RUAKURA FARM WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 18

RUAKURA FARM WORK.

GOOD YIELD FROM COWS. VALUE OF JERSEY CATTLE. ,{BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Saturday. Seasonal operations are being carried on successfully at lluakura. As the result of the recent rains and the liberal top-dressings with fertilisers "which the pastures have received the paddocks are looking at their best. The stock, which wintered well on grass and on the care-fiilly-halaueod rations regularly served to tliein, are in splendid condition, aval the production-of the cows so far til's season is well in excess of the yield lor the same period last year. Fertilisers have been applied according to the nature of the. soil, superphosphate being distributed on the sweet country and basic slag "where the soil is inclined tc be sour. The old orchard, from which most ol the trees have been removed, has been prepared for temporary pasture, which is expected to last until the new orchard is bearing. The remainder of the old trees will then be uprooted and the field laid down in permanent pasture. A tractor lias been employed on the farm for some months ■ and is rendering invaluable service in- working down the soil preparatory to sewing crops of turnips, swedes, mangels and potatoes. Of the four breeds of dairy cattle on the farm. Jerseys, Guernseys, Shorthorns and Ayrshires, last season's returns from the Jerseys were far in advance of those yielded by the other cattle. The Shorthorns and Ayrshires yielded • about the same quantity of butter-fat. The experience at Ruakura has shown that when fed under exactly similar, conditions on rich Waikato dairying country the proved Jersey is the only cow the dairyman can afford to keep if he hopes to win success. The mtniber of poultry kept a-t Ruakura has been greatly reduced lately, pending the erection of the new quarters.. The old houses have been demolished and several new pens lyivo been built. Sufficient accommodation is available to house all the poultry at night., while in the day they are allowed the liberty of a large field. Although a year lias not elapsed since the large white pigs were introduced at Ruakura, the animals appear to havo become quite acclimatised. They have proved prolific breeders, and the young are doing well. When grazed in the open on grass and black barley and given partridge peas, potatoes, roots and milk in their pens, the pigs thrive well and grow to a large size.