FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1920, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

At Herekino (North Auckland) the paspalum harvest is better than anticipated, At the present price it gives a return of £2O per aero. Tho result is attained by removing stock for a period of three months. In this way pasture is conserved for winter use as well.

Probably the general public overlooks the fact that the extension of agricultural production in New Zealand depends not only on increasing the number of farms but on increasing; the quality of farming. Without minimising the importance of Kinds still to be broken in, it is safe to say that a more intensive use of those broken in has even greater productive possibilities; and to demonstrate this by precept and prac- | tice is part of the Department's mis. . sion. Without skilled farming there can be no advance, but there can easily be retrogression, for even pastures,; if not looked after, can go back with astonishing rapidity, as owners of bush lands well know. The article tinder review points out: "It is estimated that each year 100,000 acres of grass-grown lands revert to scrub, fern, and useless vegetation in New Zealand, mainly because owners are unable to establish a good sole of grass to compete against; .the undesirable successions which come in, and this serious loss can only be avoided by the selection of the right varieties of grass. The scientist sets himself to discover tho correct varieties for use under the divergent conditions to be found over New Zealand." The Department of Agriculture has numberless successes to its credit. There is one big failure, noxious weeds. But that is a politician's failure rather than an expert's. Mr. W. M. Singleton, Assistant Director of the Dairy Division, writing in the February issue of the Journal of Agriculture, says: A review of statistics shows that of late years in our principal j dairying districts the dual-purpose cow has been givinE way to the special-pur-pose dairy breeds. From 1!)0S to 1918 the number of purebred Shorthorn bulls in Taranaki decreased 90 per cent., whereas the number of purebred Jersey, Friesian, and Ayrshire bulls increased fiO per cent. Taking the different land districts, the enumeration of 1918-19 shows that, for every Shorthorn female two years of age and over, the corresponding figures for Jerseys, Friesians, and Ayrshires were: Auckland, 33; Otago and Southland, 31; Wellington, 64; and Taranaki, 134- When we consider that the Shorthorns are practically the foundation of our average dairy herds the trend of breeding of dairy stock in the various districts is apparent. The 1919-20 figures will doubtless? present the position in a light, more favorable to the special-purpose dairy breeds, as it is well known tnat the Auckland province has lately imported large numbers of grade Jerseys from Taranaki. This tendency of the cattle industry towards special-purpose dairy breeds is an indication of the healthy condition of the dairy industry. Dairy farmers are in ever-increasing numbers realising that on'y efficient dairy cows are compatible with hinh-pricod land.' The increase in land values and smaller holdings is exerting a considerable influence in popularising those speclatpurpose breeds that will produce dairy products at the lowest cost. Pig men take too little heed of the breeding value of a. good sow. How, many keep records? If they did they would get the same sort of surprises that, are afforded to dairy men by the statistics of the Herd-testing Association. The record of a, New South Wales sow are in point in this connection. Following are her performances:—June, lfllii, littered seven, sold for £-29 '10s; December, 1015. littered 11, sold for £44; June, 1918, 12, £52 15s; December, same year, 19, £54; July, 1917, 13, £4B; December, same year, 17, £3B 15s; July!, 1919, 'ls, £SO; December, same year, 12, unsold at time of reckoning. In addition' she won £G in show ring prizes. Thus her cash earnings were £323, besides the unsold litter. Just as the object of the dairymen is to breed according to performances, so should the pig breeder.