PERSONAL. 
even greater benefits may be expected in the course of years from an ex- 
haustive inquiry into physical and biological problems affecting cultural 
Operations. Mr. Richardson has included in his scheme the improvement 
by selection, stud breeding, and hybridization of wheat, barley, oats, and 
other economic plants; investigation into soil renovation, fertilizing, 
and tillage methods; rotation of crops and improved cropping practices; 
irrigation investigations; improvement of natural pastures, and trials 
of artificial grassing with exotic and native grasses, and many other 
lines of inquiry. 
_ The substantial advance made in the average yields per acre of wheat 
in Victoria during the past ten years is one of the results of active 
educational and propaganda work by the Department of Agriculture, 
and has returned an infinitely larger sum to the State than the State has 
Spent upon agricultural science. About ten years ago the quantity of 
chemical fertilizers applied per acre was about one-half of the present 
day application, and this increase has been brought about largely by 
demonstration on Government farm plots, and on private farms whose 
Owners were induced to assist in an educational movement for the imme- 
diate benefit of the surrounding districts. Not only has the grain yield 
_ been largely increased by this more generous treatment, but an addi- 
tional advantage has come to the farmer by the subsequent improvement 
of his pastures, and an increased stock-carrying capacity. 
In 1918 Mr. Richardson visited the United States of America on 
behalf of the Victorian Government, and his report upon his inquiries 
has done much to stimulate interest in Australia in the subject of agri- 
cultural education and development. Acting upon his recommendation, 
the Government last session gave statutory authority for the appropria- 
tion of £10,000 per annum for the next ten years to be spent upon 
agricultural education and research. ‘The future of Australia as an 
agricultural country depends upon the extent to which she can use 
trained specialists to increase crop production ” is the doctrine which he 
Preaches, Mr. Richardson, who is a member of the Executive Committee 
of the Institute of Science and Industry, has always taken the keenest 
Interest in its work. “The Commonwealth Government,” he states, 
van largely assist the agricultural development of the States by the 
Systematic investigation and introduction of plants, and testing them 
Over a wide range of soil and climate, and by the establishment of 
bureaux for animal diseases and plant pathology.” 
125 
