FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 93, 28 July 1910, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY.

STATE DAIRY HERDS. THE SCHEME IN EMBRYO. An agricultural matter which is causing some comment, and creating a great deal of interest at present is the Government's idea of improving the dairy herds of the Dominion. Some people here objected to officers of the Department of Agriculture competing against private farmers in the bidding for animals .at sales of pedigree stock. Others have protested that State dairy herd's should not be established if their milk. yielN are to be sold on competition with ■the trade of the ordinary vendors of milk. But the greatest controversy Is to come, and it will be waged around the actual scheme by which the farmers'are to receive the benefit of these Stateestablishol herds. The announced anil partly effected proposition is merely the idea; the practical working of the scheme is not yet known. "As a matter of fact.-' said the Minister for Agriculture on Monday, when conversing with a Dominion representative, ''the actual scheme has not been formulated yet. The whole thing is only in embryo really.' The working scheme, he said, neqd not be decided upon immediately, as it will not be put into operation until after the birth of.progeny ot, the herds. Mr. Mackenzie thinks that it is more than probable that there will he opposition to the scheme when it is announced, but hopes to overcome whatever real difficulties there are. The Minister spoke in terms of great satisfaction of the Holstetin bull, Sir de Kol Inka Diltertje, which was purchased by the State from Mr. Newton King, of New Plymouth, about twelve months ago, and located at the Weraroa State Farm. He also remarked that the cows purchased about the same time from Mr. J. Griigg, of Lougbeaeh, are testing remarkably well. It would appear to be not improbable, from what the Minister said, that the progeny of the imported cattle will he offered to the farmers at prices lower than a private stud owner would require. The Minister stated in the House last week, "The Government is arranging to bring out from the Old World fresh Jersey and Holstein strains of reliable milking quality." He was questioned on Monday morningi respecting the Jerseys, and sadd that the reference was to a matter which had not been mentioned before, but so far nothing definite had been done. Judging by what he said subsequently, it is improbable that anything definite will 'be done at once, though a protracted delay is unlikely.