1.—12

XIV

As an instance of the efficacy of cow-testing it was stated that one farmer increased the production of his herd from an average of 258 lb. of butter-fat per cow to 309 lb. in four years ; another raised his return of 215 lb. to 2821b. in six years. Your Committee recommends that the following steps be taken to bring about improvement : That the testing of dairy cows on association methods be extended as much as possible ; that testing officers be appointed to each of the larger companies for this purpose if an association can be organized, the companies to pay at least a portion of their salaries. It is further recommended that the Department of Agriculture continue to inaugurate and develop associations among the smaller factories in districts visited by officers in connection with the testing of registered dairy cattle. In districts not so visited a group of smaller factories combining for the purposes of herd-testing should receive the same consideration as a larger company working independently. Selection of Types. Now that such, a large proportion of the land suitable for dairying in NewZealand has been cleared and brought into grass, and since values are high in districts which have been most improved, it is necessary that dairy-farmers should keep that class of cow which will convert into milk the largest proportion of the feed grown on these dairy farms. Evidence placed before the Committee indicates that the " special purpose " dairy cow requires less feed for maintenance than does any other type of cow, thus leaving more feed for the production of milk. The heifers to be reared for maintaining the milking-herds on these dairy farms should., as far as possible,, be sired by butter-fat-record bulls. The assistance being given to breeders in authenticating the records of their purebred cows will tend to increase the number of such bulls that will be available to the dairyman. Evidence was forthcoming to the effect that only 13 per cent, of the bulls used in New Zealand are purebred. It would appear, therefore, that a campaign which will bring the importance of better breeding of dairy stock under the serious consideration of the average dairyman should be carried on throughout the Dominion. Tobacco. Where soil and climate are suitable, tobacco-growing offers a- most attractive occupation. Worked in conjunction with orcharding it supplies a long-felt want in providing a blight-resisting profitable crop, which could be cultivated between the fruit-trees up to the time of their corning into bearing —a time of considerable hardship to many a struggling orchardist. It may here be mentioned that the same land will grow apples and tobacco profitably which will not successfully produce other crops. The Quality of New Ziealand Leaf. It has been stated that a first-class leaf can be produced in New Zealand, and one expert witness asserted that we " can grow a better tobacco than Australia, and as good as America." The Committee was afforded the opportunity of inspecting a growing crop, and had samples submitted of dried leaf which apparently bore out the above statement. Australia has appointed a special expert to visit and instruct growers in growing and slow curing. The Committee recommends a similar course in this country. Bonus recommended. Although the industry already has the advantage of a preference of Is. per pound in excise duty, and undoubtedly offers prospects of a promising future, in view of its being still in the experimental stage it is recommended as a further inducement that a bonus of 3d. per pound for five years be granted to growers on dried leaf of approved quality ; further, that advances be granted to growers on proper security for the erection of curing-barms. It is also recommended that every effort be made to procure the best seed for distribution at cost price.