NEW ZEALAND FARMING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 February 1925, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND FARMING.

THROUGH AUSTRALIAN BYES.

TEACHING EXPERT’S OPINION

After a. month’s, tour of inspection through, most of the North Island, Mr EL Break well, 8.A., 8.50., pnmpiu of the Yaneo Agricultural High School, returned to Sydney Inym New Zeafaiul last week. His impressionis were brionv cabled. Mr. Breakwell was formerly am-ostrologist to the New South Males Department of Agriculture, and w that capacity was familiar with most of the coastal and central portions- ol the State. He is, therefore, well fitted to make adequate comparisons between the agricultural methods ol the two- countries. Interviewed on his return, Mr. Breakwell mentioned that he was much impressed with the luxuriant pastures to be seen everywhere throughout the island. Pasipahim is generally excluded, even in localities where it can be successfully grown. Its place is taken by cocksfoot; rye grass. Brown Top and red clover. The cooler climate and adequate rainfall render such pastures -superior to most of those in New South Wales. In. districts*, with first-class soils, such as Taranaki and Palmerston, an annual carrying capacity of two cows oer acre is quite common, and forms the basis for the highly efficient dairying industry. • Dairying anti Stock. The dairy holdings, he found, are. quite small, but the most is obtained 1 from them bv the -subdivision of paddocks, and utilising any excess oi growth by making grass hay. Gra»s and clover hay stacks, are dotted a.i over the countryside. Such a form of fodder conservation could, he considers, with advantage, be more widely adopted by New South Wales dairymen, especially on, the south coast, where such grasses and clovers thrive. Giant Fescue is not looked upon with favour in New Zealand, but Tall Fescue is common. Stock everywhere are in first-class condition, and Mr. v Breakwell noted that the Friesiaus appear to be gaining in popularity. In, the more hilly parts the combination of sheep and dairy farming is producing good results, the Romney-merino class being evidently adapted to such districts. While on the flat country, especially at Ruakura, experiment- farm, foot-rot is very prevalent, the physical condition of this cross among the hills is excellent. He failed to- see why there is not. more scope for such a combination of dairying with, this or a. similar cross of sheep in the hilly coastal and tableland districts in New South Wales, where the rainfall is sufficient for good .pastures. Owing to the fact that carcase development in New Zealand takes precedence of wool covering, the quality of the latter• appears to be deteriorating. judging from the recent public controversy. Wool classers .in Bradford have drawn attention, to the presence of hair in the crossbred wool, and this is causing no little concern. Farm Training. ••The Bhakura. State Farm, in the Waikato district, Mr. Breakwell considers, is very inferior in, most respects to Hawkesbury Agricultural College, or to such State farms, as Wagga or Bathurst. Great credit is due, however, td>the manager of that farm for his efforts in reclaiming the “ti-tree” country which was previously considered useless by the ordinary farmer. The pastures he lias laid down, chiefly with Lotus major, a leguminous plant, are simply' remarkable, and sifch an achievement alone has justified the existence of the farm. It ha-s -been stated that 300 head of large stock and 2000 sheep were carried on the 900 .acres of the farm (mostly pasture) last year, with no supplementary feeding apart froni the crops . grown on, the total area mentioned.