AGRICULTURE. 



107 



In forestry iiiueli lias bt-cn done, Ly planting and tliinninfr, to improve 

 tlie natural forests, a most important matter to tlio farmer, in etiualisiuf^ 

 the How of rivers and givino- protection from the strong, hot, drying 

 winds frequently prevalent. The establishment of shelter belts of useful 

 trees, and new timber-producing areas, must come about in the future. 

 At Booral, on the Hunter River, a plantation of mulberry trees is in tho 

 hands of an expert appointed to encourage silk production. 



The Agricultural tSociL'ties, subsidised by (lovernmcnt, liiive done 

 good work in stimulating rivalry, and encouraging the breeding of 

 good stock, and the raising of first-class products. Conferences aro 

 periodically held for general discussion in matters relating to farming, 

 orchard, and' related industries. 



A travelling dairy for some years conveyed to dairymen the most 

 approved methods of l)utter and cheese making. National prizes have 

 been freely offered, and avv'arded, for the best farms, orchards, pro- 

 ducts, or new implements ; to encourage such a system of cultivation 

 as will give best results, and improve the general standard of crops, 

 stock, and holdings alike. This object is being assisted by an eifort 

 noAv being made to secure correct names for our chief products ; when 

 we know what we are growing, growers can be advised what to discard 

 as poor and useless, and every eifort made to induce the growth of 

 varieties suitable both for home consumption and export. 



Suchj in outline, is the important work initiated for an excellent 

 piirpose. Distinct benefit has undoubtedly been derived from the 

 work already done ; there may be seen in agricultural circles, by such 

 as are interested, an awakening to the fact that scientific knowledge 

 applied to agriculture enables growers the better to meet those, often, 

 enormous difficulties found in variable seasons, insect and fungus pests, 

 commercial depression, and such influences as, in the past, have kept 

 cultivators from realising the maximum of return from a minimum of 

 labour. 



It should not be forgotten that, under the Minister for Education, 

 instruction is given in agriculture at the Technical College, Sydney, 

 with such practical lessons as circumstances permit. 



Tlie Land. 



Total area fit for occupation, about 100,000,000 acres; of tbis, 22 

 per cent, is alienated, held by 54,428 owners. The best land is said 

 to have been already taken up ; in the past, however, position with 

 regard to water was the first consideration. There is plenty of good 

 land suitable for cultivation if water were only availaljle. With 

 regard to conservation of water, surveys are being made throughout 

 the districts most requiring it, for the purpose of _ framing a feasible 

 scheme ; when water is extensively conserved, millions of acres^of the 

 interior will be yielding crops second to none in the world. Several 

 irrigation colonies have already been commenced, with great prospect 

 of success ; already 40,000 acres are irrigated by private enterprise.^ 



Most of the available land requires clearing; this costs from los. 

 per acre in sparsely timbered country, up to £oO in the dense forests 

 of the northern districts ; various labour-saving appliances have been 

 introduced for pulling down trees and extracting stumps. 



