LSB or ee ae 
The reason which brought us to this point was the fact that rain did not co 
to give sufficient moisture to reach our drainage system; so that the facts were, land 
which was not drained, gave nearly as good results as the drained land. This statement — 
applies to 1895-6. ; / ; 
Only in February of last year did we see water in the drains for a whole yeat, — 
and only twice or three times in two years were the drains called upon to do duty. 
I may state that after a dry time, it will require 3 inches of rain to reach the 
drain-pipes, say, at a depth of 2 feet Ginches. We have arrived at the conclusion that 
the cost is too heavy for past results. i 
You must have a fair average rainfall to help the cane along ; indeed, sufficient to 
reach the pipes, they carrying off the surplus water. Then you will see results which 
would justify the cost of drainage—in the larger quantity of cane to the grower, Wi 
‘much less cost to keep the land clean; also higher percentage of sugar in the cane, 
so much so that the factory would soon increase the price paid for cane to the farmer. 
But, seeing that we have no power to bring the rain just to suit our needs, 
Providence has supplied us with abundance of water in the bowels of the earth andin 
many of our rivers, and this should be secured. i 
__ When a system of irrigation shall haye been introduced, just on the same 
principle which you now advocate, you may take my word for it our agricultura 
system will never be the success it should until drainage and irrigation go hand im 
hand. Then we may expect the full advantage of any manures that may be put into 
the land—best results when planting, from the sets springing away at once; hence less 
need to fill failures in plants, and so an even crop. : . 
All this can be arrived at by means of irrigation when the usual rainfall fails. I wish 
I could have given you better news respecting our drainage, but we have no fear but 
that rain will come in plenty again. ‘Then the drains will be all there to do the work 
of removing surplus water, and go allow the crops to give best results with the 
smallest minimum of cost. 
I am, dear sir, yours truly, 
ANGUS GIBSON. 
: . (Gibson and Howes.) 
The Secretary, Pioneer River Farmers’ Association, Mackay. 
Bundaberg, 20th March, 1897. 
Dear Srr,—Yonr letter of 20th ulto. duly received; and in reply to your inquity 
as to the appearance of the cane on the drained land, I may state that the cane looks 
splendid all over the drained land—i.c., green and healthy. We consider that the at 
playing through the pipes must receive much credit for the healthy appearance of the 
cane, but moisture is needed to make cane. With all the fine appearance we have nob 
the cane, owing, we feel certain, to the scarcity of rain, which we need badly. 
In, the North, where you have a much heavier rainfall, the drains must b 
beneficial. We note your remarks of the C.S.R. Co. A number of their managers 
have been here to see and report, and now have a great number of the staff we had 
Ri the laying of our pipe-drains at work on their Victoria Plantation, on the Herbert 
iver. 
Iam, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
ANGUS GIBSON (J.P.A) 
E. Swayne, Esq.. 
; General Secretary, Pioneer River Farmers’ Association, Mackay. 
Mr. T. Wutrrevey then proposed and Mr. George Stuckey seconded the 
foilowing resolution, which was also carried :—‘ That, in the opinion of this 
Conference, a closer supervision in reference to the use of pigs as human 
food is necessary.” 
SEVENTH SESSION. 
SaturDAy Morvyine, 127n Junez, 1897. 
Tx session was opened by Mr. Joun Manon reading the following paper on 
BREEDING AND TREATMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE. 
Brexp and individuality must be considered. The one is inherited from 
generations. ‘The other is the result of influence and character of the animal. 
‘These influences affect the milk production through the constitution and blo 
production. In breeding for beef we select the animal which has a tendency 
to build up the body. In choosing an animal for the dairy we select one 1 
