FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 118, 5 October 1912, Page 6

FARM AND DAIRY.

SCARCITY OF FARM LABOR. Some interesting comment is made in this year's Labor Report, by the Secretary for Labor, Mr. J. Lomas, respecting the methods adopted by farmers in employing labor, and conveying the suggestion that the inability of agriculturalists to obtain sufficient labor lies to a large extent at the door of\ the farmers themselves. Mr. Lomas says:—"l would like t<r emphasise the, fact that farmers, espe cially dairy farmers, are in the habit of engaging their labor through the Department's agents in the early spring, and after providing work from September to April, inclusive, many discharge the men during the winter. A fairly large number of such instances .have come under my notice, while in other cases hands are kept on at reduced wages. Whilst this is a legitimate action on the part of the farmers, it. has the tendency to break the men's liking for the work, besides greatly increasing the Department's problem of finding work for such men during the winter months. Almost invariably the men find their way to the towns, and if they are successful in finding work they will not return to the country districts when the busy season starts. Some reliable evidence has also been given to the Department that in a number of instances i for wages of from £1 as to £1 10s per week men in the dairying districts are expected to commence work at 4 a.m. and not to finish till 8 p.m.; and when the season slackens and the' daylight hours draw in they have to face dis* charge or reduced earnings. Such be-) ing the case, I must infer that these' methods are responsible to some 'extent' for the shortage of farm labor experienced, as conditions such as these will not be accepted by men when they can secure better working conditions elsewhere. During the coming season the question as to the probable duration •f employment will fte' asked of farmers by the Department, and' preference will be given to those employers who guarantee workers some reasonable period ef employment."

NEWS AND NOTES.

The creamery is pre-eminently theij place where the cream should be made 1 into butter. It will not be long before the public will demand inspection of all milk and milk products. It ia the dairyman who gorges his cows who is the profit-maker for the veterinary surgeons. The average yield of the best herd of Danish cows is given at 3301b of butter per annum. Milk the cow till the last possible drop is out of the udder. You will keep her well that way. , An unthrifty calf makes into a.stunted heifer and is never likely to develop into a satisfactory oow. A pint of milk equals in fbod value four eggs and is always available a$ a food for infants and invalids. No cattle or dairy farmer can afford] to meddle with the confusing theory of the "dual purpose" animal. If the dairyman does not correct thp faults in his 'business the public will do the correcting for him. Dairying is fast becoming, if it has not already become, the largest and most important part of Bluish farming. If the calf seems in need .of .a tonic try a mixture of a tablespoonful of codliver oil with warm milk twice a day. 'Even under the best conditions as to food, the cow still draws largely on her system for the fats in the milk-can^ Do not cut down the 'ration of the cow which has gone dry. Keep her in good fettle for the next season' in the yard. • • As a rule the stallion which stares over the head of the crowd in ring is more of a success at the stud tha* the one which never lifts its head higher than, the fence rail. " '

Persons in a position to speak -with authority say there is more than a chance of the opening up of a good trade . .with i Japan when the difficulty of freight charges is overcome. The shortage of mutton in'the United States is engaging the attention of the press of the country. So, far from having any for export, there is barely sufficient for home consumption. The boy who realises that the farm is one of the best businesses in which lie can have an interest is the boy who will be 011 the spot when the State has to rely on men to do her good service. While pigs will eat Siwilli and sour I [ swill at that, it is not good feed for them. Even the hog likes some -flavor in bis diet, and will do better and put flesh on faster 011 a clean and wholesome menu. » It docs not matter whose may be the direct apparent loss when, wheat is delayed in transport and the market lost, the fact is the grower has to make the difference good in some way or another. When sowing spring wheat the English fanner coats the seeds with tar to prevent their being eaten by rooks. So that they will run through the drill, after the tar coat, the seeds are dusted with lime.