FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 386, 11 May 1910, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

FRENCH DAIRY CATTLE. I The dairy cattle of France appear to be a, rather curious blend, according to the opinion expressed by Professor Henry E. Alyord, of the United States Department of Agriculture. He says that France is a dairy country, and possesses a large number of so-called breeds of cattle which can hardly be said to be different or distinct breeds, because they seem to be largely of common origin, locally differentiated, ana belonging to geological districts, along the borders of which they blend in a perplexing way. Nearly all of them are what would be called "dual purpose" cattle. France prides herself upon producing all her own beef, and depends largely upon oxen for farm labor. With few exceptions, her cattle are bred prim-' arily for labor, to ultimately become (poor) beef, and the dairy quality is at least a secondary consideration, only incidental in some breeds. Fine veal is a speciality in France, so that cattle which produce large, thrifty, quick-growing and easy-fattening calves are particularly sought after, and are highly profitable. There are but three races of French cattle which seem to deserve consideration as dairy stock. Near the Belgium border, in French Flanders, there is a large and rather rangey cow of a pronounced dairy type, and a generous and profitable producer of a medium quality of milk. These "Flamandes" are of a solid dark-brown color, sometimes reddish, and often almost black. They carry no spare flesh, have shiny coats indicative of health, are good feeders, active and docile. In size they are above the average, and in some respects suggest the milking Shorthorns. It is said that, although rugged enough at home, they become delicate, and always deteriorate rapidly when moved away from the comparatively small district in which they had their origin and development. This accounts for the Flamandes being so little known elsewhere. In Brittany are found the pretty, active, little black and white cattle, of marked dairy quantity of milk for their size, rich in butter-fat. This is a_true breed, and a good one of its kind, as well as an old one.

Complaints are pretty prevalent about so many empty cows (says the Hawera Star). The percentage in some herds is up to 20 to 25 per cent., which means a big loss to many suppliers. .. As to whether the drainage of the Hauraki 'Plains will pay as a national work, I think there can be no question (says the special correspondent of the Auckland Herald). I am sure, in my own mind, that for less than a hundredth part of the capital expended on the goldfields between Coromandel and Paeroa, man will eventually derive more wealth from farming the hitherto waste lands of the plains than has been won from the mines.

A plot of lucerne, sown at the Moumahaki .Experimental Farm in 1908, has been cut six times, and is now nearly a foot in height. It has bad no manure since it was sown. In one of the small experimental plots where lucerne is growing the roots were followed down to a depth of 14 feet. '•'This is the leed j for this country if you can get it established," remarked the manager. From 101b to 201b of seed per acre is sown. Ploughing by motor is now largely practised in the wheat-growing districts in North-Western Canada, 'and, ill general, petrol seems to be superseding steam in the many mechanical operations, which the great extent cultivated by the individual farmer drives him to i employ, instead of horse work. It is j stated that a 4-ton 24-horse-power motor will break up from 12 to 20 acres per day, and with a harvester, will cut ! and bind more than twice that area «r harrow still more, while as a traction engine, it will haul ten tons at a speed of four miles per hour. Calculations show that in Canada to plough, disc, harrow and seed one acre by a two-horse team costs about 25s and takes two days, 'while a motor of the size mentioned does the same work, including all labor, depreciation, etc., for about 10s. The motor is also used for all kinds of farming: operations when not hauling in the field.