N.Z. FARMERS' TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 173, 24 July 1930, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' TOUR.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA,

EXPERIENCLS RELATED,

Some of the experiences of 'die party of New Zealand farmers which has just returned from Australia are related in a letter to the Auckland "Star" from a member of the band.

He remarks on the extreme dryness of the Australian climate. Some places had not had rain for over three years, and where is was impossible to feed the sheep and cattle 011 artificial food, they had died. "We must have passed thousands of sheep along the roads," he writes, "and they were practically all in poor condition."

The jtarty visited an agricultural college in Victoria. There, he said, experiments Avere being carried out to discover the type of wheat which is best able to withstand the drought. The seed was planted out by hand, four inches apart, and when they got a type that was suitable, it, was grown under expert Government supervision. Before it was put on the market and advertised accordingly, it was tested out thoroughly. Wheat for experimental purposes was imported from all parts of Europe. The land is chocolate in colour, and the surface soil is six inches deep. Underneath it is clay. It is good wheat-growing countrj'.

Fat lamb raising has also been the subject of a good deal of inquiry. The Dorset horn was found to be the best cross. Lambs could be got away at four and a' half months, whereas the other crosses took a month longer. The college could sell all the best studs, 4J months old, at six guineas. There was a market for more than could be grown.

The writer speaks about visiting one fai"-i, whose r —ner had one paddock down in subterranean clover. It had grown thick, like a mat, and fattened stock very quickly. It also came on very cariy and, for that reason, farmers seemed to think it would be generally used in Australia. It proviuju an abundance of food in dry weather.

" We are now visiting a stud Clydesdale farm," he says. "The i> are of a splendid type. And a good uoal of the blood comes from New Zealand." Tho Commonwealth was trying to provide the farmer, and particularly the small holder, with stud butterfat test bulls from proved stock. Some of the Jersey herds were averaging over 4001b of butterfat.