r THE TASK AHEAD, 
Or let us consider that important work, the scientific breeding of 
plants and animals. It has been universally accepted that he who makes 
two blades of grass grow where one grew before deserves well of mankind. 
Apply this principle to agriculture, and consider it in reference to the 
cultivation of wheat. Farrer has proved what may be accomplished by 
selection of wheat and scientific hybridization. He has added millions 
sterling to the value of the annual production of Australia. But he 
confined his efforts to wheat only. What about maize, barley, oats, 
sugar cane, cotton? What about our native grasses? - What about our 
orchard trees? Let any one who has visited the average orchard recall 
the poor trees he has seen. A poor variety of, say, orange takes just as 
much out of the soil as the best does, and requires just as much cultiva- 
tion. Yet its product may not be worth one-half or even one-fourth 
“IT HAS REGARD TO THE INFINITELY SMALL.” RUST IN WHEAT 
GREATLY MAGNIFIED. 
as much. So with stock-breeding. Our flocks and herds are susceptible 
of immense improvement as soon as the benefits are fully recognised.” 
Consider what the sheep-breeders of Australia have already done; how 
they have added pounds per sheep to their average yield of , wool. 
Wonders still remain to be accomplished right throughout the whole 
world of live-stock. 
There is an entirely different set of problems, the solution of which 
cannot but bring credit to the Institute and benefit to the country. 
291 
