PERSONAL. 
Personal. 
DR. S. S. CAMERON. 
_ Australia is apt to pride herself upon her rich agricultural posses- 
sions. With the exception of isolated individual instances, however, 
her resources are not being fully exploited, and development is slow. 
There have been some noteworthy instances where production has been 
increased by the efforts of the plant-breeder, and slightly more numerous 
are the examples of the beneficial influences which stock-breeders have 
exerted. A high level of general farming has also been attained by 
the few. It is these few departures from the general practice, however, 
which emphasize the prevailing low standard. Several explanations 
might be given to account for our slow progress, but probably one of 
the most important factors that has operated has been the lack 
of encouragement given to the scientist. 
Tf it is true that the path of the agriculturist is a difficult one, it is 
equally true that the path of the agricultural scientist is no less easy. 
When the late Mr. William Farrer, after having exhausted his con- 
siderable private means upon the investigation of rust in wheat, was 
eventually permitted to continue his experiments under Government 
subsidy, he was expected to show “ results” weekly. He was given a 
_beggarly pittance of £300 a year, and the work which he was able to 
accomplish has been worth many millions of pounds sterling to the 
‘Commonwealth. Since those days, agricultural scientists have received 
more tolerance, although as a rule their rate of remuneration has under- 
gone no appreciable change. The distrust and suspicion with which 
the scientist was viewed is gradually being lessened, but he is still 
expected to perform miracles of quick development and sudden trans- 
formation, rather than bring about a gradual improvement of farm 
practice. - 
Governments of recent years have given closer consideration to the 
development of primary industries, and the State Departments of Agri- 
culture are assuming a greater importance. Those who are familiar 
with their work will regard the funds allotted them as money well spent. 
More and more the work of the departmental scientist is being reflected 
in the quicker progress of one or other branch of agriculture, and he is 
entitled to much of the credit for any progress that is made. 
Tn the development which has taken place in Victorian agriculture 
within the last ten years, the scientific staff of the Department of Agri- 
culture has played an important part. Since 1909, in wheat-growing 
alone, there has been an increase of over 4 bushels per acre to the average 
yield when compared with the previous decade. rom 81 to 124 bushels 
is a substantial difference, and the seasons cannot be held responsible. 
The decrease in stock mortality from preventable disease is another 
highly satisfactory result, and has saved the country many times over 
the salaries which the scientists responsible for the system of herd 
examination were successful in establishing. . 
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