if suitable areas can he obtained at a reasonable figure. The gentleman referred to has formed a highly favorable opinion of the land for the dairying industry. The percentage of lambs from a Hock of 11)00 ewes on Mrs Jlealey's estate, Seatown. Canterbury, was llili, which i* believed t» be. a record lambing fM New Zealand for =» large a Hock.