Report of the Inspector of Foods for Export. 889 



REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF FOODS FOR 



EXPORT. 



A. A. Broicn, M.B., Ch.B. 



The year ending 30tli Jnne^ 1904, was exceptionally moist, rain 

 having- fallen at fairly short intervals right throughout ; and last 

 summer, differing much from previous seasons, was comparatively 

 cool. During the year there was, according to Mr. Baracchi, a 

 general average fall of o0"37 inches of rain over Victoria, and it was 

 fairly evenly distributed. In consequence of the humidity and 

 geniality of the seasons, grass and water were eveiywhere abundant, 

 markedly contrasting with the conditions prevailing for such a long 

 ])eriod prior to April, 1903. The prolonged drought existing up till 

 1903 devastated the flocks and herds of Australia, and it is estimated 

 that through it the number of sheep in Australia fell to about 

 (30,000,000. Previous to the disastrous drought there were some- 

 thing like 100,000,000 sheep on the continent. 



The percentage of lambing in Victoria will, if favourable con- 

 ditions prevail this coming season, average fully 85 per cent., and in 

 New South Wales about 80 per cent. If the percentage forecasted is 

 actually realized, and if no great mortality from any cause whatsoever 

 occurs to upset calculations, then there will be a large number of 

 lambs available for export about September next. I have been 

 informed that from four stations alone in the Riverina there will, no 

 casualties eventuating, be something like 60,000 lambs despatched to 

 the freezing works for export. Sellers must understand that the 

 volume of an export trade depends wholly on stock being offered at 

 payable rates to exporters ; but if they intend keeping up the prices 

 to the level of last season, then efforts at expansion of trade are 

 frustrated. The prognostications for the season 1904-5 are that it 

 will be marked by a large increase in shipments of lamb. If we are 

 fortunate enough to have a continuous run of two good seasons like 

 the present, then in another two years the number of sheej) in 

 Australia will be again augmented to 100,000,000. 



As a matter of fact last year grass existed in such profusion that 

 there did not exist sufficient stock to consume it. 



In 1903 there were in Victoria, at a rough calculation, 1,600,000 

 cattle, 392,000 horses, 10,842,000 sheep, and 300,000 swine. 



It is a j)ity that when grass is so plentiful stock-owners are not 

 more anxious to conserve it. Stack ensilage could easily be made, 

 and at a cost of between 4s. and 5s. per ton. In seasons of plenty, 

 ensilage should be universally made, and graziers would find it 

 advantageous to adopt the practice. Attention is here directed to 

 the fact that in 1903 Victoria had 962,665 acres under sown grass, 

 and New Zealand 12,000,000 acres. 



It does seem astonishing that Victoria, with all its natural 

 advantages and the great producing industries that it has at stake 



