TO OUR READERS. 
To all those who have the welfare of Queensland at heart, and who 
therefore watch with interest the industrial progress of the colony, it must be 
a subject of the greatest gratification to note the steady advance of the 
agricultural interests thronghout almost the whole of this vast and fertile 
territory. 
A retrospect of the operations of the settlers in the agricultural 
and grazing districts during the past decade, and especially during the latter 
half thereof, must convince even the most sceptical and most pessimistic 
amongst our community that the tillers of the soil, and all who gain their 
living by industries connected directly and indirectly with farming and grazing, 
have at last awakened to an intelligent sense of the magnificent inheritance 
which is theirs in the soil, the forests, the plains, and the climate of this gem 
of the Australian colonies, this vast country with its illimitable resources, so 
long lying dormant, so long awaiting the advent of those who to-day are bring- 
ing all their energies to bear on developing these resources, and who have 
already succeeded in showing that the plough and the voice and the pen of the 
scientist are mighty levers which are operating to bring the great agricultural 
industries of Queensland to the front, and are making them what they should — 
be—the most important and wealth-producing of all our industries. : 
It has ever been the aim of the Agricultural Department of Queensland to — 
afford every possible aid to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In times past, with the limited resources at the command of those | 
entrusted with the working of the Department, much was accomplished in the | 
way of importing new varieties of fruits, cereals, seeds, plants, implements, &c., 
and by the publication of useful pamphlets bearing on matters of interest to 
farmers and fruit-growers. ‘These were widely distributed, and effected their 
purpose fairly well. dee 
But it remained for the Government to recognise the great importance of 
the industry, «nd to set practically to work to raise it toa high standard of 
efficiency. Experts have been engaged to carry their technical and practical 
knowledge to the very doors of the settlers. ‘Uhus all agricultural interests 
are being promoted and fostered by practical instruction from men of high 
attainments in their several vocations, and by the establishment of an’ 
Agriculturai College and Experimental Farms from which it will, it is hoped, — 
be found that much interesting and practical information will be periodically 
distributed throughout the colony. These institutions, especially the College, 
will to a great extent practically settle the question how to make country life 
attractive to the youth of the colony. 
_ In order still further to assist the agriculturists, it has been determined 
by the Minister for Agriculture to issue this Journal, which will supersede the 
late spasmodic publication of special Bulletins. 
Essentially of a utilitarian character, the Queensland Agricultural Journal 
_ will be devoted mainly to the publication and wide dissemination of articles of 
a popular educatory nature. It is not intended that it shall take the place of 
an agricultural newspaper, nor that it shall in any way interfere with the 
peculiar work of such journals. 
This first number will afford a fair idea of the nature and partly of the 
scope of the publication, which will be issued on the first day of each month, 
and will be posted gratis to the addresses of members of agricultuzal, pastoral, 
and kindred societies. - 
