The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2515, 23 August 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 1888.

Equal and cxact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

As the season has again come round for the resumption of dairying operations, it will lie well for farmers to give nil their best energies and careful attention to the development of this important industry. The experience they have gained by part efforts should enable them to guage their capabilities for the future with some measure of accuracy, and they should see with tolerable distinctness how to prepare for the position the dairy manufactures of New Zealand will assuredly attain within mensurable time. Most

people are now more or lost familiar with the immense field for encouragement that exists in the Old Country, where there is such an enormous consumption of dairy produce. It is known that Great Britain is utterly unable to cope with the demand within her own borders, and that consequently, the foreigner supplies her capacious markets witli farm products of this class to the value of many millions sterling per annum. These facts and the causes of them have been explained by the press, from time to time. Tho colony has become thoroughly alive to the value of the dairy industry, and the vast influence it is destined to exercise on the progress and prosperity of the country, and every effort has been, and continues to be, directed towards promoting the growth of what will become a national staple. Colonial enterprise has already, after many trials and difficulties which were .successfully overcome, established New Zealand butter and cheese on the English markets, as well as in other foreign countries. Colonial dairy produce

is winning a high reputation for itself, and the way is now clear for exports being made to reach the British consumers. The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company first, and next Mr Henry Reynolds have contributed largely by their enterprise and perseverance in this part of the colony towards creating u valuable and important export trade in the products of the dairy. Though it must be confessed their transactions last season did not yield the satisfactory reward they merited, yet their loss in one way was counterpoised by knowledge and experience gained in another, the usual concomitants that follow those who embark in new ventures. But, as Mr Reynolds very confidently

observed at Pukekurathe other day, he intends to profit by the experience lie has gained. Giving the proposals he made to the milk suppliers every consideration in the interests of both sides, we conclude they are framed in a fair spirit. We must not lose sij.ht of the conditions which surround New Zealand producers and exporters who are compelled by geographical circumstances to annihilate distance and charges before they can reach the great emporiums of the world, these extraordinary drawbacks have to lie apportioned evenly, and reduced to a minimum. The price offered is two pence half-penny for every gallon of ten and a-lialf pounds of milk. As it takes three gallons of milk to produce sufficient cream to make one pound of butter, this price is equivalent to seven pence half-penny per pound of butter to the farmer, which is much more than, on the average through the season, he can obtain from local buyers, judging by the quotations last season of four pence and fiveporice per pound. Should farmers devote proper attention to the cows and their food in order to obtain the highest quality of njilk, it is possible to gain larger results, even equal to ninepence per pound, by an increased por centage of cream. An additional farthing will be paid for every additional two per cent, of cream yielded by each gallon of milk. It will thus be to the interest of dairy farmers, and a direct incentive to them, to keep only the finest milkers and to feed them well all the year round on themostnutritiveof food. During the winter months the price to be paid to the suppliers will be three pence per gallon, and it is within the reach of all to ensure a winter supply with vry. little trouble and cost. The value of ensilage for winter food is now an admitted fact in England and America, where the silo pits or stacks are an established feature in farm operations for the sustenance of stock. Waikato farmers have seen the excellent results of experiments with ensilage in this district, and can have no hesitation in adopting thein for winter purposes. By the steady application of individual industry and assiduous attention and mutual co-operation iu every way, there can be no reason why they should not build for themselves great benefits from the dairy. The prospects are eminently favourable.