1 Dec., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 401 
As the harvesting goes on, experts in machinery travel about fixing up new 
binders, instructing the farmers in their use, and repairing and adjusting 
others, at no cost to the owner. Everywhere we noticed the splendid 
condition of the fine horses used in farming operations. Every wheat-grower 
has a large number of horses, so that by relays the heavy work of reaping can 
go on from early morn to dewy eve, without unduly working the cattle. 
There is one blot on the scene, however, and that is the number of fields of 
“ dirty” wheat. To such an extent are some fields studded with wild oats that it 
is hard to tell whether oats or wheat predominate. One farmer, on being asked 
whether a certain patch consisted of oats or wheat, said: “If oats are dear 
this will be a field of oats, but if wheat is dear it will be wheat.’’ This was 
much on a par with the request of a visitor at a boarding-house, who, on getting 
a cup of some liquid for breakfast, said to the waiter: “If this is tea take it 
away and bring me coffee, but if it is coffee take it away and bring me tea.” 
The large percentage of oats and barley in some of the wheat areas must have 
a serious effect upon the farmer’s profits, and cuts two ways. If he leaves his 
wheat to ripen, then the oats shake out and lie ready to reproduce the evil 
a hundredfold next season. If he cuts his crop before the oats are ripe, then 
the wheat is too green, and the grain will shrive] in the stook. It might be a 
good idea to throw such fields out of cultivation for a season, or to plant corn 
on them, and so get rid of the oat trouble. On some fields the farmers had 
gone over their fields three or four times, and had taken out these “ strangers,” 
and the effect was plainly to be seen in the clean, even look of the wheat. 
The varieties mostly grown are Allora Spring, Budd’s Early, Ward’s Prolific, 
and Belatourka. There are several beautiful fields of malting barley to be seen. 
As one rises out of the plain towards the scrub lands, the wheat crops 
sppeat to be heavier and cleaner than on the plains. At Emu Vale there 
should be a very good average, the grain being plump and ears well filled. 
Large quantities of potatoes are grown on the scrub lands; but owing to the 
want of rain the crop will be a light one. Increased prices, however, will 
compensate in some degree for small yields, and, in addition, the smaller tubers 
will come in handy for seed for the winter crop. On the scrub selections, 
although the wallaby fences remain, the marsupials have quite disappeared on 
the older lands, and only trouble those who are battling with the scrub higher 
up. ‘The best crop of potatoes this season will probably be turned out by Mr. 
Peter Hoilberg, of Emu Vale. 
At Gladfield, Messrs. Tom Ryan and Ed. Nolan, familiarly known as Big 
Ned Nolan, have grand wheat crops, as has also Mr. J. Lyons. 
On the uplands, beyond Emu Vale, there is a vast amount of cultivation 
both of wheat, maize, and potatoes. Disappointments have naturally occurred, 
as instance the case of two Victorians who rented a piece of ground here to 
grow onions, a much-favoured and valuable crop in a good season. They 
worked hard; but notwithstanding their energy and determination the hot, 
dry weather was against success, and they gave it up. 
The earliest wheat in the district is that of Mr. N. Bishop. Fifty acres 
of his crop will probably yield over 5 bags per acre. Mr. W. Gillespie has 
50 acres of newly broken up ground. 
The Hon. G. Vanneck is now farming near Yangan, and has excellent 
wheat crops on what was known as Marriage’s Farm. 
Amongst the Emu Vale farmers whose crops look well and would yield 
well if it were not for so much of the “‘ stranger’ element in them are Messrs. 
Reaves Bros., Mitchell, Carmody, Atkinson, and Jones. At Dandervo, the 
best lot is that of Mr. George Alexander. ‘The tobacco industry appears to be 
about extinct at Killarney. Several large sheds are all that remain to record 
the time when the farmers made good cheques out of the weed. ; 
The industry may, however, revive under the instruction of Mr. Nevill, 
the Government Tobacco Expert, who has already aroused much interest in 
other parts of the colony in the industry, and has arranged experiments at the 
Agricultural College at Gatton. The timber industry appears to be booming, 
however, and the Killarney sawmills send timber all over the Downs. 
