FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1916, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

3UOUMAHAKI FARM. This farm is probably looking its Tiost just now (says the Hawero Star). The pastures are showing a deep, rich green and luxuriant growth, and the stock is ill the pi,nk of eondition. There ia a neatness and orderliness about the whole piace which impresses the casual visitor, and which should inspire the farmer to emulate as far as possible. Generally speaking, the average dairy farmer lias not much time for any work outside the absolutely necessary routine, but still there is a great deal that could be done in Taranaki to make the homesteads, the farm and lam buildings and yards more orderly and attractive than many of them are at present. In this respect, Moantsluiti sets a good example. Their milking shed, too, is worthy of note, by reason.of the fact that it can be so easily kept clean and sweet and sanitary. The concrete flooring is quickly washed down after each milking, the large side- doors, as well as the tnd doors, arj thrown ojen, allowing plenty of fresh' air to pass through all (lav long, and the roof ventilation is an advantage on occasions when the shed has temporarily to 'be closed in during milking. There is nothing elaborate in its construction but it appears to be built on sensible lines. AX INTERESTING PASTURE. A paddock at Mcumahaki that is looking wonderfully well iust now will be worthy of close observation for a year or two. It was sown down in May of 1915, following a crop of oats and vetches, and the mixture used consisted of 201bs of Westernwolths, 201'bs of selected Moumahaki prairie, Gibs of red clover, and 31bs if alsike. Three cwt of basic slag to the acre was applied. At the present moment it is a luxuriant pasture, clovers and Westernwolths predominating. Should the prairie assert itself, as it is hoped it will, in the winter months, the paddock should have a great carrying capacity throughout the. year, and so far there is reason to believe that the special type of prairie which has been developed at Moumahaki will bo made good. A 17-acre paddock was sown down in September last with this special strain, and it was mown in the first week in December for ensilage, producing tons to the acie of green stuff. It was cut for seed in February and yielded 830 bushels of recleaned seed, and then was grazed throughout the winter. 11. made n. beautiful winter paddock, said the manager. The seed that was saved gave a germination test of 7:! per cent., and was sold at 10s per bushel. There was great demand for it, and hundreds more br.shuls could "have 'been sold had it teen available. If in an ordinary pasture it will stand hard grazing in the wirter, it should prove very valuable in Taranaki. AfOUMAHAKI LUCERNE. The fifteen-acre paddock at the farm is just now receiving a top-dressing of Scwt. of lime to the acre, t'he first it has received since it was sown down in 1013. The paddock was elosei!\i]p during the months - July and August, hut oi° September 5, when the growth was about ten inches high, 30 S'/a-yai-old bullocks and 28 yearling steers were tunned in and grazed on it till the beginning of October, and they did remarkably well on it. As a genera) rule, however', late winter grazing is not to be recommended in Taranaki. It is advisable, too, that the lucerne should get the earliest start and best chance for its , sprim; growth, so that the first two cuts ' at least can be made into ensilage or hay at a- season when other feed is plentiful. If this rule i; followed it will be found to be the most practical and economical in the long run.