Mr Milligan's "Janefield" farm is nicely situated at the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The soil is mountain debris, and the bottom open gravel, making a most desirable property to work. In the early days the farm was used largely for dairying.
The late Mrs Milligan was a thoroughly competent cheesemaker, and her output of cheddar had more than a local reputation. The herd of dairy cows - the big crossbreds of about seven-eigths Shorthorn - was a splendid one, both for butter fat and beef; and it is still an open question if animals of this class were not more profitable than Jerseys, Holsteins, and other fashionable breeds.
The proprietor of the farm specialised in grain-growing, and introduced several new varieties of both wheat and oats, including some of the Hard Duluth, the American variety that stands first in the London market for price. This wheat did not thrive in Crookston, but the imported oats were invariably a success. Colonial seed wheat also yielded splendid samples and heavy returns of grain. Mr Milligan was a past-master in turnip-growing, and used the manure from cow byres and stable, the best fertiliser known for show "neeps". Root crops are still in favour at "Janefield", and at the Winter Show in Dunedin this year it was W. D. Milligan first and second and the rest distanced. Apple-growing has also received some attention, and samples exhibited in the city and at local shows have always been prizetakers.
After the dairy herd was disposed of, a flock of cross-bred sheep was introduced, and the fats from the farm have always been in request. Some good Clydesdales have been bred from time to time, and the brood mares on the place are of the best. Mr Milligan has always been a keen politician, and an active worker for church, school and local institutions. He was one of the strongest supporters of the church when it was decided to erect a new building, and filled the unthankful position of collector successfully.
Return to: -
Tapanui Station, Brooksdale Estate 1858 - 1910
|
|
