WAIKAIO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2929, 23 April 1891, Page 2

WAIKAIO FARMERS' CLUB.

Tiik above Club held its ordinary monthly meeting at Cambridge on Monday, at 7.30 p.m. Present : Messrs G. E. Clark (chairman). J. Fisher, R. Reynolds, J no. Hunt, G. J. Neal, J. Anderson, li. Allen, L. Kdson, H. R. Hyatt, T. W. Hieks, R. Caley. J. S. Bond, J. Forrest. W. Tucker, C Roberts. W. S. Souter, T. Wells, D. Caley, H. Clark, E. Hewitt, W. Chambers, -J. Arnold, and J. R. S. Richardson. Messrs Jas. Runciman and J no. Robertson were present by special invitation, and the Rev. Simmons was also a visitor. STOCK tXSPECTOKS. The Mangere Farmers' Club wrote, asking this Club to support their action iu protesting against the appointmeut by the Government of a General Stock Inspector, aud referring the Club to an article that had appeared in the Herald on the subject. The article referred to was read by the Secretary. The Chairmau asked for opinions on the subject. He confessed he could not see why a General Inspector was wanted, and the Mangare Club evidently thought it would be detrimental. Mr Forrest said it was unnecessary to appoint a man at £500 per annum to inspect the other inspectors. It looked as if the Government wanted to make a billet for some one, and it should be opposed, if only ou the score of retrenchment. Mr Ruuciuian thought the Sheep Inspectors had done good work, and should not be interfered with. The colony was now free from scab, but nevertheless the inspectors were still required, as there were some individuals who had lice in their flocks, and unless they were brought to book by the authorities they would not even take the trouble to dip their sheep. The Inspector for this district had a large tract of country under his charge, which made him a busy man, but he did his work well and without the "red tape" usual to Government officials. M r Hyatt said if the Sheep Inspectors were like the School Inspectors, they would be the better for having a chief over them. Mr J. Anderson moved, " That this Club strongly objects to the Government appointing a General Stock Inspector, the present staff having worked the Act satisfactorily, aud the couutry ia now free of scab." Seconded by Mr Runcimau, aud carried unanimously. The Bccrotary was instructed to torward copies of the resolution to the Miuister of Lauds aud the Mangere

Farmnrs' Club ; also, to thank the latter body for having drawn attention to the matter. Tin; i>a.iuy cow. The Chairman said they now came to the principal business of the eveuiug, viz., the discussion on Mr Reynold's paper, read at last meeting. The subject was one of the greatest importance to the fanners of Waikato, and as the paper had been published in extenso iu the columns of Tiik Waikato Times, they had all had an opportunity of thoroughly digesting it, and he trusted the members present —especially those who went in for dairying—had come fullv charged with useful infoimation, which they would impart freely for the good of all. As they had gentlemen present by special iuvitation, he would first call upon Mr James Runcimau to state his opinions re Mr Reynold's paper, as be (Mr Runciman) had had perhaps the greatest experience in dairying of any man in the district. He (the chairman) quite agreed with Mr Reynolds that the Jersey was the best animal for what he might term the "one man cow," but he had not made up his mind as to it being the most useful for geueral purposes throughout the district. Mr Runciman said he had read Mr Reynold's paper with much interest; but he must say he had a terrible dread of the Jersey being introduced into their herds, as he believed the strain would provo detrimental to the interests of farmers. As far as he knew, and from anything ho had read that was reliable, our country as a whole was not surpassed for the development of the bovine family, either for milk aud its productions or for beef. On our ordinary pastures, without artificial food, we could produce beasts from two and a-half to three years old that would give from 7001b to 8001b of beef, aud, as a proof of his assertions, it would be within the recollection of many that three head of cattle were lately sent from the district, which had beeu bred and reared in it, and their respective weights were 29341b, 2i) ( Jolb, aud 24221b, and the following would bear good comparison for the milking qualities of our cows as against a country where they have been working the dairying industry up by all possible mean 3 for the past half century. He would give the results of one dairy (his own) for the past three years, which would show that we are not so far behind, notwithstanding the fact that the industry—the factory system—was a comparatively new one in this couutry and had been instituted within the last decide. Our dairying season practically began with September and eijdetJ In period pf pight months. This was due owing to there being very little preparation made for supplying tbt cows with viuler food

consequently they go ilry during the shortness of grass in tlits winter. It muat be understood that the figures he wan about to quote only treated of the results of milking at the usual prices paid at factories in the district, and did not represent the full returns derived from the cows, for with calves, skim milk. Ac., he estimated eacli cow to give £2 in addition to the prices quoted, During the eight months of ISBB-9, 35 cows gavo 13,317 gallons, or an average ofltSOi g&llons per cow, This was equal to 151b 9oz per cow per day. and with 11J per cent of cream gave a return of £3 19s 7d for each animal. During a similar period in 1889-90, 31 cows gave 12,765 gals., an average of 372 A gals, per cow, equal to 151b 9Joz per cow per day. This contained 11 per cent of cream, and netted £4 per cow. During the present season iie could only give the returns for seven months, viz., from September of last year to March 31st of the present one. In that period 43 cows gave 16,691 gals, an average of gals, per cow. So far the return was"£3 19s per cow, but with the month still to be added the return would be greater than either of the proceeding outs. Mr Runciman then gave the return of 37 counties of the United States of America, as furnished by the States Dairy Commissioner, for the year IS9O. It was an average of 303 gals, per cow, and the Commissioner further stated it required 2o!b of milk to make lib of butter, and lOJlb of milk to give lib of cheese, when fit for the market. He (Mr Runciman) quoted this to show that his average was a long way ahead of the American. He quite agreed with Mr Reynold? that too much care could not be exercised in the selection and breeding of cows for our dairies, for there wan quite as much difference in their profit to the dairy, as there was between tho ill-bred and well-bred beast to the grazier. He was sure the introduction of Channel Islaud cattle into our herds would prove a grcvioUß and fatal mistake with a climate such as we enjoy and the capabilities of our country to carry far more heavier and superior cattle for all general purposes. He stated, we have shorthorn cattle amongst us that will give their six gallons of milk per day for three months, which would produce 151b to 161b of butter per week, or would give 600 gallons (luring eight months which would yield 3001b of butter, and if anything should go wrong with them aud render them unlit for dairy purposes, they could bo quickly tatted up to 6001b or 700lb. The introduction of Channel Island cattle into our herds would give a low class of nondescripts of all conceivable colours ; flat ribs, narrow hacks, hard hides, tawny muzzles, black noses and bad thrivers—mere parasites upon the farm, and no more to be compared with Shorthorns or Herefords than the Maori pig is to the Berkshire, or other best breeds of pigs. Mr Reynolds asked, "Which is the most profitable cow for the district?" and he (Mr Runciman) answered most emphatically the Shorthorn and the Hereford, and the more thoroughly the breeds were mixed in the cows, the better mothers and milkers they would be, as the one gave constitution to the other ; at the same time he advocated the use of the pure bred bulls, as by so doing you get both weight and quality ; a grand thrifty beast that would he hard to beat, with a tino mellow soft hide aud a good constitution, one that will come up to 7001 ha. or SOOlbs. in from two aud a-half to three years, if fairly treated on our ordinary pastures. As they were all aware, he had been a champion for the dairy all his life, aud for the last ten or twelve years in particular —for 35 years he had been emleavouriug to improve his strain of milking cows, and during that period he had only parted with one, and that was to his daughter—and he still stuck to dairying, notwithstanding how it had kicked and cuffed him, and he was sure the dairy would assist the country to pay its part. The dairy helped many a farmer through pecuniary difficulties that he would otherwise be unable to manage, and more particularly when it could be done without hired labour or on larger places by shares, so that a man may not havp all his eggs in one basket. He had always advocated mixed farming, and did so still— cattle and sheep, and as much crop at least as is required for consumption upon the farm, which is alsn> required to keep the dairy in good trim, Mr Runciman, before concluding, referred to a letter he had received from Mr P. C- Germanu on the subject, in which reference was made to tho yield of some of the American cows. It was as follows : " During the past season Mr John Arbogast, of Downie, delivered at the Black Creek Cheese Factory 50,1661b5. of milk, the produce of five cows aud two heifers, equal to 7,1661b5. per head ; and Mr Chas. Cann sent 32,2491b5, the produce of five cows. The return per cow was, in the former case, £10 ss, aud in the latter £9 7s 6d. The paper in which this article appeared does not state what breed of cows these were, but I have no doubt a lot of the breeding went down their throats. I intend to write by next 'Frisco mail and ask particulars of a friend. If the present system of testing milk at our creameries is to be coutinued, then I will join you in the opiuiou that the introduction of Channel Islaud cattle is a mistake, as we would not receive more for the rich milk these cattle give than our neighbours would obtain for milk yielding only 10 per cent of cream, while you are about it you might just introduce the subject of testing milk. You kuow when milk is carted from four to six miles aud stands in the sun for some time aud is almost sour, the cream does not rise before the milk is sour, aud we consequently do uot receive the extra percentage. I think a committee of the suppliers (two or throe) should receive samples of milk two or three mornings ill the week, and place the tubes in a cool place in water under lock aud key, aud examine thein the following morning. Each supplier should also have a tube and test one the same day for himself. At the present time there is much dissatisfaction about the matter. I have always considered for a cheese factory a large framed cow which yields quantity the best, and for a butter factory a cow giving rioli milk should be kept, provided we are paid for the quality. I cannot help expressing regret that our cheese factories are not used for making during the two hottest mouths of the season. We would not be so apt to have inferior butter, and I am sure the cheese made in that time would find ready sale. 1 ' In conclusion, Mr Runciman said he heartily agreed with the following clipping which he had taken from a newspaper : —"A man's farm is a volume, every acre of which is a pago bearing the marks of his character, indicating the degree of mental and moral culture to which he has attained." He then resumed his seat amid applause.

[As the discussion was a protracted one ami such as is likely to prove useful to farmers, we hold over our continuance of it till next issue in order to give it duu prominence.]