The following table shows the number of live stock in the Commonwealth at 
decennial periods since 1860, from which date fairly complete figures are avail” 
able, and for 1916:— 
Numbers or Live stock IN ComMMONWEALTH. 
staan naa acacia areca erie liaise 
Year. Horses, Cattle. Sheep. Pigs. 
i860 ay Bey 431,525 3,957,915 20,135,286 351,096 
1870 “a ay 716,772 4,276,326 41,593,612 543,388 
1880 Ay rey 1,061,078 7,523,000 62,176,027 $15,776 
1890 eat tee 1,521,588 1€,299, 913. 97,881,221 891,138 
1900 ner Hi 1,609,654 8,640,225 70,602,995, 950,349 
1910 si ee 2,165,866 11,744,714 92,047,015 1,025,850 
1916 a v7 2,437,157 10,459,237 76,668, 604 1,006,763 | 
! 7 
Within the period, horses and pigs show a fairly steady increase—the latter, 
however, scarcely belong to pastoral farming in the ordinary sense. Of chie 
importance are the data concerning sheep and cattle. Both classes of stock natu-_ 
rally show large increases over the whole period, but the numbers have been 
subject to considerable fluctuation in later years, chiefly owing to droughts. Gene” 
rally speaking, it may be said that the year 1890 registered high-water mark 1 
numbers of live stock under initial methods of pastoral farming. Up till that 
year larger areas of suitable lands had been gradually brought under the care of 
the pastoralist, and the numbers of live stock had correspondingly increased. Bub 
the fluctuating decline in cattle, and more particularly in sheep, during the last 
twenty-six years, shows that the original source of increment has been exhausted: 
The limit of production under the older extensive methods has been reached, of 
nearly reached; the best grazing lands are already in occupation, and it is evident, 
therefore, that if we are to further increase or even maintain our stock-carrying | 
capacity, recourse’ must now be made to more scientific methods and more intel! 
sive systems of management. 
1 
In its various phases the pastoral industry presents many important problema 
for investigation. These cover a wide field, and may be arranged under six 
headings, viz., problems concerning— 
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1. Soils and manures. . 
2. Seeds and herbage. 
3. Food requirements of stock. 
4. Breeds and breeding of stock. 
5. Control of pests and diseases. 
6. Storage and marketing of produce. 
It is possible here to mention only some of the many important points awaiting © 
attention under the above headings. : 
Soms AND MANURES. 
Classification and study of soils according to climatic environment, physical 
properties, and chemical composition, more especially in regard to phosphates and 
carbonate of lime. Investigation of poor returns from certain lands, ameliorative | 
treatments, especially by liming, manuring, cultivation, and drainage. The 
restrictive action of specific forest vegetation on pastoral vegetation; plant toxins. 
The utilization of native phosphates, lime, potash, artificial nitrogen fertilizers, | 
and accurate financial records of their continued use. 
SEEDS AND HERBAGE. 
Identification, classification, description, and habits of indigenous and exotl¢ 
pasture plants. Search for new species in foreign lands; acclimatization work: | 
Formation, maintenance, and renovation of pastures; effect of over-stocking, and 
treatment upon hotanical composition of pastures. Weeds, poison plants, and 
their eradication. 
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