A Model Milking Shed.

The milking shed is a model of what such a building should be, for economy of labour in milking, absolute cleanliness with a minimum of trouble, and everything that can ensure the purity of the milk—except the milking machine. At present the milking is done by hand, but I believe the installation of an up-to-date milking machine is in contemplation. Now that milking machines have been so much improved, and their great value recognised by the most enterprising dairy farmers in this country, one can hardly regard a model dairy as complete where this equipment is absent.

In this department opportunities art afforded to demonstrate the enormous saving of loss secured by ascertaining beyond doubt which individual cows should be discarded as below the standard in yield. Also what varieties of green forage for the feeding of the cows at different seasons of the year are the most advisable to grow. How ensilage can be utilised, and other feeding questions can all be tested here and the results brought under the notice of the farmers and the farm cadets, of whom 1 shall have something to say later.

I should mention also that there is installed at the Ruakura dairy a complete and up-to-date separating and butter-making plant, under the care of a qualified mechanic, who is competent to instruct cadets in the management and working of such machinery.