FARM NOTES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Issue 2720, 18 November 1910, Page 3

FARM NOTES.

The Americans have evolved a new crossbred type of sheep; resulting from mating the Persian fat tail sheep with the merino. It is said that the mutton is incomparable in quality to any yet produced, while the wool, which has been- designated " Persianno," is claimed to be fine fibred, of great strength, and of very useful character tor manufacturing purposes. A Masterton tanner is making inquiries concerning these sheep. Mr J. Donald, ot Wanganui, who was judge ot the Holsteins at the recent Carterton Show, states that, in his opinion, the Holstein is the coming cow, either for a town milk run or for a creamery. He has milked Holstein and Jersey cows side by side tor a considerable period now, and is gradually getting rid of his Jerseys, as he considers that though the latter's milk is richer, the Holsteins give much more during the season than Jerseys, and pay better. The question of pure milk is arresting the attention of the live stock division of the Agricultural Department, and a special inspection of dairies, other than those supplying butter factories, is being carried out. Inspectors have received instructions to devote particular attention to the weedinef-out from dairy \ herds of all cows whose milk is tound to be contaminated by tuberculosis bacilli. Suspected animals are to be isolated tor a period—diseased ones condemned right oft. A veterinary officer is to be detailed for special duty in the matter of clinical examination ot all cows supplying principal centres ot population—beginning with Wellington. While steady improvement in structural and sanitary conditions of dairies is observable, danger still lies in careless methods of collecting and handling the milk. As Mr Reakes, head of the live stock division, says :—" While some dairy farmers are careful and cleanly, others go the other extreme, and it is necessary these men be made to mend their ways. The existence ot badly constructed daiiy buildings is bad enough, but for a dirty dairyman there can be no excuse whatever." A pig must at all limes have a full supply of oxygen, and especially after his meal. Therefore, the pig that eats and lies down is" the poorest kind ot a pig. This is the opinion of an American breeder. Do not feed your pigs too early at morning or too late at night. The sleeping place should never be ngnt where he is being" fed, because there is a good deal ,of temptation, es : pecially during cold weather, to eat and lie down. The breeding of pigs in Denmark has been so scientifically conducted for years that it is claimed to be possible to obtain 500 sides of bacon identical as to size, shape and quality. If the cow-yard is dirty the cow cannot be clean, and if the cow is dirty the milk must be drawn in dirty surroundings, which means dirty milk, and dirty milk begins to go bad immediately it is drawn. With regard to the pasteurisation of the by-products at dairy factories, the Director of Dairy-produce reports that a very large number have adopted this treatment as applied to whey, and possibly double the number will be following this course as compared with last year. The benefits derived from it are many, and seem to appeal to the farmers. Slower progress is being made, however, with the pasteurisation of skim-milk, and, while a few are adopting it, many dthers are delaying the installation ot the riecessary plant in the meantime, as skim-milk presents more difficulties in treatment than whey, both as regards the cost of the plant needed for the purpose and the effect of the process on the milk. A start has been made at the Glen Oroua Factory with the plant which was installed by the department some time ago, and by an arrangement with the Director of Live-stock and Meat, one of his officers has been placed in charge ot the work, together with the supervision ot the pigs and calves which are being fed on the product. The whole of the skim-milk is being treated daily, to the evident satisfaction of both the directors and the suppliers. When the season is over, some very valuable data should be available regarding the effect of feeding this milk to the farmstock. __________