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1905
6 September 1905
The district is exceedingly rich in fine agricultural and grazing lands. The river flats lend themselves easily to the growth of lucerne, and seeing that dairying is the staple industry of the district, this is of much value in the production of milk. Late frosts stopped growth to a certain extent, but the prospects of a record spring are already assured, and the stock is in excellent condition, and very free from disease. In past years the blow-fly has been a menace to the well-being of the flocks, but this year, as if wishing to vie with all other things in assisting the coffers of the farmer and the pastoralist, the pest is not nearly so bad. The lambing has been very good, the lambs being both healthy and strong. The number of stock in the district is as follows:- Horses, 9222; cattle, 31,993; sheep, 53,826. Acreage: Total area of holdings, 1,289,621 acres; agricultural land under crop, 51,781 acres. Rabbits are very numerous in the flat and open country, and are increasing, in spite of the tremendous destruction of that rodent, which is mainly due to the high price now obtainable for the pelt. Around Coolah and in mountainous country the rabbits show a marked decrease. Dairying, as is the case in many other parts of the State, has been of great salvation to the Mudgee district. The Mudgee Dairy Company, Limited, is a most go-ahead concern, and Mr. E. Doswell, the manager, keeps well abreast of the times in methods and ideas. Last working year 688,428 gallons of milk were received, from which 302,802lb of butter were made. The total amount paid to 101 suppliers for the year ending November 30, 1904, was £9375 17s 3d - an average of a fraction over £93 15s. The business has increased largely since the last reports was issued, and for the July month £1127 was paid for 62,000 gallons of milk. Mr. C. D. Meares is chairman of the company, and the directors are Messrs. Robert Jones, T. Mills, J. Newman, and V. D. Cox. There are also several private factories in the district, some of which go in for the manufacture of cheese as well. At the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Factory, at Wilbertree, Mr. T. A. Wright makes a cheese that for quality and taste should suit the palate of the most hard to please connoisseur. Another cheese factory - that is owned by Mr. T. Foster, of Pyramul, is a great factor in the development of Mudgee. In fact, what with bacon-curing, butter-making, and cheese-making, Mudgee is forging ahead, and undoubtedly holding its own in the fight for pre-eminence in the world of trade. There are a number of fine properties around Mudgee. Cullenbone Station (Mr. J. D. Cox) and Woorribah (Mr. A. T. Cox) are the homes of Jerseys and fine stud sheep. At Oakfield, Mr. I. Cox devotes a large portion of his estate to the growth of lucerne, and at Burundulla the Messrs. A. M. and V. D. Cox go in for dairying on a fairly large scale. A fine sheep export, Mr. J. Keech, manager for the late J. D. Cox, has started business on his own account at Lowlands, a beautifully grassed valley at Wilbertree, with sixty prize ewes - a beautiful lot, indeed. Horse-breeding is now, as has been the case for many years past, essentially a Mudgee "corner." Here famous sires, past and present, include Lochiel, Projectile, Grafton, Holbrook, and many others, and Grafton, the sire of many fashionable performers, is still to the fore. There are many acres under vine crop in the Mudgee district, and the prospect of producing a fine edible grape and a good wine are already assured. Mr. P. J. Rheinberger, Willow Vale, has 10 acres under crop; Mrs. C. Hurth, Wurthemburg, 12 acres, producing in good seasons from 1000 to 1400 gallons of wine; Mr. Cox, of Rosely. has 4¾ acres of vines and 12 acres of orchard1
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