20 SCIENCE BULLETIN, No. 22. 



In the northern districts, while drought-resistance is of importance, it must be 

 combined with rust-resistance and capacity to withstand the storms which are frequently 

 experienced in this area. These qualities were combined to an exceptional degree by 

 Farrer in Bomen, which is rightly regarded by farmers in that part of the State as very 

 valuable. 



The Ro3^al Agricultural Society's competition for the best crop in the north-western 

 wheat district was won last year by a field of this variety. Under the climatic con- 

 ditions of last season the crops were subjected to a severe test in regard to rust and 

 storm resistance. 



While wheat-growing is not so important in the tablelands as in the western 

 districts, Farrer has not neglected the question of providing a suitable variety, and 

 experience has shown that for general excellence few, if any, wheats are so suitable for 

 these districts as Cleveland, Florence, and Genoa. 



Grain is not produced on the coast, but dairy-farmers in this part of the State are 

 keenly interested in wheats suitable for green feed. In the early days of the colony 

 wheat was grown in the coastal districts, but owing to ravages of rust its growth for 

 many years, even for green feed, was discontinued. With the advent of Farrer varieties 

 tests were made to determine whether wheat could not be grown for green feed, and the 

 result has been that some, particularly Thew, have proved extremely useful, and dairy- 

 farmers are now able to grow this crop successfully for feed during the winter and spring 

 months. 



COMMERCIAL VALUE OF FARRER WHEATS. 



Some notes under this heading are kindly supplied by Mr. G. W. Walker, 

 of Lindley Walker Co-operative Grain Co., Ltd., Sydney : 



The selection of a number of the best ears from an ordinary crop of wheat, and the 

 grading of the grain by sieves or other' machines in order to obtain the largest for use as 

 seed, has been practised by the most advanced agriculturists in all ages. Virgil says : 



" I've seen the largest seed, tho' viewed with care, 

 Degenerate, unless the industrious hands 

 Did yearly cull the largest." 



Science played but a small part in the above methods of selection, and the cold 

 calculating business mind paid slight attention to Farrer's early attempts at plant- 

 breeding. 



In the pioneering days of wheat cultivation in Australia, and practically up to 1890, 

 all the business mind knew about wheat varieties was that the entire crop was frequently 

 overtaken by rust. It was agreed that something would have to be done to combat the 

 rust scourge, which threatened the wheat industry. The growers throughout the wheat 

 States of Australia petitioned their respective Governments, and a conference of experts 

 was convened. This Rust-in-Wheat Conference had several yearly gatherings, and 

 the master mind of Farrer eventually dominated the proceedings. He practically 

 ploughed the furrow alone, and yet the practical application of his theories in a short 

 period of time revolutionised wheat-growing in this State and throughout Australia, and 

 in fact, the success of his work did much for wheat-growing throughout the whole 

 wheat world. 



The commercial value of his work would indeed be most difficult to assess, but prior 

 to his introduction of Bobs and Comeback, large importations of Manitoba flour were 

 necessary. The public taste is now content with bread made solely from Farrer wheats. 

 Not only is the Australian palate satisfied, but since the Farrer strain-* have figured 

 largely in our wheat exports the value per quarter of Australian wheat has increased, 

 and whereas, prior to Farrer's varieties, our wheat was sold at a discount of from 2s. to 

 3s. per quarter compared with the grain of other countries, it has, within the last ten 

 years, met the grain of exporting countries, and at times sold at a premium over all. It 

 would be modest to say that Farrer wheats have improved the selling value of our wheat 

 in the markets of the world by at least 2s. per quarter, or 3d. per bushel. 



Many Farrer wheats are now the favoured varieties on the Pacific Coast of the United 

 States. They are widely grown and very popular in Chili and Peru, and Queensland's 

 success in wheat-growing during the past two years is due almost entirely to the 

 universal growth of Florence. 



HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR is DUE. 



I am not prejudiced against hero worship, but if I were I would still say that every 

 man, woman, and child in the Commonwealth owes a debt to William Farrer. If every 

 flour-miller in Australia gave 10 10s., and every wheat-grower gave 1 Is., it would be 

 but the smallest token of gratitude to the work of Australia's greatest benefactor. 



