FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 124, 3 September 1910, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY

PIG-RAISING IN DENMARK. An interesting article in the Agricultural Gazette (England) on pig-raising methods in Denmark shows that prior to 1887 most of the Danish pigs and pork exported went chiefly to Germany. Since then live pigs have been excluded from that country. The British mafket was then investigated, and, after learning what was required, co-operative curing was commenced. In 1888 the total number of pigs in the country was 771,000, and of these 23,000 were put through the first co-operative curing house. Now there are thirty-six co-operative, in addition to some twenty-four proprietary, factories, in which are slaughtered annually upwards of 1,500,000 pigs. Swinebreeding centres are owned and operated by individual farmers. In addition to ' these are societies formed here and there for the object of helping the cause of swine-breeding. Each society has about twenty-five members, each owning an average of about two breeding sows. By this agency individual farmers are relieved of the necessity of keeping stock boars. He much prefers to become a member of a pig-breeding society, as for a less premium than he would otherwise have to pay he obtains the services of a selected boar, and has the additional advantage of expert advice as to the most suitable mating. While Continental Europe was the outlet for pigs and pork, no attempt at improvement in the quality of the stock was considered necessary. The Danish pig was then a coarse, rough animal, carrying considerable fat when ready for market. Up to this time the English Middle White had been used for crossing purposes, but this was seen to be no longer suitable. A study of the industry in Britain opened the eyes of the Danes to the qualifications of the Large White, and since then the blood of this breed has Ibeen largely used. The native pig, the "Landrace," was a hardy i animal and an excellent mother, and has been retained and improved by every possible means. This and the Yorkshire soon became the only recognised breeds of swine in the country. By means of breeding centres, breeding societies, agricultural fairs and experimental feeding stations, a systematic effort is being made to develop the swine of Denmark to the greatest possible degree of excellence.

A Danish dairy paper offered a prize of a silver mug for the best red Danish cow in a three-years'' record,. An eleven-year-old cow won with an annual average of 15,4021bs of milk, testing 3.64 per cent, of fat, or an average of 6221bs of butter, which had an over-run of a trifle over 11 per cent. "The highest price ever offered for New Zealand-bred sheep," said the Meat Trades Journal, "was £BOO each for the best two rams which Mr. Ernest Short, of Parorangi, near Feilding, sent to the recent Argentine International Exhibition, the bidder being Mr. Akers, of Linton."

The fact that New Zealand is becoming one. of the great poultry-farming countries of the world is being commented on by English papers.' One North Island breeder has, it is reported, contracted to provide 20,€00 ducklings and 2000 fowls for shipment to England. Next year his contract is for a bigger parcel of poultry.

The prospects of a prosperous season for the dairying industry are well maintained (sayg. the Melbourne Age). Butter is coming forward from all parts of the State for export, and although the recognised export season does not begin until September, good shipments have already been sent away. The steadily increasing shipments show that the pasturage is so good that herds are rapidly being brought into good condition. Mr. J. Ellis, of Kakaramea, probably holds this year's record for early potatoes, says the Patea Press. ; A fine sample of this year's crop, grown by that gentleman, was sent to our office, and affords striking testimony to the mildness of the past winter. The Kaupo'konui, Cape Egmont, Lowgarth, Kaponga and Lupton dairy companies have decided to dispose of their output; through Messrs Lonsdale and Co., advance without recourse; Riverdale, Jolls, Manutahi and Kakaramea through Messrs Lovell and Christmas, on the same terms; and Warea, Midhirst, Mangorei and Stratford through, the National Dairy Association. The breeding of horses is one of the most prosperous of New Zealand's industries. During the last' three or four months about 3000 horses have travelled to Australia in the Union Company's boats. At the present time about 80 are sent away by every steamer, and the export is about 1000 a month. The largest numbers travel to Western Australia, South Australia coming next, and a good number are taken by Victoria. Useful medium-sized draughts or plough horses v are the kind despatched, for which there (is a good enquiry. .The demand is attrij buted to the large amount of new country toeing opened, and the progress of !• agricultural settlement. I Canadian dairymen appear to have beJcome a thorn in the side of the framers of the Payne Tariff of the United States. At this end of the world it was difficult I to understand why such heavy shipments | of Canadian cream to the United States across the border should be made. The exports of 'both butter and cheese from Canada fell off, in consequence, and New Zealand benefited in conseqeunee by the reduction of Canadian competition in the London market. The reason given by Weddels' for this wholesale exportation of Canadian cream to the States is a printer's error in the'Payne Tariff Act, which reduces the duty on cream entering the States from 5 cents (2y 8 d) per pound to 5 cents a gallon of 10 pounds. The Canadian dairymen at once saw the beauty of this arrangement and buttermakers in the States'" fell into line. The cream business has grown enormously in consequence. The reference to a proposed trial shipment of chilled beef from Auckland, which was made at the annual meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company last week, will be interesting to those who appreciate the importance of opening up such a trade between the Dominion and the Old Country, says the Auckland. Herald. Until recently the chilled beef business has been mainly in the hands of the Argentine people, but lately three shipments have been made from Brisbane by the Marathon, and these have proved satisfactory. Two trial shipments of chilled beef 'by the steamers Kaikoura and Tokomaru have been made from New Zealand in the past, but these did not prove altogether satisfactory, it having been found necessary to freeze the meat before, it reached Home. By means, however, of a new process, known as the Linley system, previous difficulties have been reduced to a minimum. This system has been adopted in connection with the Queensland shipments, and as Auckland is nearer to London than Brisbane it is thought that there should be no difficulty in successfully inaugurating the system in connection with itbfl exports of New Zealand beef. By means of this system beef can be carried at a temperature just above

freezing point, whereas the frozen beef is carried°at a temperature of about lodeg. Fahrenheit. The chilled meat, it is claimxisajj /[[uoiiDTud u ui auioji S9uob9ji 'pa -üßAp\! %-aaiS v suq snqj pira 'uorjjrtioo tage over the frozen article.