OHAPI FARM.

Temuka Leader, 18 May 1880, Page 2

OHAPI FARM.

In these times of stagnation in the grain market, when wheat, oats, or barley are almost unsaleable, even at prices that entail a heavy loss., it gives us some pi asnre to be able to record instances of enterprise in a direction that will secure a certain measure of prosperity and realise payable returns to the enterprising individuals who seek them from other sources than graingrowing. Mr R. A. Barker, owner of the Ohapi Farm (formerly a part of the Barker Estate), has determined to utilise his fine property by growing root crops, for which it is so well adapted, and to establish a herd of pure-bred Devon cattle, of which he has now the neuclus. These neat little animals are next to the Polled Angus breed for a good quality of beef, and for being good milkers. The Devons are a class of cuttle broad and deep in frame, short legged, and of a beautiful deep red colour. In the pure breda, the eye and muzzle are interesting features, and at once bespeak animation and hardiness. To support this herd, Mr Barker lias a field of 200 acres, in which is a splendid crop of Swedish turnips, seldom equalled in either Canterbury or Otago, where this root attains enormous size. The roots or Ohapi Farm are both large and healthy.

Our object in visiting the farm was to have a look at the sheep dip newly erected. Our visit, hcvvever, revealed another feature that we will first describe. On a little island, surrounded by a beautiful creek,is in course of erection a suite of pig

styes on a much improved principle. The floor is of concrete, with sufficient decliviiy to load the liquid manure and water from the roof to channels provided to carry it away. Ea< h apartment is partition "d oft'to about G feet by 6 feetinside, and G feet by 8 feet outside, divided by timber divisions, with a door connecting one with the other in the outside, th° same with a slide door for outer entrance to each separately. Concrete troughs for each apirtment are prov’ded outside, which can b" shut off by a hanging door wh n required. Above the styes, room is reserved for storing straw for litter. Connected with the s’yes is a s'aughteringhouse with concrete floor, a concrete bath for scalding and a concrete table for cleaning the pigs when killed. Adjoining is a boiler for supplying the hot water and a pipe for coir ecting it with the bath or tub, and the work of scalding and scr j ing is but the work of a moment. A small yard is also so planned that the pigs can be driven into a race and killed as they pass along, and pitched into the bath, A larger yard is also provided for cattle that can he dealt with in the same way it required. The buildings are all covered with iro ; roofs. It is time that the old fallacy that pigs delighted to wallow iu the mire was exploded, like the Maoris’ pigs like to bask in the sun, and prefer a dry bed when they can get it ; warmth, also is a necessity for growth and fatten-

We predict that the rearing ami feeding of pigs will he one of the most profitable undertakings for a f inner to enter upon ; especially will this be the case when fresh meat exportation is in full swing : then nothing will pay better than exporting fat pigs. Now that grain cannot be grown at a profit, it would be well for farmers to turn their attention to this branch of their business The London Markets would absorb all that New Zealand could produce, and never he materially affected thereby. Of course the breed of pigs has to l»e considered as well as the breed of c ittle and sheep. Some breeds eat twice as much as others, but they never grow f-tt. If the frozen meat business is gone into in this colony, we feci sure that no meat wi'l receive a mors hearty welcome than pork.

Another feature in connection with the improvements on Ohapi Farm is the sheep dip. A perfect labyrinth of yards, races, plunge-baths, and drying yards have been erected : the whole is surrounded by a never-failing stream of water. Por sheepdipping nothing could be more complete Two boilers supply hot wMer ; the sheep are decoyed up to the top end ; once there the least pressure makes them turn the corner, when they slide clown a galvanised iron shoot into the concrete bath hel w, which is filled with hot water, softened by soap and other chemicals. In this bath the sheep are well cleansed ; they then pass through a cold water b-ith, and are driven to a drying yard, and then dried for shearing. Tne 3'ards are so constituted that two or three different sizes or breeds can be kept intact by moving a door, vhidi divides one yard from another An addition has been made to these yards, viz., a water race, which is covered over and fenced in on every side. At each end is a gate, and the floor is so balanced when the weight of the sheep is turned to one side, down they plunge into a deep bath, about 40 at once. Previous to this they are subjected to a bath in a solution, which is secured by Royal Letters Patent.

This solution is a black fluid that immediately changes the coloi of the water into a milky white. A long concrete trough half filled with water receives a gallon or two of this liquid, and is then made ready for the sheep. This preparation is considered valuable for killing tick or lice, and is, moreover, a great help to the growth and quality of the wool. So complete is this sheep-dip that many thousands a day can be dipped ready to be taken away again. To those within easy d stance this opportunity should be taken advantage of. To those further off the fluid can bo obtained from Messrs McLean and Stewart. Mr Baiker, however, deserves encouragement for the liberal outlay on these works ; the outlay has been considerable. Mr R. A. Watt, who has fitted up the works, deserves credit for his part of the business, both for the dip and the pigstye. We shall be glad to report upon any similar valuable improvement on other farms if owners wi 1 inform us of them.