THE SMALL FARM WELL TILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21254, 6 August 1932, Page 12

THE SMALL FARM WELL TILLED

Sir, We have seen a lot of controversy in the papers concerning the small farm scheme. This is, in my opinioD, one of the best ways of restoring New Zealand to prosperity, providing good land is utilised and market values are paid, viz., the value of land should be based on the price of produce and not the inflated values of some years ago. We frequently read of Denmark and the position she has captured with her produce. As I have studied and visited Denmark I will try and enlighten those who are against the scheme and what can be done on small farms. The average holdings are from 10 to 25 acres. A holding of 10 to 15 acres carries 10 cows, two horses, 30 pigs and 200 poultry, or more. The cattle are brown in colour and resemble the Ayrshire, which plaved an important pail in building their herds up. (The original colour of the Ayrshire was brown.) Ihe averag® test is 4.1 to 4.2 with a good flow of milk. The pigs are white and similar and practically identical with the Large Whites. It has been said that the Large Wlnte also played an important part in building up their pig studs. The holdings of from .10 to 15 acres supply the bacon factories with from 50 to 120 pigs per year, always three or more pigs per cow beine fed. Only first-grade quality produce is allowed to be exported, the second grade being sold at home for as low as 2d per lb. for bacon, and other commodities of second grade at like low prices. The Dane is a great worker with his horses, which are seldom idle. He is methodical and intensive in his methods and a great believer in feeding concentrates. His motto is: "Feed well, reap well." The coun'.ryside is dotted with silos, which play an important part in conserving his fodder. The average Dane has from £4 to £6 per acre expenses to meet annually to the Government in the way of land, interest and taxes. Now, if 75 P er _ of our farmers gave up half of their farms and farmed the remainder on intensive and scientific" methods they would be better off in five years than they ar# to day. Let New Zealand avail herself of the experiences and methods of older countries and not fall into her own pit holes. W. S. Watson-