25 Aprii., 1917.] Funnem. Win the War.' 231 



"Wlien the Federal Government guaranteed that (he farmer should 

 not get less than 4s. a bushel (and probably more) for all the wheal 

 he could produce, it accomplished something unparalleled in the agri- 

 cultural history of Australia; in a word, it put agriculture on the same 

 footing as any other business, insomuch as the market factor was made 

 definite. 



Again, every fanner in the wlieat area of this State knows that rain- 

 fall is normally the limiting factor in the growth of wheat; his whole 

 system of tillage is directed to conserving all available moisture; he is 

 willing to sacrifice the use of his ground every alternate year in order 

 that he may carry forward for the use of the next crop some of the 

 moisture that is saved. He strives by every means in his power to make 

 iiimself independent of the rainfall; if he could but eliminate the 

 climatic uncertainty he knows that all would be well. 



The past season has been remarkable for its abundant rainfall ; for 

 twenty or thirty years never has there been such a phenomenal and 

 continuous downpour. The summer has been notably cool and free 

 from hot and dry vdnds, and the conditions absolutely ideal for the 

 conservation of moisture. The long soaking rains have tlioroughly 



Awaiting Transport. 



replenished the subsoil, and never before has the farmer had such an 

 asset with which to begin his season's work. The second, or climatic, 

 factor in the agricultural business is, therefore, more favorable than it 

 has been for years; in sliort, the farmer is placed on a better business 

 footing than he ever was in our agricultural history. 



Therefore, for the two reasons given, the growing of wlieat this season 

 has the best outlook that it has had for years. It should be borne in 

 mind that the concurrence of the two conditions may never be repeated. 

 Xext year also the price should be all right, but will the moisture be 

 there ? 



In a country like Victoria — subject to uncertain seasons — no farmer 

 can afford to let this opportunity slip by. The producer, with his wheat 

 in the hands of the Pool, is free from any possible business manipulation 

 and from middleman's profit. He will receive every penny after the 

 cost of handling has been deducted, and the Pool, backed by the Govern- 

 ment of Australia, can get a better hearing with the Imperial Govern- 

 ment than any private firm could hope to obtain. 



In this year, 1917, then, with the eyes of the world directed to 

 .\nstralia and tilings Australian, are tlie farmers going to rise to the 



