138 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 March, 1917. 



Inter-State reputatiou. The thought had struck him that if the lec- 

 turers' precepts were followed, and we increased our yield by several 

 bushels ,per acre by seed selection, a few more by proper fallowing, a 

 few more by scientific manuring, then Germany's 30 bushels per acre 

 would ultimately be reached. The weakness of the farm school was that 

 too much had to be crammed into the limited time. In future years 

 there might be several similar schools held ; one for dairying, one for 

 wheat growing, one for irrigation, and so on. Touching on the appa- 

 i-ent failure of the Agricultural High Schools, he pointed out that every 

 progressive country had passed through a similar experience, and no 

 doubt our failure was more apparent than real. For 40 years the 

 Agricultural Schools of the United States had battled against adversity, 

 but during the last twelve years had met with dazzling success, and it 

 was confidently trusted that the same success would ultimately att-end 

 the efforts being made here. 



THE SOCIAL SIDE. 



The evenings were spent both pleasantly and profitably. On Mondav 

 evening Mr. Frank Tate, M.A., Director of Education, accompanied by 

 Professor Laby, of the Melbourne University, and Dr. Cameron, Direc- 

 tor of Agriculture, came down and gave the class a rare treat. Mr. 

 Tate's address on Shakespeare's " As You Like It," given in his own 

 inimitable way, was a revelation of scholarly interpretation, which both 

 amazed and amused his audience. It was an hour and a half of un- 

 alloyed pleasure, such as is but seldom es.perienced, and was appreciated 

 accordingly. 



On Tuesday evening Mr. Gates, Inspector of Schools, gave an illus- 

 trated lecture on " Tour Planning," dealing largely with the social 

 side of life, and his remarks were recognised as highly interesting and 

 instructive. 



Wednesday evening was occupied by Mr. W. A. N. Robertson, 

 B.V.Sc, Chief Veterinary Officer, in an illustrated lecture on " First 

 Aid to Animals," which, although not intended as a social effort, was 

 equally entertaining, if judged by the time the audience insisted on 

 keeping Mr. Robertson at his " turn." 



The teachers attending were throughout a happy family, and on 

 Thursday evening they organized a social evening, on which occasion 

 the local residents were invited. A capital concert was arranged, some 

 excellent items being given, and a collection taken up in aid of the 

 Red Cross realized a handsome sum. 



On the last day of the class the Water Supply Commissioner gener- 

 ously sent two chars-a-banc to convey the students round the Werribee 

 settlement, a vei-y interesting trip resulting. The party was in the 

 hands of Mr. iHorsfield, of the Water Supply Department, and stops 

 were made at points of interest, where the working of the Dethbridge 

 water meter was explained, and the system of grading and irrigation 

 observed. 



This was the first time many of the teachers had been afforded an 

 opportunity of coming into close touch with an irrigation settlement, 

 and to tliem the prosperous condition of the Werribee Farm was most 

 informative. 



T.A.J.S. 

 H.A.M. 



