ON THE LAND

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 9970, 8 January 1929, Page 2

ON THE LAND

VALUE OF SMALL FARMS. New Zealand lias an unemployment problem and undoubtedly the most effective way to deal with it is to seek the suitable men and set them up as farmers. To accomplish very much in this direction considerable finance is essential, as it is not an economic proposition tor men to settle on unproductive land unless they have capital backing to ensure the early conversion of their holdings to a profitable state- The Bay of Flentv, now served by a railway and electricity services, otters excellent inducements to the right class of settler. Thereare numerous small farms in iauranga County which luinxsh sound proof that a good living is obtainable from such holdings. One in particular,, that occupied by Mr V. D. Harrison, at Otir moetai. stands out as an example of what can be done on farms of this class. The total area is fifty-eight acres, of which some is broken, leaving about fifty acres which is farmed. Mr Harrison goes in for dairying and cropping. He came from Taranaki four and a-half years ago, bringing his dairy herd with him. The property was partly improved, and to-day all the paddocks, except those in crop, are carrying a splendid sole of grass. Mr Harrison relies chiefly on dairying and has concentrated on securing the best pasturage. He has in all eleven paddocks and moves the milking herd from paddock to paddock every third day. He is a strong believer in top-dressing, applying once yearly quantities varying from three hundred-weight to five hundred-weight per acre. The fertilizing is varied. Some of the paddocks are treated with guano, others with slag, several with a mixture of superphosphate and slag, and a few with superphosphate only. There is a splendid growth of succulent and nutritious grass everywhere, and incidentally it may be mentioned that the cattle show the greatest liking for the guano dressed fields.

The cattle-carrying capacity of .the form is decidedly creditable and comprises twenty-one cows, a bull, eight one and ahalf year old heifers, nine calves, and two farm horses, all of which are in the pink of condition. The herd was founded on high-prodiicing cows from Taranaki herds, and is mostly Jersey and Jersey cross. Mr Harrison rears the heifers every year, and the remainder of the separated milk is utilised for the feeding of pigs, of which a large number are fattened. When tbe calves are a few days old caustic soda is applied to tbe place where the little horns are showing and there is no further worry about dehorning the animals. A good supply of water is obtained from springs and a well close to the homestead, from which the water is pumped by a windmill into tanks and troughs. This year Mr Harrison has planted seven acres of maize, which is looking well. It has been already scarified six times and will receive two more scarifyings. In the last two scarifyings a mixture of Italian rye and cowgrass will be sown amongst the maize, the object being to supplement the winter feed and also to keep the ground clean. Kumikumis, a splendid feed for cattle and pigs, is grown with the maize. Additional winter feed is supplied by crops of swedes and Sinclair’s champion carrots. The latter are heavy croppers. They root down well and cannot be readily attacked by hares. A splendid stack of hay. harvested from four and ahal'f acres, is included in the forage supply for winter- Another good stand-by is a stack of grass ensilage—carried over from last season-. Ensilage possesses high feeding value and is much relished by stock. The farm is an excellent example of what can be accomplished by a man who knows his business and pays attention to all details. The property is well handled in every respect and the returns compare very favourably with the revenue earned by the general run of Taranaki farms. Now that the railway is "operating and local farmers are receiving the freight concession on fertilizers the district is sure to benefit and the time is no doubt approaching when greater returns may be expected from the dairyherds of the district with a consequential benefit to the whole community.