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of calves by these sires have been reared. Thirty Shorthorn heifer and twenty-nine bull calves, all by Darbalara milking Shorthorn bulls from good cows, have been reared this year.' The demand for these bulls is very keen, and every one fit for service during the coming year is sold. With Jersey bulls the demand is not up to the usual standard. The flock of Southdown sheep shows a good return, and all rams available were disposed of at satisfactory prices. The herd of Berkshire pigs has been increased owing to the unsupplied demand for stud boars and sows in pig. In the Poultry Section all work has been carried out as usual, and with fair success, considering the,present unsettled condition of the country and the comparatively high price of feed. All the stock is in good condition, and laying well for this time of the year. In February last a thorough inspection was carried out, and undesirable classes of birds culled out. Black Minorcas put up the best average as layers, with White Leghorns, White Rocks, and Black Orpingtons next in order. Among the ducks the Indian Runners and Pekins showed splendid returns, but the Aylesburys gave poor returns. Owing to the hatching season being commenced a month earlier than the usual time, and white diarrhoea attacking several batches, the number of chickens does not quite equal those raised during the previous year. The quality and vigour were, however, up to the standard of former years. Among the improvements carried out on the farm were the building of a residence for the Poultry Overseer, living-rooms for the Apiarist, erection of piggeries, and alterations to sheepyards. These were all executed by the farm staff. Weraroa Experimental Farm. The operations at this farm during the year have been of a routine nature, the main effort, having been towards an increased production with a minimum of attention directed towards experimental work. A prolonged spell of very wet weather greatly impeded Hie preparation for crop during winter and spring. The land was most of the time in a sodden condition, with the result that feet troubles were more than usually prevalent amongst the sheep flocks. The cereal crops, which were seeded eventually under these trying conditions, made a rank forced growth of straw, which lodged badly and reduced the harvest very considerably. Oats yielded in consequence not more than 30 bushels per acre of inferior grain, with a tremendous amount of rubbishy straw. Wheat yielded about 30 bushels, of which a relatively small proportion was first-quality grade. During the late summer and autumn the weather-conditions changed to the opposite extreme, pastures dried up, and the root crop suffered, but recovered later on so far as to prove a satisfactory crop. The milking herd has done exceedingly well, the returns per head being considerably higher than the previous year, while the young stock have been brought forward to the end of the year in vigorous and thrifty condition. A considerable falling-off in the demand for Holstein bulls was experienced this year, while yearling Shorthorns were in demand at the annual sale. The average price yielded for Holstein yearling bulls was 26J guineas, and for Shorthorn yearling bulls 29 guineas. Some improvements have been effected during the year. Additional accommodation for six learners has been erected, and a milking plant and engine have been installed. required improvements, such as shearing-shed and yard and piggeries have not yet been undertaken. The water-supply has again given cause for anxiety. During the last three months of the year the supply obtainable from races and wells has been barely sufficient for the needs of stock, and has fallen far short of what is required for dairy and homestead purposes. The failure of the water-supply has been an annual occurrence, and it seems as if it would yet be necessary to obtain an extension of the Levin Borough water system to meet the needs of the farm. Mr. James Drysdale resigned his position as Manager at Weraroa in March, 1.91.6, in order to take up a more remunerative position as Manager of the Prison farms at Waikeria and of the adjoining mental-hospital farm at Tokaanui. Mr. Drysdale's management of the Weraroa Experimental Farm dates from August, 1905. At that time the greater portion of the farm was heavily covered with timber and stumps. Its development from that condition was a fit task for one of Mr. Drysdale's experience, energy, and resource. Throughout its formative years under Mr. Drysdale's care the farm has made worthy contributions to the science and art of dairy-farm management in the North Island. He has had the satisfaction of seeing it cleared and improved, and for the most part cultivated and brought into a condition which will permit, of advanced experimental work being undertaken. During his tenure of the managership he was mainly instrumental in the establishment of the excellent, Holstein and Shorthorn herds, which have progressed most satisfactorily under his care. The good wishes of the Department for his success in his new undertaking have certainly been well merited. An extensive scheme of fresh experimental work has now been designed for Weraroa, and has already been initiated. Moumahaki Experimental Farm. Climatic conditions throughout the j'ear could almost be termed ideal, and,' although most people, complained about the dry autumn, little cause for complaint arose at Moumahaki. The general health of the live-stock has been good, pastures have yielded a fair amount of herbage throughout, and consequently cattle have grown and fattened well. Heavy rains during

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