FARM NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 7

FARM NOTES.

PRESERVATIVES F(J& MILK. A leading Glasgow dairyman has been making himself heard on the puzzling questions concerning the use of colouring materials and preservatives in milk. He is strongly opposed to either device. The colouring of milk, he says, should be put down with a strong hand, for at its best it means deeepiJcn, and at it 3 worst it leads to fraud. The eiiest of preservatives are, in his opinion, not to be commended, and in fresh milk and cream should not be tolerated. As an alternative method he advises pasteurisation, which he considers all that is necessary to beep the milk for any reasonable time. This process has, moreover, the distinct advantage over preservatives that no foreign ingredient is added to the milk, and the further boon so far as the consumer is concerned, that, while the natural flavour and consistency are not impaired, any hurtful pathogenic germ that may be in the milki is rendered innocuous, and any careless slip which may have taken place at the point of production effectually checked. THE DEXTER IN SCOTLAND. The Dexter Has found its way into Scotland, and once there, it may safely bo assumed that it will not be an easy task to dislodge it. There are many districts in Scotland admirably adapted for the popular Irish breeds (the Kerry a* well as the more compact Dexter), and wlsiiSh would be advantageously served by them. The climate is more rigorous than that of the Irish mountainous reaches, no doubt, and would render housing at oortain periods of the year essential, but the hardy animals from the Kerry hills can subsist on so little, and yield in milk or beef so liberally in proportion, that it is matter for surprise they have not befora now found numerous supporters in Scotland. EED POLLS AS iIII.KERS. The milk record for 13^ of Mr R. Harvey Mason's red polled herd at Necton Hall, Swaffham, Norfolk, is at once creditable and instructive. The average yield per cow was 562ga1, and the average butter fat 2201b, compared with, corresponding figures of 503 gal and 2031b in 1898. ' The milk yield is not notable in quantity, but Mr Mason studies the quality as well &s the weight of the yield, and thus has been deterred from parting with several cows better adapted for butter producing than milking herds. The improvement compared with the preceding year is substantial and further tribute to the wisdom and economy of keeping a milking register. — Home paper. RESULI 01 KEEPING A RECORD. The advantage of keeping a faithful record of the milking performances of the cows in the dairy is strikingly emphasised by the experiences of <"• leading dairy farmer in Ireland. Mr R. Barter, of St. Anne's Hill, Cork, has; kept such a record for the last ten | years. ■ When he commenced his 70 Jcows ; gave him t\n average of 54-Ogal per annum per cow ; but by means of this record, which enabled him to cant any cow not coming up to the standard, he ha 3 increased thp average yield to 690ga1. Ho Tins thus 150 gal of milk a year from each cow so, a reward for his^ trouble in measuring and recording the individual yields. Watsonia O'Brienii, a Novelty of recent introduction, in a pur© white Flower of great Beauty, and admirably adapted for cutting. NiMHp ASf Blm& :vre ».ovr booking Orders J for Bulbs fco be delivered in the end of March.