DEMONSTRATION FARM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 27 April 1927, Page 7

DEMONSTRATION FARM.

STRATFORD SOCIETY

The manager’s monthly report, dated April 13, is as follows: ‘•Fifty-nine cows in milk. Milk taken tor March 1 period 1.3,6621 b, test- 4.4 ; second -period 15,1041 b, test 4.4; third period i4,yt>2 lb, test 4.(3. Butter-fat 20421 b. Cultivation of field 1 7 has been completed and oats sown on March 18. Dram at top of lane ha* been finished. Six store pigs and four baconeis were sold during March. Soft turnips were finished On April 9, and chon moullier is now being fed out.. Air. EL May head has been engaged to fill the vacant position, commencing April IS." Advice was received front the Con-weiT-ator of Forest*. Rotorua, notifying that the society's Order ■ for seedling macrocarpa- and pinua> radiata would l>e forwarded when required. These seedlings will be planted in the garden, for twelve months, and transplanted next year for shelter and timber hi the future. The wisdom of establishing shelter in .the early days of the society is now very apparent. Bleak farms ‘should receive attention without delay. The cost of plantations is small, and the benefit arising therefrom is incalculable. Stock-proof fences are essential before the trees are planted, otherwise the cost and work of planting is lost. Draining of creeks has been commenced by digging a ditch in which the water can be confined. Ultimately this will result in the reclamation of waste land and the eradication of weeds along the- creek banks. The culling of the dairy .herd will not be extensive this year, but the two cows which have passed beyond profitable production will be sold/ Topdressing of pastures will be carried put on lines similar to those hitherto followed, in older to further demon.starte the values of different treatment. The Herd Association test resulted as follows : Herd average 7361 b milk, 39AM Il> ibuttcr-fat, 4.7 average test; Association? herd average sS2tb milk, 28.371 b butter-flat, 4.8 average test. The total production to end of March, 1927, was 16,910.921 b, compared with 15,969.91 b for tlie same -period last year.