110 Journal of Agrieuhiire, Victoria. [10 Feb., 1917. 



connexion, flax, tobacco, and sugar beet may be mentioned. It is ad- 

 mitted that our soils are eminently suited for these products, but 

 hitherto labour difficulties have been the chief cause of their non-success. 

 Tariff adjustmeufo, or the adoption of adequate bonuses are probably 

 the best way to firmly establish these industries, as it has been amply 

 demcyistrated that the soils and climate iu various parts of Victoria 

 are quite suitable for the growth of such crops to perfection. 



General Increase in Efficiency. 



A general increase in efficiency is urgently required iu all branches 

 of primary production. Our average wheat yield could certainly be 

 raised to 20 bushels per acre in favorable seasons, and we could at least 

 secure a 16-bushei average over a ten-year period if all the resources of 

 production were fully and properly used. 



By systematic effort, by adequate feeding and herd testing, the 

 average yield of the cows of Victoria could be raised by at least 40 to 50 

 per cent. A change is gradually coming over our farming community, 

 and finding expression in the desire for more technical knowledge, greater 

 interest shown by farmers in experimental work, a keener appreciation 

 ot agricultural literature, and an eagerness to secure the most up-to- 

 date and efficient farm implements. 



Lack of capital is an important factor in retarding agricultural jjro- 

 gress. The difference between the successful and unsuccessful wheat- 

 grower is frequently due to the superior technical agricultural knowledge 

 of the former, but is often due to the want of capital crippling enter- 

 prise on the part of the unsuccessful grower. 



With capital available for the development of the farm, and increased 

 technical agricultural knowledge, the agricultural future of Victoria is 

 assured. 



IMPROVEMENT OF WHEAT AND OTHER CROPS BY 

 SEED SELECTION. 



The Agricultural Department and others in various parts of the 

 world have demonstrated that, without doubt, very considerable im- 

 provement can be made in the quality and yield of many of our staple 

 crops by the adoption of a system of seed selection, which could, and 

 should, be carried out over a period of years, and, in fact, indefinitely, 

 to attain the best possible results. 



Such systems are general in their application to live stock in the 

 building up of stud flocks, but little is done in this direction by the 

 individual grower of cereals and other crops. 



This may be due to the fact that no good and simple system has 

 been commonly known by which such improvement can be brought 

 about. 



At present the most up-to-date farmers grade their seed as a step 

 in this direction, but more is necessai-y. As seed is sown under present 

 conditions, inferior ,plants are given the same advantages as the better 

 plants, which as a rule are in the minority, consequently after a few 

 years the seed deteriorates, and a change is rendered necessary. An 



