H.—29.

15

with regard to mating and feeding, the herd will eventually become recognized among Shorthorn breeders. During the year a young bull from the well-known Claremont herd, and by a Te Aute sire, lias been mated with the Moumahaki cows; and although these have been collected at no great expense to the Department, it is anticipated that many good animals will later on be available lor distribution amongst graziers. Dairy herd: Some years ago many disparaging remarks were made by prominent Ayrshire breeders with regard to the Moumahaki herd. Since then the ideals and policy pursued in the breeding of Ayrshires have been vindicated by the present-day excellence of the herd. Sheep : The Ryeland sheep are maintaining their position amongst the stud flocks of the Dominion, and during the past season there has been a keen demand for rams, all available sheep having been disposed of to breeders who cater for the export trade. After selecting rams for home use two were forwarded to the Central Development Farm, and after this selection was made other rams were sold to separate breeders. Complimentary letters were received from the latter regarding the rams forwarded, and, coming as these did from established and successful breeders, they arc decidedly gratifying to tin , management. Pigs : From the inception of the Berkshire herd at Moumahaki breeding on fixed lines has been followed, with the result that a type entirely different from the prevailing standard has been evolved, and so quickly has this type become favoured that the demand for Moumahaki sires is far in excess of the supply. Numerous stud animals have been disposed of during the year to persons desirous of establishing herds. Crops.—Hay and grain wore harvested in good condition, and, although reaping was necessary before grain had matured, the yield has been, satisfactory. Mangolds and carrots have yielded well, but swedes are not heavy. Potatoes were a fair crop. A. further area has been devoted to lucerne. This plant has become recognized throughout the district as the most valuable of fodder plants, and the area devoted to it has been considerably extended, due largely to the Moumahaki example. Improvements. —Although necessary to keep expenditure within reasonable bounds, experimental work necessitated an outlay which under other circumstances could have been avoided. Approximately 60 chains of new post-and-wire fencing has been erected, and a considerable extent of open drains constructed. Visitors and Correspondence. —An increased number of visitors were registered at the farm as compared with the previous year. Attention to these, who are principally farmers, entails considerable time, but it is felt that time has been beneficially expended. Letters on various subjects are numerous, and many letters of thanks are received from persons who obtain information from the farm. Ashburton Experimental Farm. A favourable season was experienced for cropping operations on this farm, and a very extensive series of experiments and trials was conducted, including the following : Variety trial of cereals, peas, tares, linseed, and potatoes ; continuation of the experiments on the value of lime ; grassmixture trials ; green-manuring and other fertility experiments ; potato and rotation manuring experiments ; rape versus silver-beet as forage for sheep ; trials of nine forage crops for sheep ; experiments with lucerne ; root variety trials. Detailed results of some of these experiments are now ready for publication, and have already been communicated to the local farmers. Some of the yields of cereals secured were particularly good, especially considering the light— in many places gravelly—nature of the land. The following may be specially mentioned : — „., . Busheis t, , Bushels Wheat - porAcrc. Barlo y- per Acre. Red Marvel .. .. .. 48-6 Mays Saltcote .. .. .. 82-6 Sensation .. .. .. 45-15 Altamura . . .. .. 71-8 Huron .. .. .. 43-6 Russian Cape .. . . .. 64-4 Dreadnought . . . . . . 43-2 Cape . . . . . . .. 53-5 Marquis . . .. .. 39-0 Californian No. ,1 .. .. 52-0 The yields of oats were low, the average not exceeding 25 bushels. The only noteworthy fact was the position taken by Fulghum, a new oat multiplied at the Central Development Farm. This oat yielded 40-4 bushels—lo bushels over any other variety ; and its growth throughout denotes it as a very promising variety for green feed and chaffing purposes. Credit is due to the overseer, Mr. J. Mackay, and to the high-school instructor, Mr. Allen, for very painstaking and assiduous labours in carrying out and recording the experiments. Experimental Work in the Dtstrtcts. Auckland Supervisorate. Very little co-operative experimental work has been carried out throughout the whole district during the past year, owing to a reluctance on the part of farmers to undertake any work which is not absolutely essential to keep their farms going. None of the local bodies have taken any further action to establish experimental areas; this is owing to the unsettled state of labour conditions, due to enlistments and the war. Sand-drifi Control. -At Rangi Point, Whangarei, Mr. FT. Potts, a farmer, is experimenting with, yellow lupin and marram-grass to prevent the sand from, drifting. He has received advice from the Department, and the operations have so far proved successful. The Department's inspector has been operating to control the increase of sand at Orewa, and various grasses, &c, are now doing fairly well despite abnormally bad weather conditions. Two of the heaviest easterly cyclones ever experienced visited the locality during the ipast year, and the