FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 14, 10 February 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

! THE I'RICE OF PIUS. The rocent drop in the price of bacon pigs is a, matter of serious moment to die dairy farmer of Turunaki, for 10 by-product of dairying is so lcmuneialivc as tliis. The increase of disease in the pigs sent to the curing establishments is mainly responsible for the decrease in priee, and to eombat this state *>f affairs there must be brought about a change of methods. In the past the hog-miser paid little or no attention to the animals, except to feed to them the surplus skim-milk from the factory, and tramming them with a more nutritious food just to top them off. Considering the excellent margin of profit in pigTaising, it is surprising that better methods do not obtain. On the average dairy farm the conditions are such as ymus't, if persisted in, assuredly give the deathblow to the industry. The idea that the hog is a filthy animal by instinct is altogether erroneous. Place a young pig in a. sty and keen him under clean conditions, and you will lie surprised to see what a cleanly animal he "will become. He will deposit all the dirt of. the stye in one corner of the enclosure" and keep his bedding and feeding place particularly clean. In the warm weather lie will welcome a daily wash-off with the hose with as keen a relish as he has for the arrival of his meals. On the other hand, allow a hog to be reared amongst tilth, and he will become the most degraded and loathsome creature under the sun. On too many dteiry farms in Taranaki is the latter method allowed full sway. The pigs are not confined to enclosures of their own, but are allowed to roam around the paddocks surrounding the milking-shed at their own sweet (?) will. On a hot summer's day it is the usual thing to see the pigs—from the old brood sows down to the smallest , porker—wallowing in the drainage of the cawyard. We are informed that recent investigations in the world's leading laboratories have brought to light the fact that the greatest disseminator of tubercular germs is the excreta of affected cattle. Such, being the ease, it is not surprising that tubercular disease is largely ou the increase amongst swine. The position is a hard one for many dairy farmers. Taxed to their ■utmost with, heavyt rents, mortgager,, etc., long hours are necessary in paying attention to the dairy herd in order to get everyi available penny to. meet engagements. There is little time left or funds available to improve the conditions existing for pig-raising. The danger, however, of losjag the market is a most serious one, but it will have to be promptly faced. Should tubercular disease amongst swine further increase, it will mean that every pig will have to be subjected to rigorous inspection be- , fore being purchased. The loss thus ensuing to the farmer will be heavy; indeed, it will be much heavier than he can afford. The industry of hog-raising will either have to be put on a more sanitary and scientific foundation or else succumb by reason of the faulty methods, or want of methods, used. It is hardly likely that the farmers interested' will be so blind to their own interests as to allow the latter position to come about, seeing that Taranaki bacon finds great favor wherever placed oa the market. There, is still time during the ipresent season to institute a more sanitary system, but delay must not be further allowed, especially as the present spell of weather is conducive to the culture of all kinds of disease.

THE AUSTRALIAN HARVEST. The Pastoralists' Review reports on the Australian wheat harvest : In New South Wales it is generally estimated that the total wheat crop will amount to 14 or 15 million bushels, hut the crop is very patchy. Near Bathurst only l'/l bushels per acre arc being harvested where there was 12 and 15 last year. There are better reports front the south, 30 to 35 bushels being not uncommon and some going up to 40. If a total of 15 millions is obtained the state will come out of an adverse season very well. Victoria.—Taking it all through the weather has been very favourable for harvesting wheat, the bulk of which is now being garnered. Reports from most centres agree in stating that tinyield is heavier than was expected a couple of months ago, and it looks as if tha originally estimated total of 24,000,000 bushels will be well within the mark. This would constitute a record, giving an average for the whole State of 13 bushels to the acre and allow an exportable surplus of over 14 V. million bushels. A feature of this harvest is the large quantity of hay saved, many farmers now having two years' supply on hand.

Queensland.—The wheat harvest is proving an excellent one, in point of quality arid yield, several districts, including Warwick and Killarney, reporting forty bushels to the acre of firstclass grain. In the RoriJa district there are some fair yields, though, in general, ten bushels to- the acre is about the average. South Australia.—lt is still too early to say what has been the result of tlis grain harvest, but huge stacks of wheat at all the principal railway stations and shipping posts point to a magaificieat yield.