Victorian Earners

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 3

Victorian Earners

VISIT FEILDING DISTRICT A section of the party of touring Victorian dairy farmers visited Kiwitea and Cheltenham yesterday morning and inspected the dairy herds of Mr. Kilgour at Kiwitea and Mr. C. G. C. Dernier at Cheltenham. The party, which included several ladies, first visited Mr. Kilgour’s farm at Kiwitea and then proceeded to Cheltenham. The weather was gloriously fine and the visitors were fortunate in seeing not only the crack Jersey herds at their best, but the properties and pastures in excellent condition. The dairy farmers were keenly interested in the herd and iu the records of butterfat production which Mr. Dernier was able to repeat, “What wonderful pastures!” was the exclamation on all sides. It was easy for the Victorious lo appreciate the growth of grasses, for in their own district of Bendigo at this time of year the pastures are dried and brown. The remarks on the rale of exchange were as already reported, that it. would be a very good thing for the farmers and producers. Speaking of farming operations in Victoria, one member of the party said in the western districts they had some land valued at up to £l3O an acre. Along the Murray river there was n very great expanse of land included in irrigation schemes, producing lucerne and all kinds of fruits. The irrigation of land had become a science and the farmers now got wonderful results. There is a good market in Victoria for New Zealand purebred stock, it was stated, and in support of this .it was mentioned that members of the touring party had already made purchases of Jersey cows at substantial figures. Mrs. Dcrmcr and Miss Dernier entertained the visitors at morning tea, for which Mrs. Gluey, whose husband is a member of the Victorian Parliament, offered thanks. Mrs. Gluey said the rich hospitality inside was quite in keeping with the magnificence of the farm and stock outside, and the Victorians would have pleasant memories for a long time of the kindness they had received at Mr. Dcrmer’s farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Dormer acknowledged Die kind words spoken by Mrs. Olnev. Mr. O'Brien, the journalist ivit-k the tourists, visited and inspected the Bedding Agricultural High- .School farm and properties, gathering a store of information for reference.

The party left later for Palmerston Noith and Napier, expressing the view that the visit was far too short.