SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING.

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 70, 16 December 1929, Page 14

SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING.

MAKERUA PLAINS. “The best land.l have ever seen”— this and similar expressions of opinion have been heard from experienced farmers after Inspecting that stretch of rich drained swamp land which extends from Tokomaru to Shannon.

Owing to extensive draining operations and to the subsequent consolidation of the soil and other causes, the flax, which until recently grew there so luxuriantly, is going out, and the land is being cleared and transformed into prosperous dairy farms.

Considerable areas which have been subdivided and roaded, have already been taken up by wise and discriminating settlers. A tour through this part of the Manawatu convinces even the most sceptical that here indeed is a dairy farmer’s paradise in the making. Inquiries made at the farms of settlers who have been fortunate enough to secure holdings during the last five years, elicit some remarkable information. In several cases herds of substantially more than a cow to the acre, besides dry stock, are carried all the year round without any or very little supplementary feed. Butter-fat production to the extent of 2501 b. per acre is not an uncommon return. Handsome results such as these could perhaps be expected from fully improved high grade farms where intensive methods are used, but here in some instances it is being done with practically no agricultural work or fertilising whatever. On the other hand, remarkably successful results Yave followed cropping ventures; onions, carrots, potatoes, maize, turnips; etc., being produced much beyond expectations.

It is satisfactory to note that electric power lines are being constructed; this will prove a great aid and convenience to settlers.

The fact that Palmerston North is within 14 miles and that both Shannon and Tokomaru are handily adjacent is also very much in its favour. A further large area of this wonderfully fertile Makerua Plains country is now being made available for closer settlement by Messrs. Miranui, Ltd., the well-known Flaxmilling Company. Those desirous of securing really firstclass land would be well advised to seize the earliest opportunity of making their selection, as it is anticipated that every acre offering will be quickly taken up. For full particulars write R. W. Priest. “Tinies” Building, Broadway, Palmerston North.—Advt.