The Farm. CHATS WITH THE FARMERS

' A Visit to Mrs Kempshell's Farm, Wbston Lodob, Matogatfa. ' 'Mr Richard Arnold Kempshell. a native of Canada, was one of the pioneers who left ' 'the Dominion in 1849 for Califoraia. He had .. been brought, up to the business of coach- " building, and was a first-class workman, with a talent to excel in anything that he took in hand. He met with varied success ' iix California, and when gold waa discovered in Australia, he took his departure for that colony The line of business which he selected was that of teamster, and it was congenial, as he had a natural fondness for 'animals. After ten years of haxd work in "'"Victoria, he married a young lady from ' Scotland and determined upon settling down upon a farm in New Zealand. In 1860 he , arrived ia Dunedin, where he remained • about a month, when he purchased 175 acres • of land on the West Taieri, about five miles from Outram, and wa3 the last applicant ■?for land at 10s per acre. Having erected a • .'house and fenced in a portion of the land, he " determined upon stocking it with the best animals to be abtained. Mr Lee, of WoodBide, was one of the few who at that time imported Bhorthorns, and kept a herd of fineshorthorn cows. Although good colonial cows could have been had at £8 to £10 pet "head, still Mr Kempshell offered Mr Lee '£18 per head for the pick of his herd, and at 'that price 'he purchased six or eight. He tien purchased the be3t colonial bred shortornbull to be .had, and not content with "mere breeding for pedigree, he studied the problem, , and determined upon *<nving attention -to, the personal properties of the/animals. '.which he had to deal with. He came %o- Jha conclusion r that the best cow; for this country was one in whioh were com-; feined the qualities to suit the dairyman, the ecazier, or the butcher, and with this object | in view, he worked upon the principle of selection. It so happened that while the shorthorns which he obtained fr^m Mr Lee were good producers of beef, they were also good milkers. He went on breeding with hi* bull, weeding out all poor thrivers and bad milkers, until he got the famous pure short horn bull Van Tromp, for which, when a vearlirjf?, he .paid £50. Van Tromp was bred by Mr William Field, of Eafield, Tasmania. His" sire^was Sir H. Havelock, 18843. He' left many fine females behind him, noted for producing milk as well as beef, which formed the foundation of Mrs Kempshell'a present herd. Bight cows of his stock were sold to a Maungatuaf armer, who had proved theirmilkin* qualities, at high prices, at a time when' cattle were very low. Mr Kempshell next bought the pure shorthorn cow, Sally Dundas She was got by Dundas, 20, dam Sail Farmer, by Farmer, 26 ; grand-dam Sally by, Mollison's bull 53; great grand-dam old Snow Drop, by Captain M 'Kenzie's English bull The full pedigree will be found in the New Zealand Herd Book, page 104. This' cow was a great acquisition to the herd, and not being related to them, her first bull calf was used wi<;h great advantage among the females of Van Tromp the first. The second Van Tromp was kept among the stock for gome time, when Mr Kempshell, in 1873, purchased from Mr G. Bell, of Waimea, the bow celebrated bull Premier, when one year and three months old, for £150. He is a rich roan, which is a favourite colour, no less remarkable for his weight and beauty than for amiability of disposition— this latter quality being one of the points dwelt upon by Mrs Kempshell, as being of value ; for experience has proved that fall-blooded anim3l3 transmit to their progeny mental dualities as well as bodily excellencies. Gentleness is an important point in a dairy cow, and quick fattening depends much upon amiability of temper. Premier has many good points— such as full lively eyes, small head, horns and Deck, wide chest, straight broad back, ribs rounded, deep flank, fine extremities, loose mellow skin, and fine soft hair. He is descended from the grand Colao herd, of Victoria. The following is his pedigree : — Premier got by Prince Frederick (50) N.Z H 8., Vol. 4 'Dam April Flower 3.d, got by E yal Butter-

He proved of immense value in three distinct strains of shorthorn blood, viz., the Sally Dundaa, the Jessamine, and the Silver Floss. Rose, of the Jessamine tribe, was purchased from Mr Bell, of Waimea. She was got by Prince Frederick, dam Red Jessamine, by Royal Butterfly 27th, (26th) g d. Jeaaamine 20fch, hy Royal Butterfly the 6th. Silver Floss wag bought at Mr Nimmo's sale. She was got by Grand Master, dam Norma 6 th, by Young Clyde, by Lord Clyde, imported by Mr P. Nimino The above are three of Mr? Ketnpshell's best cows. There are others well worthy of special notice, but we will only refer to one, namely, Sally Athelstane, got by Master Athelatane, 51, (14933) C. H. 8., dam Sally Dundas. She is a real beauty, and stands very high as a meat producer, milker and or mother. So much for the good work done for the country by Mr Kempshell, who died a little over a, year ago, leaving his wife with a son and five daughters. Fortunately, the son, 'who is 'a 'steady intelligent lad of 18, takes •a lively interest in the farm ; and more foritunate stiii is it for the future of the Weston Lodge herd, that in all bis plans and purchases, Mr Ketnpshell confided in and con- . plfced wtyh 1»b sp ife, The dairy was in her

charge, and at one time she milked sixteen cowa. She had the handling of the calves, and became not only expert in their management and in the manufacture of butter, but learned quite as well as her husband how to appreciate a good point gained in b/eedmg. Mr Kempshell was to some extent a book farmer. Many of his leisure hours were devoted to study, and from books and agricultural papers he learned a good deal about the practice of experienced farmers. The theoretical knowledge gained of an evening, was applied to practice during the day, and thus Mr Kempshell became acquainted with the labours of the farm and the improved principles of breeding. Much of this information he took a pleasure in communicating to Mra Kempshell, who, we Bhould say, was an apt scholar, for she seems to be as well acquainted with stock, and the various operations of the farm, as many old and experienced farmers with whom we have conversed. She accompanied us through the paddocks to inspect the stock, and pointed out their characteristics with all the precision of an experienced farmer. The cowa were as docile as lambs, and even the great bull, Premier, allowed us to walk up aud f eol his beautiful coat. The farm now comprises 315 acres, 140 of which are held under lease. The freehold land is all arable, and three-quarters of it flat land, the soil being a rich black mould, and the subsoil a free clay. Most of the leased land is hilly, affording excellent pasturage and good shelter for stock. The freehold land is divided into seven paddocks, the fences being of whitethorn and whin. There are 35 acres in wheat, 35 in oats, 9 in Swedes, 2 in potatoes, 1 in barley, and most of the remainder is in English grass. The live stock consists of 18 breeding cows (besides calves and young cattle), 5 brood mares, 200 sheep, 2 breeding bows, and 30 pure white Dorking, besides other fowls. , In regard to the farm and the stock, Mrs Kempshell says that it is her intention to adhere strictly to the plans laid down by her husband. What he contemplated doing, she purposes carrying out herself. The system pursued is to take two white crops, then a green crop, followed by a white crop and a four- years' rest in pasture; i.e., four years in grain and green crops and four years in grass. In the best seaßons the average yield of wheat has been 55 bushels to the acre, and of oats 60 bushels. The crops this year are equal to those of any former season. Mrs Kempshell speaks strongly in favour of deep and early ploughing. A good quantity of farm yard manure ia made annually and applied to the land. The following is the mixture of grasses sown : fbushel perennial rye grass, 31b cow grass, 21b red clover, lib white clover, and 21b cocksfoot, per acre. Upon our referring to Lhe advisability of sowing grain simultaneously with the clovers and grasses, Mra Kempshell said "You must see for yourself ; " and we accompanied her to the field, where we found a splendid crop of oatß in full ear, five feet high, and a most luxuriant growth of clovers and grasses. " All depends," ahe said, " upon the land itself and the manner in which it is prepared for laying down." The crop was not only good but clean, and there appeared to be little danger of its lodging and so injuring the grasses. One, she said, strengthened the other, and the ground was strong enough for both. The oats grown are the Canadian, a good plump milling variety. Harvest will commence towards the end of tho month, and the reaper employed will be one of T. Robinson and Co's, (of Melbourne and Dunedin), which has been ia use upon the farm for ten yeara, without requiring any repairs Mrs Kempshell rears 16 to 18 calves every year, all of which are hand fed, and allowed to have a great portion of the mother's milk, the remainder of which is converted into butter. They are excellent milkers. One year, when a careful account of the butter from 16 aged cowa and young heifers was kept, the average was found to have been 121b of butter per cow a week. Calves are sold at four months and upwards. The other day a one year old second prize heifer, having two strains of short horn blood by the sire's side, was sold to Mr Paddy, of Waikouaiti, for £20. Eighteen months ago, a pure Bhorthorn bull, 9 months old, from the Silver Floss tribe, waa sold from Weston Lodge, to Mr John Shennan, of Lake Waipori, for £105. The cattle are housed at night m winter and on very bad days, and fed on Swedes and straw. The byre is a large building of stona, with an iron roof, erected at an expanse of £200. It accommodates 36 head ot cattle, and is well paved and furnished with stalls and leather straps attached to chains which slide up and down upon an iron bar. The horse stock on the farm includes a pure blood mare, Kutzogero, two draught and two hack mares. Cattle are Mrs Kempshell's speciality, but she has turned out some fine young horses at good prices. As soon as Mr Kempshell could procure a good Clydesdale mare to please him, he commenced breeding from the best horse in the country, which was Mr John Nimmo's imported horse Napoleon, and then with Emperor. A two-year old colfc was sold to Mr Roberts for £150 ; a two-year old to Mr Shennan, of Waipori, for £100 ; a filly two year old, and another to gentlemen at Oamaru, for £75 each, and others. Mr Kempshell bought a mare from Mr D. Grant, of Maungatua, for £90, bred by Mr Mosely, of Inch-chutha, from which there are three fine fillies. The thoroughbred re are is frou> Mr Henry Driver's famous mare Evangeline. The sheep are merinos, with Romney Marsh rams. This cross gives great weight; of wool as well as carcass, and makes a hardy sheep. Mrs Kempshell thinks a good deal of her pure white Dorking fowls, and they certainly are very beautiful birds. They are said to be the best for farmers, having good size, good laying and flesh-forming qualities, hardihood, and requiring but little attention. They lay eggs all the year round, are good mothers, have a round plump form, and the quality of the meat is whiter, more tender, and of better flavour than that of many other fowls. Eggs for setting tell at 18s per dozen. Mrs Kempshell has a mixed flock, but the Dorking breed is kept pure. They have boiled wheat, in the morning and during the day, and bard wheat in the evening before roosting time. An orchard of half an aore contains fruit of all kinds, and 3001bs. of jam are consumed on the farm every year. Three years ago the apple trees were affected by blight,

Bluestone water was applied to the roots, and there has been no appearance of it since. Two pounds of bluestoue were dissolved in 70 gallons of water. This farm is quite out of the way of floods, and is well watered with crystal Btreams, which trickle down from the Maungatua Mountain. One of these streams is diverted from its course and conducted in pipes to a convenient spot near the dwelling, and being so pure, is most valuable for watering the stock and for household purposes. The following is a list, from Mrs Kempshell's books, of some of the Weston Lodge stock disposed of :— Van Tromp Ist, to Mr Morrison, Dipton Station, Southland ; 2nd, to Mr M'Lean, Tokomairiro ; 3rd. to Mr Puddy, Waikouaifci ; 4th, to Mr Shennan, Waipori ; sth, to Mr M'Laughlin, Maungatua; 6tb, to Mr Kirkland, Elmgrove, East Taieri; 7th, to Mr Fleming, Maungatua; Richmond, to Mr Fleming, Maungatua ; Master Butterfly, to Mr D. Borrie, Balmoral, OutramjSt. Andrew, to Mr Shennan, Waipori. The above are pure bred, and brought high prices. The following are some of the well-bred (but not pure) bulls sold : — Sir George Grey, to Mr J. Shand, West Taieri ; Earl, to Mr Harvey ; Roderick Random, to Mr Thompson, Taieri ; Sam, to A. Sutherland ; Lothian, to Mr Smiley, North Taieri ; White Prince, to Mr Gray, Kaitangata; , to Mr W. Thompson, Maungatua, Taieri ; Governor George, to Mrs Nitnmo, East Taieri ; Prinoe Victor, to Mr M'Laughlin, Maungata. The following is a list of some of the prizes taken by Mrs Kempshell's stock, from which a good idea may be formed of its value. It should be remarked that no stock was exhibited in 1876 and 77, owing to deaths in the family :— Van Tromp Ist.— Dec, 1866, second prize* Taieri Show, year old. Dec, 1867, first prize, Tokomairirio, two years. Dec. , 1867, Tokomairirio, all ages. Dec, 1867, Taieri, All ages. (Sola.) Van Tromp 2nd.— Dec, 1868, first prize, Tokomairiro, year old j second prize, Taieri, year old. Dec, 1869, second prize, Dunedin, two year old ; first prize, Tokomairiro, two year old ; third prize, Tokomairiro, all ages ; third prize, Taieri, all ages. Dec, 1870, third prize, Taieri, all ages. Dec, 1871, first prize, Tokomairiro, silver cup, presented by Mr G. Young, Dunedin ; third prize, Taieri. 1872, first prize, Taieri. 1873, third prize, Dunedin; firat prize, Tokomairiro, (owned by Mr M'Lean, Tokomairiro); first prize, Taieri. 1874, first prize, Tokomairiro. Van Tkojip, 3rd.— 1869, second prize, Tokomairiro; third prize, Taieri. (Sold.) Van Tromp 4th.— 1872, second prize, Taieri, one year. 1873, third prize, Dunedin. (Sold.) Sally Dundas.— lß6B, first prize, Tokomairiro, silver cup for best cow or heifer in the yard, presented by Wright, Robertson, and Co., beiting Mr GK Bell's celebrated cow. Second prize, Taieri. 1869, second prize, Dunedin ; first prize, Tokomairiro; silver cup for best cow or heifer, presented by Mr Capstick, Tokomairiro. 1870, first prize, Taieri. 1871, third prize, Taieri. 1873, second prize, Dunedin; first prize, Taieri, in a class of 18 cows, beating Mr G. Bell's celebrated cow Ruby, Queen of" the Butterflies. Sally Athelstane.— Dec, 1867, first prize, Taieri. one year. 1868, firsc prize, Tokomairiro, two years. 1869, second prize, Dunedin ; third prize, Taiori. 1878, second prize, Taieri. Premier (90).— 1873, first prize, Taieri, one year. 1874, first prize, Taieri, two years ; first prize, for best animal in the yard ; silver enp presented by M'Lean Brothers, Dundin. 1875, first prize, silver cup, presented by Wright, Stephenson, and Co. , Dunedin. 1875, first prize, Society's medal, champion class. 1878, first prize, Taieri, Rose.— lß74, first prize, Ta,ieri ; first prize foxbest cow or heifer in the yard, presented by Mr Henry Driver, Dunedin. Numerous other prizes have been taken by well-bred stock exhibited by Mr Kempshell.

fly 6th '••„• v S K °' ' a A April Flower, imported, by Richard CccurdeLion ('3580) aa d May Flower by Abraham I arker . . (9Ssfi) BK « d Gay Lass by Athelbred .. .. (5490, tfgggdoaioty by Albert „ .-. (5729^ eeezed Winifred by Fitzmaurice . . (3807) K^lt'gdWe.lthy by Brougham .. (1740) ggjfggggg d bv son Sir Harry . . . . (5155)