AGRICULTURE. 



105 



being' made witli varying success. Ju 1791 there were 7U0 acres 

 under cultivation ; in 1792, 1,100 under crop, and IGI cleared. In 

 1795 Governor Hunter established successful farms on the llawkes- 

 bury, 30 miles from Sydney, wheat and maize being the chief crops. 

 In 1800, 7,(377 acres were under cultivation; in 1821, ;)2,2(i7 ; in 

 1877, 513,840; in 1887, 975,471. For many years agriculture was 

 confined to the coastal zone and tableland. To-day over 2,000/J(J() 

 acres are under agricultural operations in all parts of the Colony ; 

 only about 0^7 per cent, of the total area of New South AValos being, 

 however, actually devoted to the growth of agricultural produce. At 

 present cultivation is secondary to stock-breeding. There is plenty of 

 good, though variable, land; whilst the crop yields are large when com- 

 pared with those of other countries. Communication with the central 

 market, difficult in the past, is improving yeai-ly ; and there has been 

 a steady increase in the surface cleared for future use. 



Estahlishment of the Department of Ayn'cuUure. 



A new era dawned for agriculture in New South "Wales when, in 

 February, 1890, a Dej^artment of Agriculture was established under 

 Hon. Sydney Smith, M.L.A. ; a Director was appointed, and im- 

 mediate steps were taken to organise and get into working order a 

 comprehensive scheme of agricultural education, based on the best 

 points in the systems in vogue in Great Britain, Germany, and the 

 United States. Since 1890 operations have gradually extended ; the 

 main objects in view being — • 



1. Dissemination of such information as will be likely to benefit 



growers, looking to the position and needs of the different 

 districts. 



2. Introduction of new useful crop plants. 



3. Investigation of crop diseases, and recommendation of suitable 



measures for relief. 



4. Formation of a museum of agricultural products and a library 



concerning the industry. 



5. To educate farmers by lectures, demonstrations, and experi- 



mental farms. 

 G. To educate young agriculturists in the sciences related to, and 

 the practice of, the art ; by establishment of farm schools and 

 a central College. 



7. To encourage growth of imported products so as to enable us 



to supply our own wants. 



8. To endeavour to show how to grow good products, and bc'^t 



prepare them for the market. 



9. To assist in opening up new markets. 



To carry out this programme various experts have been appointed, 

 who advise when required as to the best methods of procedure. An 

 official organ, The Agricultural Gazette, containing articles dealing 

 with every branch of agriculture, is published monthly, bringing the 

 Department into touch with growei'S ; manuals, dealing with dairying, 

 forage plants, grasses, and bulletins on various cognate subjects, have 

 been published and distributed freely. 



