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92 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juny, 1901, 
for their kindly expressions of interest in my work. When I came here I was 
under the impression that a conference of agriculturists was a highly important 
matter, and I thought that it was a duty of those who attended that Conterence 
to put forward some of their very best effort, and therefore to treat all matters 
in a very serious light. Doubtless, had I delivered to you a popular lecture I 
might have interested you more, but I have written a paper which I hope shall | 
be read, and when you do read it you will perhaps find a little more in it than 
you may now think is present. 
STATE ATD TO CARRY OUT SCHEMES OF DRAINAGE ON PRIVATE 
LANDS. 
Mr. N. J. Mrxekensen (Yandaran): As a representative of the Avondale 
Planters and Farmers’ Association, who have submitted this matter for the 
consideration of the Conference, I may explain a few of the reasons why we 
ask for State aid in drainage. In my opinion drainage ranks before tillage or 
manuring. A man may till and manure as much as he likes, but unless he has 
drainage his crops will rot in the ground. I have not come here with an axe to 
grind, but shall better illustrate my meaning by specifying a particular case. 
Some time ago I purchased a piece of new land, and got it ready for a crop, 
About six or seven weeks ago we had an abnormal fall of rain, and when I came 
to look at this piece of ground it was a lake with about 3 feet of water over 
the whole lot of it. Previous to that it looked a lovely piece of land. My land 
was not the only piece of ground that was submerged, and three of my neighbours 
and myself clubbed together for inaugurating a system whereby to have the 
whole lot drained. It will mean half-a-mile of drainage 6 feet wide at the 
bottom and 10 feet at the top, and J can see that if a single individual had to 
face a job like that the farm would be left to the frogs and the mosquitoes. 
This would be a pity, for it will be found that the low-lying lands in Queensland 
are always better than the higher, for the simple reason that the latter do not 
get enough moisture to enable them to grow good crops. Therefore, if we can 
drain our low lands so much the better. I am not in favour of asking the 
Government for anything unless it is for a national purpose, and T think in 
this instance the Government might lend the divisional boards a limited amount 
of money to deal with the question. Personally, I do not want anything, but 1 
am only pointing this out as what might, and should in my opinion, be done. 
Application could be made to the local authority for an amount to carry on 
drainage with, and this amount could be made redeemable in twenty years, 
I may say, in conclusion, if Queensland does introduce such a measure she will 
not be the only country that has done so. In my native land, Denmark, the 
system is carried out on a very extensive scale indeed. 
Mr. R. 8. ArKen (Gooburrum) thought the matter brought up by Mr, 
Mikkelsen could be dealt with by the divisional boards. 
The Hon. D. H. Datrympre: This matter came up for discussion, | 
believe, two years ago. I remember reading a report on it, and I think Mr, 
Chataway said there were some difficulties in regard to getting outlets for the — 
drainage water—that is to say, in order to drain it was necessary to have.a 
place whereon to drain; also, that the law on the subject was somewhat 
dubious. Personally I admit that the problem of drainage is a very important 
one. If the gentleman who has introduced the discussion will communicate 
with me I shall do my best to ascertain whether any more information has 
been gained with regard to the existing law, and the necessity for amending it. 
THE NEED OF EXPERIMENTAL WHEAT PLOTS IN THE MARANOA 
DISTRICT. : 
As time permitted, a short discussion was held on the paper by Mr. W. 
Miseamble, of Roma, which was read the previous evening on the above 
subject. 
Mr. W. Deacon (Allora): There were one or two questions brought up 
in connection with that paper on wheat which should be answered, and amongst 
