FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1918, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

PEDIGREE JERSEY SALE. MR." A. WATKINS' HERD TO BE SOLD. As will be noticed on reference to our advertising columns, Sir. A. W. Watkins, one of the i.Uiest and aptest of our Jersey breeders, lias decided to relinquish breeding. It 13 with very jsreat regret that Mr. Watkins has come to this decision, but tlie Increasing yi/.e of his herd and the increasing shortage of labor have rendered this course a necessity. The catalogue which is now being prepared contains particulars of 113 head of pedigree cattle, and amongst these are some particularly choice and highly bred Jerseys. This owner some years ago imported from America that great sire Yankee Sweat, and the herd has been mostly bred from his offspring. A few years later Mr. Watkins introduced the Campanile Sultan blood, and this step he has never regretted, as ho has had the descendants in full milk, the results being eminently satisfactory. It is interesting in this connection to note that when leaving Waitoitol for Hnwera Mr. Watkins sold two pedigree yearling heifers at the Urenui saleyards. One was purchased by Mr. A. Sheard, who stated that this is now one of the top-notehers of his herd. The other heifer, Sultan's Lass, which was secured by Mr. R. L. Spence, of Cnrrington Road, New Plymouth, was put under semi-official test by her new owner, with the result that as a 4-year-old she took the New Zealand Jersey Association's gold medal with a record of 580.41hs fat for 3G5 days' milking. These two heifers are the only female stock which Mr. Watkins has sold in recent years. Mr. Watkins has been, owing to the size of his herd, unable to systematically test and show his cows, but the best test obtainable was his rctutn for the month of November, 1917, of £5 per head for 30 cows that are milked under his supervision at the Hawera farm. The catalogue consists of 113 head, made lip by 73 cows, 25 springing heifers and 13 bulls. The auctioneers are Mr. Newton King and the Farmers' Co-op. Organisation Society, in conjunction, The sale will be held on Saturday, July 13. .

STRATFORD MODEL DAIRY FARM. The monthly committee meeting of the Stratford Model Dairy Farm was held on Saturday, the Ist Instant, at 11 a.m., there being present: Messrs. J. W. Deem (chair), It. Dingle, S. Pitt, W. H. Were, and J. B. Richards. It was resolved that application be made to the Minister of Agriculture for a grant of £2OO to bo expended on capital Improvements, in the nature of implement shed, calf pens, and pig styes. In the matter of implement shed, it was resolved that tho estimate from Mr. Boon bo held over pending a reply from the Minister of Agriculture re an advance for capital improvements. The general and cropping report was received, and Is as follows: Root crops have been weighod and a full report will be submitted to next meeting. In tills connection, the hearty thanks of the society were accorded to members of the Toko Settlers' Association for valuable assistance. Messrs F. S. Pope (Secretary for Agriculture) and J. Brown (Director of Fields Division) visited the farm on May 24. The matter of removing certain trees which are obstructing the sunshine from the dwelling has been left in the hands of Messrs. Pitt and Richards, with power to act. The stock committee reported that ten two-year-old heifers had been bought and that seven culled cows had been sold. The report was received. Mr. E. B. Roberton, farmer, Tahora, was elected a member of the society. Accounts amounting to £l7 7s Id were passed for payment. The question and matter of exhibiting at the winter shows to be held in the Taranaki district was left in the hands of the chairman and Mr. Richards, with power to act. The matter of planting a specific length of hedge was discussed, and it was resolved that the farm committee be authorised to plant up to one mile of barberry hedge. The committee also discussed the question of formation of a plantation of pines, and it was resolved that a plantation of pine tress along the creek and south of turnip field be authorised. The question touching certain accommodation at the dwelling was left in the hands of Mr. Richards and Mr. Boon, to supply an estimate.

GENERAL. At the Walwakalho yards, on Friday next, Mr. Newton King will sell, on account of Mr. ; George Mitchell, 10 pedigree Jersey cows, particulars of which, in catalogue form, are obtainable at any of the auctioneer's offices. There are also to he offered on the same day 17 grade Jersey cows and 12 Shorthorn cows. At Mr. Mouldey's sale at Pungarehu, on Monday, 17th Inst., there will be offered that fine pedigree Jersey bull, Belvedere Bilberry's L<ist, by K.C.B. It will possibly be remembered that this bull, When shown at New Plymouth, took reserve championship, a very honorable position considering that the winner that season was Mr. R. J. Lirin's old champion. At Pungarehu, on Wednesday next, Sir. James Rutherford's clearing sale will be conducted by Mr Newton King. The auctioneer invites South Taranakl buyers to pay special attention to this sale, aa the vendor has been a careful dairyman for the last twenty years, and ho has now for salo a very nice line of young grade Jersey cows. Buyers from the Plains would also have an opportunity that day to Inspect the grade and pedigree cows to be sold on the Monday following, on account of Mr. A. Mouldey. It should be a great opportunity for any Jersey lovers to select some nice Jerseys at these two sales. Particulars are given In our auction columns. At Stony River yards, on Tuesday next, Mr. Newton King is selling some very choice rising three-year-old Shorthorn heifers in calf. These should attract considerable attention. Our readers up the coast are reminded that at Mr. Newton King's Urenui sale on Monday next a small but choice little herd of dairy cows will ue sold on account of Mr. C. N. Rowe, who Is shortly leaving for the front. The tests of the three larges suppliers at the White Cliffs Dairy Factory are as follows: Herd 85 cows, average test for season up to May 31, 4.762; herd of 76 cows, 4.59, herd of 47 cows, 4.59.