DAIRY SHOW GATE-TAKINGS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1163, 26 June 1911, Page 8

DAIRY SHOW GATE-TAKINGS.

DECREASE THIS YEAR, (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Palmerston, North, June 25. The gate-takings at the National Dairy Show amounted to £as 2. being ,£I7S less than the amount received at the previous winter show; Under the circumstances of very inclement weather, and the Coronation celebrations' in other parts of tho district, the wonder is that the reduction was not larger. A strikingijexamplo of the value of lime to light partially drained (surface drains only) swamp land is to bo seen at the Ruakura Experimental Farm. Part of a field was selected for the liming experiment. One-third of tho plot received 1 ton of ground burnt lime, another equal portion \ ton, and the third portion scwt. The first.season a crop of oats was grown, but there was no sign whatever of any effect of the liming. A catch crop, consisting of psa% oats,, and barley followed. At once tho benefit of tho liming was demonstrated. AVhero the ton had been applied the growth was luxuriant and vivid in colour, the rate of developmentdeclining with the reduction in the lime content of the soil, the unlimed portion being in strong contrast to the rest of the field.—"Agricultural Journal."

The Dalefield Dairy Factory Directors have decided to instal live new Victor Milk Vats, amk have instructed Mr. Albert J. I'arton, of Carterton, to deliver them' Complete for ' August. Anyone interesed in milk vats, cans, or choose hoops should write for a catalogue. Tho "Victor" makes aro out on their own for quality and finish. Write bow.*

THE FEEDING OF DAIRY COWS.

SOME OBSERVATIONS.

■ AMion Mr. J. Drysdalc (who was in chaise of the AYcroroa State farm) was in Australia recently, lie had an opportunity ol studying Australian methods of feeding dairy cows, and of making comparisons of thorn with the methods in use in Aew Zealand, la.ihc current number of the Agricultural "Journal" Mr. Drvsdnlo gives the result. v * • . The first.thing to attract his attention on Commonwealth dairy farms was that increasing attention was being given 'to the making of silage, farmers being given every encouragement by ■ the Victorian, Aew South Wales, and Queensland Governments to adopt this principle of focd conservation, he says. "Silage is certainly a most important factor in successful dairying operations on the other side, banners arc realising this fact. Thev are passing beyond the stacking stage, and are largely employing the American method of.chaffing material and preserving it in stave silos, which are filled by means of a blower, attached to the chaffcutter. This" style is found to be cheaper and more convenient in the end. A larger amount of succulent feeding material can thus be stored away. The silo is necessary in Australia because of climatic conditions, which generally mean an abnormal growth of grass and'fodderplants at certain seasons of the year and more or less long intervening dry spells. Thus it is only through silage that milking stock can be provided with tho necessary succulent food for any lengthened period. Tn this country it .is rather different. _ Here green crops can bo grown in practically any summer, and thus, under a proper scheme of management, ideal milk-forming foods are available at all times.: ' • •

"In no case," Mr. Drysdale continues, •"did I ??c root crops grown for 'dairy stock, which have to depend on the natural grasses supplemented by. silage and hay. In some cases' Australian dairy'farmors are 'taking a leaf out of New Zealand's- book and are growing maize for feeding in a green state, but this is only in favoured localities., Paspalum is tho dominant grass in the great north coast dairy country, and,in the peculiar moist environment it flourishes in an amazing manner. It is hardly probable, however, that it can give the same feeding value as a pasturage of English grasses. I noticed that the paspahim in the autumn caused considerable trouble, by reason of the seed-stalks • getting up into tho nostrils of the cattle. A wholo herd would be seen to bo breathing very heavily, as though the cows were affected with tuberculosis. The seed gets right into the "nostril, causing irritation and subsequent inflammation, and thereby necessitating tho animal-breathing through the mouth. In many cases the farmers, have n peculiar-shaped hook made for the purpose of taking out the seed.' "There are sections here and there in New South Wales.and Victoria where ideal dairying country is to bo found; but this advantage is largely.counterbalanced by the periodic droughts, or more or less "frequent spells "of dry weather. In the south coast district of New South Wales, long famed .lis a dairying country, dairv farms' have changed hands at £W an acre and over; and tho land is ,worth it especially as tho district is connected with-the capital both by rail and water. Generally speaking, however, the milkvielding" value of Australian dairy-cntdo 'food is not equal to that of this country. In favoured months it may be, but it is the year's experience that has to be considered, and it is here where the Now Zealand milk-producer has the advantage." '•