206 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



tion is evident. The factories are so far apart tliat there is no inter- 

 course between the different makers, so that they learn nothing from 

 one another as they do from intercourse in England. A cheesemaker 

 may go on in blissful ignorance, thinking he is producing excellent 

 cheese, though it is a very ordinary product. When we consider that 

 there is a duty of 3d. per lb. and freiglit to pay on imported cheese, 

 there ought not to be a single pound of New Zealand cheese sold in 

 Australian markets. The climate is favourable, good cheese can be 

 made with instruction^ and instruction alone will accomplish the 

 desired result. 



The export of rabbits and poultry, and the preserving of eggs hj 

 cool storage, has been well superintended by Mr. Hart. Although 

 the number of poultry exported have decreased owing to the drought 

 and the dearness of grain, yet the quality of those exported from the 

 Government Cool Stores has been maintained. The preserving of 

 eggs in cool storage ensures higher prices during the season of plenty, 

 and keeps eggs at a moderate price during the season of scarcity. 

 These results will encourage farmers to increase their stock of poultry 

 and be a benefit to consumers as a whole. 



Inspection of Rural Industries. 



The report of the Inspector of Rural Industries gives a concise 

 yet thorougli description of the work of his bi*ancli without in- 

 troducing material which would more properly be dealt with in 

 special articles. 



Although this year charges have been made for inspection of 

 produce, and railway carriage charged for the transport of exhibits 

 to shows, the number of inspections has not been curtailed, nor the 

 number of shows visited been lessened, which demonstrates that the 

 inspection is of real commercial value, and that the exhibits are so 

 popular that they are keenly sought after by agricultural societies. 



The educational work that Mr. Knight is engaged in, especially 

 the encouragement of such industries as flax growing, will be more 

 highly appreciated when the prices of the staple products of the farm 

 have fallen to normal levels. When hay is £2 per ton and wheat 3s. 

 per bushel, there will be more enquiry as to the value of special 

 products. It is, therefore, the duty of the department to foster these 

 industries meanwhile. 



Stock Inspection. 



The report of the Chief Inspector of Stock shows that the out- 

 breaks of contagious diseases amongst stock have been few during 

 the year. Considerable publicity was given, however, to an outbreak 

 of anthrax amongst cows at Braybrook owing to the necessity of 

 adopting stringent measures in the interests of public health. 



Although cattle have been comparatively free from disease, the 

 outbreak of swine fever is a calamitous event, both for the pig owners 



