1 May, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 845 
MARCH, 1902. 
Farm.—I regret having to report a serious loss to the College during 
this month-—viz., the total destruction by fire of the hayshed and its contents. 
The shed contained about 410 tons of first-class lucerne, oaten, and wheaten 
hay, together with 5 tons of unthreshed rye, a considerable amount of barley 
straw, and a valuable chaffeutter. The actual loss we are likely to suffer can 
hardly be estimated during such a severe drought, more especially as we have 
been obliged to feed all the available ensilage to our stock in the earlier part of 
the season, leaving us now dependent on 15 acres of green maize, which will 
keep us going up to about the beginning of June next. As in most cases, where 
fires take place, there is no accounting for its origin; at the same time, I feel 
confident that it occurred through an accident. During the month we formed 
68 chains of the Tarampa road. This work was carried out by means of the 
“Champion” road-making machine, which did excellent work. The cost of 
doing the work was increased by the fact that there were so many roots in the 
ground which should have been removed when the road was cleared. The 
actual cost of ploughing and forming the 68 chains was £26 10s., made up as 
follows :—T'wo men, 20 days at 5s. per day; 1 student, 12 days at 2s. 6d. per 
day; 6 horses, 20 days at 2s. 6d. per day each. This cost is about 50 per cent. 
below the ordinary contract price paid for such work. Ploughed and planted 
17 acres of potatoes, viz.: 5 acres in plot No. 4, 9 acres in three-cornered plot 
at Head’s road, 2 acres in creek paddock No. 1, and 1 acre in garden paddock. 
Bighteen acres on the bank of the Lockyer Creek was subsoiled to a depth of° 
18 inches preparatory to planting lucerne. ‘The method adopted was to remove 
the mouldboards from Howard’s double-furrow ploughs, which did the work 
well, and were drawn by a team of six horses. ‘The work of clearing 40 acres 
of new land in creek paddock and 14 acres for recreation ground was 
continued. The hour betore breakfast was devoted to the latter work. Other 
work done :—Cultivating maize and cow-pea, carting and dressing up manure, 
clearing up remains of fire, the ashes from which were placed on the land. 
The rainfall for the month was ‘26 inches for two days. 
Garden.—The “ hill” orchard and vineyard have been kept well cultivated, 
and are quite free from weeds. In the former, the young trees are suffering 
from the long-continued dry weather. The orchard and vineyard at creek 
have also been cultivated when necessary. In the vegetable garden, a very large 
amount of irrigation has been necessary ; 2,500 cabbage plants are now growing 
and doing well. In the case of these, a great deal of spraying with Paris green 
has been mn eceesery, to destroy the grubs which attacked the hearts, and, in some 
instances, killed the plants. The beans and other vegetables have responded to 
the liberal supply of water given them at different times. Water and rock 
melons have been plentiful, and sufficient pumpkins have been gathered to keep 
the dining-hall supplied. Successional sowings of cabbage, cauliflower, kale, 
leeks, onions, broccoli, and lettuce have been made from time to time. 
Dairy.—During the month, 1,808 gallons of milk gaye a return of 778 Ib. 
of butter, 474 gallons were supplied to the dining-hall, and 262 gallons fed to 
calyes. The increase of stock comprised 1 Jersey (male), 1 grade Holstein 
(female), 1 Shorthorn (female). One grade Jersey bull was disposed of. 
The daily average of cows milked was 63 head. The cows in milk were 
grazed for about two hours daily on a lucerne plot, and then turned out into a 
grass paddock. 
Piggery.—Increase for month: Berkshires, 85 head. Sales: Berkshires, 
5 boars, 4 sows; Middle Yorkshires, 2 boars, 2 sows; Tamworth, 1 sow; 
Baconers, 10 head were sold to J. C. Hutton, realising £2 10s. per head. (These 
pigs were forwarded in January, but returns not received till March.) 
Mechanical Department.—During the month all the gates on the place have 
been painted, also the verandas of the “main building,” dining-hall, and 
dormitories. The horse troughs, several wagons, and some of the farm 
implements have been painted. ‘I'wo wagons, and some of the other vehicles 
haye been thoroughly repaired. New shafts have been made for the portable 
