The Departmental Ed'hihit at the Royal Slioir. 973 



and oil plants, grjisses and fodders of various kinds, dried and \ivv- 

 served fruits, cider and vinegar, wax models of the most important 

 varieties of fruits, fruit cases and baskets, and a collection oi thistles 

 and other injurious weeds. 



Mr. Knight's energies are largely devoted to endeavouring to 

 popularise the cultivation of hax, and a breaking and scutching i)lant 

 was shown in operation, the fibre turned out being of first class 

 ([ualit}". Those who have i-ecently gonein for flax growing on u])-to- 

 date lines are of opinion that this will eventually become a most 

 important indnstry in this State, where the natural conditions are so 

 eminently suited to the plant. The net returns are variously assessed 

 at from t5 to kl per acre after allowing fen- all expenses including 

 rent of land, so there is reason to expect considerable develojjmcnt in 

 this direction shortly. 



Though show time is not the best for giving instruction in fruit 

 preserving, owing to the comparative absence of fresli fruits, yet 

 shift was made with what could be procured. Farmers' wives and 

 daughters are always keenly appreciative of these demonstrations, 

 and on this occasion many city people were not above seeking for 

 some useful hints. 



Instruction in cider and vineo'ar makino- was also o-jven, both 

 adjuncts to apple growing which might with advantage be more 

 generally adopted. 



Export fruit cases, both old and newer types, were shown, and tlie 

 best methods of packing illustrated at frequent intervals. The 

 merits of the new patent cases were freely discussed by growers and 

 exporters, but most seemed averse to the adoption of any ])ackage 

 which would tend to increase the cost of landing fruit in London. 



Chemical Branch. 



Typical samples of produce grown on the various experimental 

 plots under the supervision of Dr. Howell showed in a striking 

 manner the value of manuring. Crops of millets and sorghums grown 

 on sandy soil at Mordialloc were increased two and three times in 

 weight by the use of appropriate fertilizers. An object lesson, such 

 as was afforded by samples of average plants from these experimental 

 plots, is rarely seen, and it is much to be regretted that additional 

 space was not available to enable these to be shown to better 

 advantage. A fine series of photographs was exhibited illustrating 

 the effect of various manures on all kinds of crops. Some s])lendid 

 samples of tobacco from the Edi Tobacco Farm showed what can be 

 done in tobacco growing by selection of varieties suited to the soil 

 and climate, and proper attention to cultivation, harvesting and 

 curing. Excellent samples of seed harvested from the experimental 

 ])lots, as well as soils and agricultural produce in various stages 

 during their analysis, were shown. 



A varied collection of instruments and glassware used in the 

 laboratory work afforded some faint suggestion of the intricate 



