quantities of machinery, a large amount of which becomes useless and un- 
saleable by going out of fashion. But the loss on this old stock finally comes 
back on the agriculturist, and he could, by combining and by using a little 
business forethought, get his machinery at a much less cost than at present. 
speak of this because I think the time has come when there ought to be a 
better spirit of mutual help and co-operation among the different farmers. I 
give you this as an illustration of one of the directions in which combination 
would be of very great benefit. 
There is a third subject. But, first of all, I would like to express the 
satisfaction with which we have seen the returns which were received in respect 
of our last shipment of butter from this colony to England. J think we have’ 
very great reason to be proud of the result of that shipment. I hope the fact 
that we have succeeded in getting such a high price for our butter will 
encourage us to endeavour to go onand keep up the supply in future. We 
- cannot, however, hope to successfully compete with other countries until we 
~ make up our minds to avail ourselyes of the economy and improvements with 
which they have been working, and one of the first of these is the selection of 
suitable dairy cattle. I know that what I am now going to speak of is a 
debatable subject among stock-raisers; but probably a greater blunder cannot 
be made by our farmers—and it is one that is being continually made--than 
that of using crossbred or mongrel bulls. I remember at a Queensland show, 
telling the people that I had seen cattle exhibited under description of breeds 
which [ could not recognise in the slightest way as belonging to those breeds. 
In fact, wherever you go in this country you will find in shows animals entered 
which have no right to be competing in the classes where they appear. You 
see crossbreds, and you know that from crossbreds you can never count upon 
anything like certainty in their progeny. J have seen upon farms, animals the 
owners of which were proud to have at the head of their herds—animals which 
ought not to be allowed to exist at all. In truth, until there is some combina- 
tion among the dairy farmers of this country, and a determination on their part 
to improve the breed of cattle, the colony can never be able to take that posi- 
tion in the export of dairy produce to which it is entitled. This reminds me of 
the small herd of pure-bred Ayrshire cattle which have just been introduced 
for the use of the College, and of the pure-bred Ayrshire bulls which have also 
been imported from Victoria for disposal among our principal dairying districts 
by competition for the best exhibits of dairy cattle, under test. 1 may explain 
why this particular breed was selected for this purpose. Of course, the Jersey, 
Ayrshire, and Holstein have proved themselves three of the most valuable 
dairying breeds for Australia. The milking strain of the Shorthorn, I know, is 
adyocated by many. However, I think I shall be borne out when I say that by 
crossing Jersey bulls with ordinary cows you do not improve the quantity of » 
the milk, but you improve the quality very materially. ‘This at least has been” 
_ my experience ; and so it occurred to me that the best line to go upon first was 
the introduction of a breed which was well known for its large milking qualities. 
This, I thought, would be best effected by the use of Ayrshires. When we 
have increased the yield of milk in our cows, we can perhaps think of improving 
its quality by the use of another breed. 
T have mentioned a few of the subjects in which farmers can materially 
help themselves. The instruction, however, will not be all from one side, and 
one of the great hopes I have from this Conference, from the discussions that 
will ensue, and from the views that will be expressed, is that not only myself, 
put the country generally, may learn in what direction the agricultural thought 
is trending, and what assistance can be granted to it. So far as the Parliament 
and Government are concerned, I believe there is a sincere and hearty desire 
to do everything that can be done to promote the agricultural interest. It has 
fallen upon me to hold the’ active administration of the Agricultural 
Department, and in this to give action to the wishes of Parhament and | 
Government, and I hope that from this Conference we will be able to get the 
material by which further to promote the interests of agriculture. I feel sure 
