ee 
40 
Mr. R. Hoagay then gave notice of proposed resolutions of the Recom- 
mendations Committee— 
“1. That this Conference supports the recommendations recently made in 
England to the Imperial authorities by Mr. Jager and others in reference to 
the advisability of admitting tea, coffee, and cocoa into Great Britain free, and 
the imposition on foreign beet sugar of a duty equivalent to the amount of 
reyenue now obtained from the tax on tea, coffee, and cocoa. 
“2. That this Conference is of opinion that such a course of action on the 
part of the Home Government would be a distinct gain to Queensland and the 
other tropical and sub-tropical Lritish colonies, and a step towards Imperial 
federation; and it would therefore recommend that this motion be eabled by 
our Government to Sir Hugh Nelson, to be placed before Mr. Chamberlain. 
“3. That this Conference recommends the passing of a Drainage Act for 
allowing reasonable rights to owners and occupiers of land for taking their 
surplus water through adjoining properties; and also recommends to the 
various associations here represented the consideration of the question of 
extensive co-operative drainage with a view of approaching the Agricultural 
Department for the purpose of obtaining State assistance for the execution of 
such work.” 
On the motion of Mr. Noakes, the committee were also requested to bring 
up a resolution with regard to the inspection of pigs for human consumption. 
Mr. T. Wurreney asked the Chairman if it was intended to distribute 
any of the Department’s Ayrshire bulls in the Central district ? 
In reply, Mr. Tuynne said that at present it was not thought advisable 
to send any of the animals in question to districts where they were liable to 
be attacked by ticks, until such time as bulls could be sent that were immune 
against the disease. As soon as this could be done the matter would be 
attended to. 
The Conference then adjourned to the agricultural implement shed, 
where Professor Shelton delivered an informal lecture on 
FPARM IMPLEMENTS. 
Professor Sur.ton explained the various implements in the shed. Among 
these was a subsoil plough which could be purchased for abont £4. It was, 
however, one that any blacksmith could make. It only required two horses. 
The next was a Yankee stirring plough. This was an excellent soil pulveriser, 
and was one that would probably be good for turning in green manure. It 
was chiefly useful for land with a heavy subsoil. He would not specially 
recommend it for red soil, as that land is generally sufficiently friable. A 
machine for cultivating corn was explained. In certain States of America 
maize was the great crop, and one could ride for hundreds of miles and see on 
either side of him, as far as the eye could reach, nothing but fields of this 
cereal. The key to corn-growing in that country was the “corn marker.” 
By its use they marked 11 acres a day, got ahead of weeds, and got straight 
lines. It was no use trying to raise corn cheaply unless they had straight 
lines. The seed could either be planted in drills or by the ‘‘ check row” 
system. In the drilis the larger yield was obtained, but under the check row 
the Jand could be cultivated more cheaply. The extra yield in favour of the 
drill system was averaged at about 8 bushels per acre. Tho lister was 
simply a double mould-board plough, which threw the earth left and right. 
About 6 acres a day could be managed with this implement, the ploughing, 
planting, and covering all being done in one operation. This plough was also 
provided with a subsoiler. Sulky listers could be obtained which did the same 
work, with the man driving. The lister in the States costs about £6. 
Farmers getting their tools direct from America should get them from New 
York, and have them sent out by sailing vessel. This took longer than when 
they were sent out by steamer from San Francisco, but it was far cheaper. 
Maize planted by the lister would stand drought better than when planted any 
