752 Journal of Agriculture. Victoria. [10 Dec, 1917. 



(2) The systematic testing of these introduced plants in co-opera- 



tion witli State experiment farms. 



(3) The systematic recording of the results of such tests. 



J. That this Conference recommends that each State Department 

 ^if Agriculture should continue or initiate the work of improvement and 

 <!election of its cultivated ci-ops as part of its regular work, and that 

 such work of improvement be on uniform lines in all the States. 



4. That the rust in cereals, particularly black rust in wlieat, which 

 is common in all the States, and in some seasons largely reduces the 

 yields, be made the subject of a special investigation in connexion with 

 plant breeding. " 



5. That the Executive Committee of the Advisory Council be asked 

 to arrange for an annual meeting of plant-breeders from the different 

 States with a view to co-ordinating their work and arriving at a uniform 

 policy without interfering with individual methods, the meeting to 

 be fixed at a convenient season of the year (July"). 



rj. That this Conference recommends the establishment of an organi- 

 zation to deal with the collection, propagation, improvement, and culti- 

 vation in suitable areas of the most promising indigenous grasses and 

 fodder plants. 



7. That this Conference recommends to the Advisory Council of 

 Science and Industry the advisability of closely investigating the tobacco 

 industry in Australia, botli in the interests of the producer and with a 

 view to retaining locally the profits of manufacture. 



8. That in view of the high prices ruling for fibre products and the 

 desirability of making Australia self-contained in the production of 

 fibre, the Conference recommends the Advisory Council of Science and 

 Industry to make a thorough investigation into the possibilities of fibre 

 cultivation in Australia, particularly flax and sisal hemp, and the possi- 

 bilities of producing these fibres for local manufacture or for export. 



9. That the Advisory Council of Science and Industry be asked to 

 ascertain whether the British Government would be prepared to 

 purchase dew-rotted flax fibre from Australia in 1919; and, if so, what 

 quantities and at what price f.o.b. 



10. The Conference is of opinion that tlie jn-ospect of commercial 

 production of power alcohol from certain crops is promising, and 

 suggests that special experiments shuld be arranged by the Advisory 

 Council of Science and Industry to determine the actual yields of alcohol 

 obtainable from these crops, including sorghums in various stages of 

 development. 



11. That this Conference welcomes (lie proposal of the Advisory 

 Council to investigate the utilization of Australian phosphates, and 

 suggests that this investigation should include maniirial trials, particu- 

 larly on pasture lands, in those of the States which possess such 

 phosphates. 



12. That in view of the need for a supply of scientific investigators 

 into agricultural and pastoral problems, the Advisory Council of Science 

 and Industry be requested to direct tlie attention of the various Aus- 

 tralian Universities to the subject. 



13. In view of the prominent position occupied by the United States 

 of America in scientific and practical agricnlture, and of the similarity 

 of the climatic and economic conditions of that country to those of Aus- 

 tralia, this Conference recommends the early appointment of a per- 



