8 August, 1907.] Experimental Farms. 451 



water. Meanwhile, a somewhat uncertain supply is being derived from the 

 channels of the Rodney Irrigation District. Although irrigation had 

 already proved successful in the Goulburn Valley, it was either in associa- 

 tion with small areas under intense culture or with large areas relying 

 upon it to a small extent only. Here at Wyuna with over 100 settlers 

 on moderate sized farms who would have to depend principally upon irri- 

 gation for their returns a new problem presented itself, and the Minister 

 of Water Supply, the Hon. Geo. Swinburne, M.L.A., decided upon a 

 notable departure, viz., the establishment of a Government Farm where 

 the feasibility and profitableness of working such small areas could be 

 demonstrated. 



In fhe initiation of any new method, in Agriculture as in any other 

 pursuit, work must be at the outset largely experimental. Now it is not 

 for the individual to undertake experimental work. It is not a fair burden 

 for the individual ; he is not as a rule fitted either by temperament or 

 by training for such work ; the cost of the failures, inevitable in any new 

 departure, is considerable ; and more important, the results are not avail- 

 able for the general public. The experimental farm is absolutely 

 necessary to the prosperity of irrigated culture. Nor can the bogey of 

 State Socialism be successfully raised, the cost and the benefits in such 

 a case being shared by the whole community. 



There is no country in the world where nature has bestowed her gifts 

 of fertile soil and perfect climate with a more lavish hand than in Vic- 

 toria. Yet these bounties are not to be obtained without hard work. To 

 cause arable lands to unlock their stores of wealth, many questions have 

 yet to be asked and answered. The proper rotation of crops, the selection 

 of improved \arieties of seeds, the times for sowing, the methods and 

 thoroughness of tillage, the values and suitabilities of manures, the breeding 

 of stock, the selection of dairy cows, the improvement of pastures, the 

 perfecting of dairy and butter factory methods, ,are but a few of the 

 problems besetting the farmer. After giving him all the praise for the 

 strides he has made, not only as compared with past methods in this 

 State but with present methods in other countries, it must be admitted 

 that there is still much to learn. In the Northern areas and to some extent 

 in the South, the full use of the land can only be made by means of 

 irrigation. Experimental farms and plots conducted under Government 

 supervision are urgently needed for the investigation of all agricultural 

 problems. The experts attached to the Department of Agriculture have 

 then a chance to demonstrate the practicability of their own ideas and 

 proposals as well as to investigate suggestions of others. The Agricultural 

 Colleges and Schools cannot efiiciently carry out such work and at the same 

 time successfully perform their own particular functions. In short the 

 establishment of farms for enquiries undei practical working conditions 

 into new methods of agriculture are essential to maintain our present high 

 position in production and to take the fullest advantage of great natural 

 resources. It must, however, be remembered that as Rome was not built 

 in a day neither can reliable results be obtained at once in experimental 

 work. Whether in the field, in the cultivation paddock, or in the stalls, 

 results must necessarily be subject to frequent revision and alteration; 

 the factors of_ soils, seasons, and markets being so variable that long 

 series of experiments giving average results are called for. 



It is now time, however, to return to our immediate subject, the 

 Government Farm at Wyima. An area of 540 acres including the Home- 

 stead block and one adjoining on the west — allotments 3 and 6, section 



