15 



The State appropriates for the use of the bureau annually al)out 

 $4,000, which is used in the publication of the official journal, for post- 

 age exjjenses incurred by the several branches, and for other adminis- 

 trative items. About $2,500 additional is also appropriated for sal- 

 aries of the secretary, clerks, and other employees engaged by the 

 bureau in administering its work. 



A feature of the system that is distinctive is the gathering and pub- 

 lishing of the papers and addresses presented before the various 

 branches in a monthly journal, which is distributed to the active mem- 

 bership in all of the branches throughout the State. By this means 

 there is kept up a degree of interest and mutual helpfulness that has 

 been found to be of great service. 



The practice of assembling representatives from all of the branches 

 in a general conference each year is also w^orthy of careful considera- 

 tion. Perhaps the most radical departure from the methods usually 

 ado})ted in the forming of local organizations is in the '* appointing " 

 of the active membership by the central bureau and limiting the num- 

 ber to 15 in any one branch. By this means those responsible for 

 the work of the branches are selected from among the most successful 

 and intelligent farmers. This insures efficient administration. At 

 the same time the system of honorary membership permits the gen- 

 eral farming public also to have the advantage of the educational 

 work of the association. 



TASMANIA. 



The methods employed for the improvement of agriculture in Tas- 

 mania are nuich the same as those in use in South Australia. Each 

 has a central administrative board and a system of branch boards 

 extending throughout the rural districts with limited membership 

 and holding monthly meetings for the discussion of practical matters 

 relating to agriculture. The organization Avas created by act of Par- 

 liament in 1891 and is officially known as the council of agriculture. 

 It consists of eleven members elected by the local branches for a 

 period of two years. The president of the council is chosen b}^ the 

 members from among their number. The secretary is appointed by 

 the governor on the recommendation of the council and must not be a 

 member of that body. The council is required to meet at least once 

 every two months, and the proceedings of these meetings are pub- 

 lished in the official journal of the council. 



The act provides that the powers and duties of the council shall be — 



(1) To appoint boards of agriculture, nominated by five pei'sons in any dis- 

 trict in which no board of agriculture exists, and to maintain correspondence 

 and cooperation with all boards of agriculture with a view to advance the inter- 

 ests of agriculture generally. 



(2) To collect and publish, by means of the press and by aid of the boards of 

 agriculture, information of every kind calculated to prove beneficial to colonists 



