HOSPITAL FARM.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9573, 26 July 1923, Page 7

HOSPITAL FARM.

COMMITTEE'S QUA KTKKLY '!! EDO RT. The Hospital hirin Committee presontcd flic following timirterly report oi‘ its operations to ye.-.tei'day’s aneetill” of the Hospital Hoard:— The ordinary farm operations Lave been satisfactorily carried on during tliis period and good average returns have been secured of produce for the institutions under your Hoardbs jurisdiction. The cows are doing remarkably well considering' the weather we have had for the winter season. AW are now deriving the full benefit of our expenditure on the concrete i.-ilo. which is one of the most valuable assets on the farm. AW have been feeding the milking Lord on the ensilage for more than a month past, and there are over two mouths' supply vet available, and tin’s will carry us well into .September. The hill country recently secured by lease, is also proving very valuable during the recent wet weather as it gives dry camping ground for the cows. Our own heifers are now coming in, three having already calved and they are proving to be of really good quality. The piggeries are now complete and the fattening pens can be utilised very profitably in topping off pigs for market. The large calf shed lias been built with feeding bale- for each c-alf. enabling each calf to get its full allowance in feeding. We have had ploughed and fenced in an area of about three acres with the intention of providing vegetables for the hospital AW hope to be able to commence tupplying a certain quantity during the coming summer. A truck of lime lias been obtained from the J’atutnki lime kilns for use on this land. AVe have a few acres ploughed in preparation for farm crops also, but the wet weather has hindered further operations in the meantime. The main entrance from Ormond Hoad to the cowshed has been .formed and gravelled and Las proved to be a great boon during the winter weather. .Repairs to fences have been effected and gates made and hung in convenient: places. Arrangements have been made for securing more breedcows, also a gift Las boon made to the farm of a valuable Berkshire boar, but these have not yet arrived and will come within the next quarter's report. The pedigree cows or heifers which were authorised to be purchased have not yet been secured, but we hope to be able to purchase something of quality and within our means before long. Prices at the recent Taranaki gales have been exceptionally high, one specially good young Jersey cow going at the record price of 501 ens. AVe would like to draw your attention to the fact that a heifer under two years old by our Jersey bull was sold at auction for 70 guineas, this proving that he is of the right strain for high production. During this very wet weather we can see the urgent necessity for tile draining for intensive fanning. As coon ns funds permit we intend to commence this in a small way. and gradually extend over the whole area.

The financial returns for the quarter are as follows: —Receipts, £421) 2s fid: expenditure, 239 5s 7d; excess of receipts* over expenditure. £lB9 17s 2d. The monthly financial report stated that the receipts were: Milk and cream to the institutions. £132 3« Sd; vegetables, £2 12s Gd; total. £134 lGs 2d. Expenditure: AVages, £4l 13s 1!d: subsidies. £3l 2s 7d; total, £72 His (id ; excess oft receipts over expenditure. £GI 19s Sd.—Th© report: was adopted.