FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 2, 27 January 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

FARMING FIGI'HES. There has hern a good deal uf sorrowing in connection with the fuel that the Dominion's export for the year 1008 had fallen considerably short of those for 1007. A perusal of the Agricultural and Live Stock statistics for ten years (1808-1007), issued by the Department, will show that, while the deficiency in 1008 exports as compared with those for 1007 is to be regretted, the comparison is scarcely it fair one to make, having regard to the circumstance that 1007 was in some respects an exceptionally prosperous year—a year in which the increase in wool exports and prices alone amounted to almost 11 million pounds over the 1000 figures. A truer lest 01 the Dominion's prosperity is to be found in a comparison of the figures for the 10-year period alluded to, and these should afford gratification even to hardened grumblers, for they show a steady increase throughout the period. Ten years ago, for exam],,,:, the fro/en beef anil mutton exported was vjilued at £007,082. That figure has been gradually improved upon until last year the beef and mutton exports reached the respectable total of C1,4.i1i.(i:17. In the year .18011 the fro/en lamb exported amounted lo £JU.'l,Kliii. 11l 1008 the lamb exported totalled UI..iIH,:J!B. During the same ten year period the butter reports increased from £-133,481 to

'J1.140.111J. ami cheese rose from £lOll,002 to 'Jili."),:!os. In 1008 Hie (aimers received i.'1,7011,(100 less for \\o"l than Ihr.y did in 1007, and this fad formed the chief -round for complaint. 11. seems to be over-looked, however, that, with the solitary exception of the year 1000, the wool figures for 1008 were higher than those for any other year ill the history of .New Zealand. Compared with tea vears ago there was an increase •» I!K)S' of C 1,4:17,877, the figures rising from £4,27:1,030 lo £5,710,027. The year 1008 was a test one for New Zealand fanners and they have reason to •remember it. But when all has been said and done, there, is good ground for congratulation on the remarkable progress of the Dominion whose, exports have increased in 10 years—a comparatively brief period—from £10,058,780 to .cnf.11R.221, 1111 increment of over six millions. A notable feature of the statistics is the. big decrease shown in the exports of grain. These fell away from £1.012,354 "in 1002 to £75,004 ill 1008. With an increased local consumption the area of land in corn, and pulse crops have, decreased gradually for some years past, although there was a larger acreage under cultivation in 1008 than for many previous wears. Whereas corn crops have, been declining, increased attention has been given to green crops, to 705.342 acres in 100?. The opening up of lands heretofore uncultivated and non-pi'oihietive has been accountable for a. big increase in the acreage under grasses, with the result that, though there is less wheat grown, the entire area in cultivation has shown an increment in the ten years from 1)071735 lo 15,330,180 acres, waile the total eica in occupation rose from 34,380,25S lo 37,504,218 acres. Live slock likcvise shows an increase, the figures being : Horses from 258,040 in 1808 to .15.!.'.:..'. in 1007 ; cattle from 1,203,024 to I-.10, 200 ; sheep from 10,073,725 to iO.Os.V 772 ; and swine, from 103,512 to 241,128. All these figures, ill the main, show that the Dominion has made good progress during the past decade, while the future remains full of promise.- Hawera Star.

Exports of butter from Victoria lo destinations beyond the Commonwealth during 1(108 showed a decrease of 12,74t,,8:!51b. or over 30 per cent., as compared with tile previous year, the •total being 21.073,1051b, against 34.171.0401b. The value was £1,038,144, or a decrease of £500,030.. The falling-oil was due to the dry summer and autumn early iu file year, and to the losses of cattle which'have restricted the production in the spring months.

Cow-testing associations will double the yields of cows which are properly fed, but will do little for the dairy farmer who allows his herd to depend upon the fluctuating grass crop. In South Africa a cow is suffering from leprosy. Her ears arc—or were, as she lias been killed—quite bloodless anil were cut oil' inch by ~ich without hurting her. Fancy milk from such a cow ! the marvellous productiveness of our climate is shown by the fact that dairying can he so profitable and dairying laud so valuable under a system which only secures 50 per cent, of the possible returns from the cows.

Work in breeding for milk production seems to show that (a) superior dairy eons may be found in all breeds, (h) -purebred females are not essential to' success in dairy farming, but (e) a purebred bull should always be used.

Dr. 1,. Grauileaii, the. well-known French chemist, has, as the rcsuU of experiments, reported thai dried skim milk is 11 very satisfactory feeding stuff iiir horses. l,t is used to best ailvaiilag l

Warm l.ran mashes given lo cows after calving have a comforting and healing I'll'cet. Bruised maize boiled! and inixvil with bran is also found ve-v useful, liock salt in large lumps placed iu vessels and put ill the fields and also in the houses, so that the animal can lick at their leisure, is most necessary.