THE DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



67 



" 'The Parliament of the Commonwealth, Parliament House, 



Melborne, Jan. 13, 1909. 



"'My Dear Senator McColl: 



" 'Allow me to congratulate you upon your public spirited resolution 

 to attend the conference on dry farming, to which you have been invited 

 from the United States. I am sure that your constituents throughout 

 this state and, in fact, our agriculturists everywhere in Australia will 

 watch your mission and benefit by it. 



" 'When I visited America more than twenty years ago on a similar 

 errand it was solely for the study of irrigation development in the 

 West. Even then this was attracting general attention and has since 

 established itself as the most fruitful field of experiment in the tem- 

 perate zones of the world. 



Investigations Helpful. 



" 'You have already learned, as I did, how hospitable and gener- 

 ous our American friends are in laying their experience open to us. 

 Your previous investigation of their new methods of cultivation with 

 the lowest possible supplies of moisture, have already helped to put many 

 of our farmers on the right road. Nothing could be more valuable to 

 Australia than the knowledge the conference will collect. We want all 

 we can get, and we need it now. Had I continued to hold the reins of 

 government for two or three weeks longer you would have been ap- 

 pointed to represent the commonwealth at the conference in an official 

 capacity and probably have been accompanied by one or two experienced 

 farmers. As it is, you will represent us in fact, and your report will 

 obtain as much publicity as if you had been formally nominated com- 

 missioner. 



"With best wishes for the success of your tour, I am, 

 " 'Very truly yours 



" 'ALFRED DEAKIN.' 



"The other letter is from the Honorable W. T. Paget, Minister for 

 Agriculture and Stock in the State of Queensland: 



" 'Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane, Jan. 18, 1909. 

 "'Sirs: I have much pleasure in notifying you of the desire of this 

 department that you will, when attending the Dry Soil conference, obtain 

 for use here such literature and seeds that you may be able to secure, and 

 that you will have the goodness to mention to the conference the interest 

 that is being excited in Queensland concerning this system of cultiva- 

 tion introduced to Australia mainly through your endeavors. 



" 'I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



"'W. T. PAGET.' 



" 'Senator J. H. McColl, Bendigo.' " 



"Three years ago I was through here and met Mr. J. H. Gordon and 

 Dr. Cooke. I found them as I find all Americans, no matter what their 



