THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 7749, 22 October 1888, Page 1

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

The Government have received from the Agent-General a preliminary report by Professor Long, of England, on the connection between the dairy farming industry in this colony and consumption of dairy produce in Great Britain. The questions upon which the Professor was asked to report were:— (1) What are the articles of dairy produce which are largely sold in the British market and which can be profitably produced .in New Zealand? (2) Assuming that dairy goods of the same varieties can be produced in the colony, what means should be taken to educate farmers and others concerned in the trade to induce them to undertake their manufacture t

Concerning the first question he says that from the information he has gleaned with regard to the temperature, the humidity of the soil and grasses of New Zealand, he hi s no hesitation in expressing his belief that butter and at least four of the leading varieties of cheese could be made with the most perfect success, and be delivered in England in a condition to compete with the best produce of the kind sold in the market* He deliberately states his belief that New Zealand, by avoiding the. Danish system, could beat the Danes in the quality of their butter. As regards cheese, the subject is much more considerable. We should want the best in the British market, and those of good brands would find a ready sale. The colony he believes to be splendidly adapted for cheese making, but success would depend entirely upon the proper education of the manufacturing class/ This leads up to his reply to the second question. The best method, he believes, cf commencing to educate the agricultural classes is first of all to convince the GoveMment and local authorities by unmistakeable argument that the particular branch of dairy farming recommended, after mature judgment has been formed, means the greater prosperity of the farmers and the colony. Upon the Government being satisfied with a report made by him with a comprehensive statement prepared by ex 4 perta or officials specially directed to probe the question to the bottom, they would then adopt a popular means of conveying similar information to the people. The best means will be found in descriptive addresses dclivered at a few head centres where facts should be dealt with, but every semblance of scientific teaching be shunned. These addresses should be printed and distributed among farmers with the object of enlisting their interest. The effect would probably be that a certain number of persons would desire to be instructed, and these persors would form the nucleus of the future practical teaching staff of the colony. Central training stations should be opened in each island, which should be equipped with all the best appliances for scientific and practi. cal dairying. The cost would not be con. siderable. Persons of both sexes could be taught the practice of butter and cheesemaking at nominal fees, and those willing to undertake the position of teachers might, after examination showing their fitness for the work, be educated free. Within one year from the commencement he saw no reason why from forty to fifty expert butter and oheesemakers should not le ready for being sent throughout the colony fitted by especial training for giving demonstrations or lectures, or both. Profess< r Long regarded.it as of vital importance that the original instructors should be first-rate men, who also possess absolutely practical knowledge, and almost as important that the station should be welldeaigned and perfectly equipped with the required machinery and plant. The first cost of stations and their plants would be not considerable, even supposing it were determined to keep a herd of cattle at each. The snbseqnept ooife woiild be‘ chiefly confined & the payment of three or four able men engaged to qireotthe work, and of a small ; numbefof T working cheese and bpttermakera at comparatively small rates of pay.