66 J. H. MAIDEN, 
special bearing on the subject might be collated by themselves. 
Of course in dealing with this subject the indigenous plants are, 
on the whole, of inferior importance to exotic ones. The crops 
we raise are practically all exotics; at the same time we must 
never lose sight of the possibilities of our indigenous fodder-plants, 
for instance. The character of the indigenous vegetation is a 
valuable guide to the agriculturist who desires to break up fresh 
soil, therefore a botanical survey should be in a position to furnish 
him with the information. Not that any sensible man would 
buy land without looking at it previously; at the same time a 
farmer is usually a poor man, and, whether he is or not, we should 
endeavour to supply all information which will facilitate settle- 
ment. The Department of Agriculture is already in possession of 
a vast amount of information in regard to the suitability or other- 
wise, of different districts and small areas, for the cultivation of 
various plants,—an Agricultural Survey would systematise such 
information and render it more readily available to the public. 
The establishment by the department of model farms in different 
parts of the colony, will, besides teaching improved methods of 
farming, furnish the colony with many of the suerte data 
requisite for a complete agricultural survey. 
The survey will also take cognizance of weeds, of the areas 
affected by the noxious species, of the spread of such plants, of 
various methods for weed-eradication and their results, and all 
matters which will assist in the framing of laws and regulations 
for coping with these pests. 
The Botanical Survey should be in intimate touch with the 
Geological Survey, as we require to know, amongst other things, 
the character of soils and sub-soils, and various matters connected 
with the retentiveness of the soil for water, natura! water-supplies 
etc. This information will supplement that of the Chemist of the 
Department of Agriculture on the chemistry and physical pro- 
perties of soils. As regards the desirability of co-operation with 
the Entomologists . ~ aan I svat ay sed state = case to 
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