es ; nn A . eet , : 
solution of some poison, but this Mr. Lely thought unnecessary, as it was in- 
the soil the grubs were found. Vrequent stirring of the ground, however, had — 
a good effect in killing this pest. In conclusion, Mr. Lely referred to Mr. 
- Tryon’s pamphlet on grubs, and stated that some of the recommendations for the 
combatting of the pest therein advocated—namely, the systematic collection of 
the beetles and the destruction of the foliage harbouring them, coming from 
such a reliable authority as Mr. Tryon, had considerably strengthened the 
ie hands of those planters who had been hitherto adopting these methods.. 
ie Mr. Hoacay mentioned Pyrethrum as a plant which might be tried in 
coping with insect pests. It was the basis of most insect powders, and it was 
said that wherever it was growing there was no insect life. : 
Mr. Bourke also contributed to the discussion on Mr. Lely’s remarks. 
Mr. Tuynye pointed out that Mr. Lely had painted only the darker side 
of sugar-growing. He did not know, however, of any branch of agriculture in 
any part of the world which did not have its difficulties to contend with. In 
any event, if the agriculturists of any country were for a number of years in a 
position to carry on their calling without difficulties, they would soon have 
little grit and sustaining power left among them. It was difficulties that made 
; men of them. They sympathised deeply with the Northern farmers in their 
ais troubles, but that sympathy was due because they knew in every part of the 
country the farmers had obstacles to overcome, perhaps not always of the same 
character, but equally puzzling and trying in connection with all our agricultural 
industries. Mr. Lely’s address had, however, given and elicited much useful 
“ information; and he trusted that the Department’s own experiments, the 
an results of which would be published. periodically, would be able to relieve 
Be many of the difficulties their friends in the sugar-growing districts had to 
contend with. : ' 
Mr. A. Warr (Beenleigh) then read his paper on— 
SUB-DRAINAGE. 
Suprosrye an irrigation and a general drainage scheme adopted by Parlia- 
ment, and the farmers to be told that they could not have both at once, but to 
choose which they would have first, would not they choose the drainage scheme P 
T think so. It seems yery strange, in a climate such as ours—so liable to 
drought—that we hear so little about sub-drainage. The wonderful improve- 
ments which have been brought about by sub-draining in the old countries, in 
the easier working of the soil, in the retention of heat and moisture, and in 
increased yield, are evident to all experienced agriculturists. We are told that 
at the experimental farms in the south the soil retains moisture through the 
, surface being kept loose. Every practical farmer knows that a loose surface 
ay makes a good mulch, but unless the land has natural drainage through a porous 
subsoil, or through one artificially drained, it will in a drought set hard and 
haye but little loose surface. On the banks of our rivers and creeks we find, 
as a rule, deep porous soils, which, with frequent stirring with implement or 
hoe, will retain the moisture during a considerable drought, as will also the 
deep chocolate forest soils if kept frequently moved, but when the sub-_ 
soil is a retentive clay it is a different matter. Now, we have consider- 
able areas of good black soil, overlaying an impervious clay—what in 
yay Scotland would be called good wheat land—but owing to the clay snb- 
ec soil the surface becomes waterlogged; the water, instead of sinking, 
evaporates slowly by the surface, and, especially in hot weather, fermentation 
sets in, sours the soil, it bakes and cracks in dry weather, and vegetation 
becomes miserable. Such land will stand neither drought nor wet; but drain 
it, and by the intelligent application of lime and good cultivation, that land 
will become mellow, free, and durable. he drains on the latter class of soil 
should not be more than 18 feet apart and 23 to 8 feet in depth. Should the 
clay be within plough-furrow of the surface, the lesser depth will act best. 
Depth depends upon the nature of the subsoil and the outlet, but the further 
they are apart the deeper they should be, to draw the superabundant water 
