STOCKING THE FARM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 309, 30 December 1940, Page 6

STOCKING THE FARM.

(To the Editor.)

There is no doubt that when we heir the slogan "Increase Production,'* our minds turn to the farmer, for it is necessary not only to maintain production, but to think ahead. From now on men will be returning in varying degrees of fitness, and why not without delay prepare to have a small farm ready for each and all, not at prices unduly inflated by organised land monopolies, but Covernment holdings with every assistance tlie State can give. It appears that if things go on as tlicv are, it is going to take some assistance, too. The strain on a young country, year after year, caused by the killing of youngstock, including the heifers and lambs, must take its toll, and the stocking and breaking-in of new farms presents increasing problems. Dairy farmers with herds of thirty to forty could not carry an annual increase of 2.> per cent to maturity. Vet not to make some effort means a growing decrease with even more disastrous effects than with sheep. Unlike sheep, which when k.lled are dead and done with, not only does a cow go on providing the butterfat for money returns, but goes on most of the time providing the building material for the calf to bo. Though 90 per cent of our wealth comes from the land, our people, as a whole, are not nearly farmminded enough. To-day no one wants to put in a few acres of wheat and have their own small local mills. There are few who realise the value of growin" green cro]*:, vegetables and foodstuffs, or weaving their own woollen wear or killing their own meat. Xature, in other words, is turned down and the mechanical way found easier. As we cannot rear our young heifers in numl>ers sufficient for replacements and keep up production, then the onlv alternative is to seek Government assistance and throw the onus on the Government to find suitable healthy run offs supplemented by suitable food. And with a right selection there is no reason why stock could not he eonserved so that the Government *nd those wishing to take up land will have the matured stock necessary to stock it. A. J. G. SCHMITT.