AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Br Forbes Buen, F.H.A.S.

liireresk Farm.

It is with some hesitation that I venture to describe one of the prize farms of Otago — as it has already been the subject of many favourable press . notices, written by practical men. As for any mild criticisms that I may pass on the system of management pursued, Mr Gilroy's prestige as an advanced agriculturist will not suffer I am sure. Only nine years ago this piece of land was in the rough, covered with iiax, and reeds, and unproductive.

Inveresk farm is situated close to the Clutha River, and about two miles from Stirling. It comprises an area of about 350 acres of most valuable land. The nature of the soil may be described as river deposit on the top of moss. A most convenient well-metalled road, half a chain in width, divides the farm and must have entailed consideiable outlay on the part of the proprietor. The property is portioned off into eighteen paddocks ' well fenced and drained. ( The draining operations are extensive, and also expensive, as may be understood, when I state that a large pumping plant, consisting of a portable engine and a Tangye pump, capable of throwing out 525 gallons per minute, plays an important part in the scheme. Many of the paddocks are tile-draiived , and this work was performed under some difficulty owing to the nature of the ground. To prevent the pipes from sinking 4xl planks were laid below them, to afford solidity. The open ditches are well kept, and great care has been exercised, in regard to levels. The pumping plant is of cowse situated on the lowest part of the farm and close on the boundary. In flood times or after heavy rains, this plant is brought into requisition, and can be profitably used by throwing the water to such levels as secure a free run to the river. The pumping plant is enclosed in a large shed, which is also utilised for a store and a chaffing house. The farm buildings, which are situated close to the public road, are extensive and substantially built of brick on concrete foundations. They are unique, inasmuch as they provide accommodation for stall-feeding fifty head of cattle. Implement sheds, stables, store-rooms, etc., are comprised in this modern homestead. Iv regard to stall-feeding cattle, Mr Gilroy has found it, owing to the small margin of profit left for fattening cattle, and the difficulty of securing men who understand the nature of the work, judicious to abandon this system for the present. Even supposing these objections were removed, I do not consider this style of fattening cattle in stalls so pro-

fitable as that of having the animals placed | in loose boxes. So far, the manure on In- j veresk farm derived from the cattle stalls | has been taken out and exposec' in an open heap, but Mr Gilroy now proposes, building a covered manure shed. The liquid manure fiom the stalls, is drained into large reservoirs, and when -the housing of cjittle was practised this was pumped into an iron oart that was used for distributing it on the land. It does not require much j>erception to understand that this mode of procedure was unprofitable. In loose-box feeding this vyaste and expense are avoided — fresh litter being added daily — and the whole allowed to remain for some considerable time, until the whole mass is ready for use on the land, it containing without any loss whatever all the valuable constituents obtained from the siraw and excreta, of the animals. Besides, cattle will thrive better in loose-boxes, and labour is economised. Two large concrete tanks capable of holding 6000 gallons each,con=ei'vc the water derived from the large roof ilc?. I*\ iihe shed are to be found a very large collection of agricultural instruments — i. may B ay ' a too large collection. I use the term ad- ■ visedly, as in this case I am afraid Mr Gilroy has a lot of unprofitable capital invested. j

In walking over the farm any practical farmer cannot but observe, that all work is carried out in a thoroughly efficient manner — work that is substantial, and yet with a covering of tidiness about it that is pleasing, and costs little. Mr Gilroy has had, as can be easily understood a lot of uphill work to contend with getting his land into proper working order. One of" the greatest expenses he has had to face is that of stumping — this class of country being actually in places full of dead tiiiiber, which cannot be removed without considerable outlay. This cost to many may seem high, for it somes to close on £7 per acre. These operations _ have extended, of course, over some considerable time, and it is only after succeeding efforts that the land can be thoroughly cleaned. This is explained by the gradual sinking of this class of soil as it beccmes consolidated.

Mr Gilroy's system of farming has centred, I think, in the idea of laying this very rich land as quickly as the proper working of the soil would allow into pasturage. To do this in the first stages of cultivation the sowing of rape and turnips broadcast was practised. This was followed up by a second crop of turnips, eaten off by cattle. lam sorry that my ideas of bringing this class of land into profit do not coincide with Mt Gilroy's, biit Btill I am not afraid to express them. I will allow that the fattening of cattle on this land will help to consolidate it, which is of great importance. On the other hand, the returns made from cattle are small indeed, and the enriching of this already highly-fertile soil by this system is more detrimental than otherwise. If lime had been applied in the early stages, and a few crops of grain taken in succession from this land, I think its preparation for profitable grass would have been hastened. There is a possibility of having land in a too high state of fertility, even for profitable grazing. The application of lime to this nature of soil would have supplied "bone" to the straw of the cereals, and prevented the "lodging" of the crops, which at present is a great drawback to profitable mixed farming. My visit to Mr Gilroy's farm afforded me an opportunity of seeing an excellent crop of swedes of different varieties, the crop displaying unmistakable proof that the greatest care had been exercised in the growing of these roots. Reliable deductions show that the average weight of this crop must be about 63 tons per acre. In regard to variety of swedes the " Standard " showed the most quality, the " neck " or leaf-stalk in many of the others being lengthy and coarse, while ia the " Standard " a most symmetrical lot of bulbs was in evidence. Mr Gilroy sows his turnjps on shallow ridged drills, and wisely too, as deep drilling on land of this nature wculd only encourage loss of moisture. The "Daisy," an. imported machine, which, as a combination, is exceedingly valuable, is employed on Inveresk farm, and when drawn by two good 6mart walking horses eight acres per day may be put down as an average day's work. This machine makes the drills, bows the manure and seeds in desired proportions. The turnip plants are jhinned by hand, and the cost by contract is about 10s to 12s per acre. I have never 6een greater care exercised in this class of work than what is in evidence here. Not a blank is observable and the regularity of distances is reduced to mathematioal exactness. Small quantities of manure only are used, chiefly Maiden Island Guano, and that at the rate of about 2cwt per acre. Trials have been made, however, with other fertilisers, and this season Mr Gilroy succeeded in gaining the prize offered by Messrs Fison and Co. for the best sixteen acres or over of turnips grown with their manure. I may mention that a number of experiments have been carried on here by Mr Gilroy on behalf of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, with a view of ascertaining the value of many artificial manures. I consider, however, that this rich class of land is not suitable for carry- I ing out thit work, the fertility of the soil preventing definite results being obtained. About 200 head of cattle are fattened annually, and the line J saw contained many good sorts. In J:he summer months about twenty cows are milked, and the neighbouring factory supplied. I saw a very good shorthorn bull, that Mr Gilroy purchased last year for use in his herd. A. few pedigreed Hereford., cows and heifers are a choice lot, and evidently the owner has a fancy for the white faces.' ■

A very useful little woolshed and handy yards, are found large enough to accommodate the shearing and working of about 1000 sheep, which is about the usual number Mr G-ilroy has on hand in the early summer months. Very useful dipping arrangements are also provided This class of land is better adapted for the rapid fattening of sheep than to a breeding flock.

The horses provided for x doing the agricultural 'work are a useful short-legged sort. Mr Gilroy has the proud distinction of having gained Sir John Bennet Lawes's shield for the best-managed farm in Otago under 400 acres. I am pleased to meet wi{h such advanced agriculturists as Mr Gilroy, and regret that there are "bo few of his class in th» colony, at the same time I am afraid that that gentleman's enthusiasm in up-to-date farming matters may lead him into interesting buL liot altogether profitable expenditure.