1 Juny, 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 95 
wheats at Gindie, on the Central Railway, where there is a climate, hot and dry 
in summer, very similar to that of the Maranoa. ‘The results of the experiments 
conducted at Gindie will largely apply to the conditions of the Maranoa, but, if 
my Minister sees fit, I think it could be possible, if individuals would offer, say, 
1 acre of land, to supply seed to them for the object of learning the most 
suitable varieties. It would not, at any rate, cost a great deal of money. The 
first thing in wheat that we have to consider is the growing of varieties that are 
of the highest milling value and rust resistance. Those are qualities that can 
only be determined by actual experiment in the different districts. Another 
thing we should do is to attempt to breed wheats in Queensland that will be 
adapted to Queensland conditions, that are of a high milling quality, that will 
resist rust, that will resist frost, and, finally, wheats that will produce a flour that 
will keep and make a good loaf of bread. It is not merely necessary to test a 
few varieties of wheat and see how they will grow, but we must carry on the 
experiments by testing the flour and the baking quality of the flour. It has 
been done in other parts of the world with very good results, and I see no reason 
why this class of work could not be carried out in Queensland with great 
advantage to everybody. 
Mr. J. Witson (Freestone Creek) agreed with Mr. Benson in his remarks 
relative to the desirability of wheats being tested with regard to the quality of 
the flour they made. 
Mr. W. Miscampxe (Roma): I do not think I have much to reply to, and 
J must thank you all for the kind way you received my paper. As far as I 
could judge, all the speakers were agreed as to the necessity of experiment plots 
not only for the Maranoa but for any other district in Queensland that grows 
wheat. Ihave great hopes of the Maranoa being one of the great wheat- 
growing districts of Queensland. J am not afraid of the Darling Downs, nor 
am I afraid of Victoria. We want to get facilities for marketing and the right 
sorts of wheat. We can only get the latter by the Department establishing in 
each centre experiment plots, or better still an experiment farm. It is too 
much to ask one farmer to do the experimenting for a whole district. If we 
conquer the scrub I think we are not asking the Government too much when 
we ask for assistance to help us over our difficulties. We are striving in the 
West to overcome difficulties not only of drought but the difficulties in the way 
of clearing the land. I mentioned some Purple Straw wheat. That was 
brought over in 1893. lt is a beautiful wheat, but liable to rust. During two 
of the years it was grown in my district, it meant ruination to the farmers who 
grew it, but in a good season I have known eleven bags to the acre 
being obtained from Purple Straw. Ward’s Prolific is a good wheat, but we 
cannot all grow Ward’s Prolific. We want different varieties, so that we can 
make the best flour to put upon the markets of the world. I look to London 
for the market for the wheat that is to be grown in the Maranoa. I do not 
think the day is far distant when we will be competing in the London market. 
To-day, in the Maranoa, we can grow wheat for 2s. 9d. a bushel, and find it 
pays us better than 5s. a bushel used to eight years ago. As a Victorian 
who has come to Queensland, I may say that I think we have a better country 
than Victoria. I think we have a better district in Roma than I had in 
Victoria. Give us right conditions, fair railway rates, and the proper wheats to 
grow, and I am sure we will come out successful, to the benefit of ourselves 
and to the State of Queensland in general. 
The Hon. D. H. Datryaere : Assuming what we all admit, that in 
growing wheat in the West great difficulties are to be met with, it is gratifying 
to hear from Mr. Miscamble that he looks upon them as difficulties that will be 
overcome. Mr. Miscamble has told us that the West is as good as Victoria. 
We know the large output that takes place there. He looks forward also to 
the export of wheat ultimately to the markets of London, and I trust his hope- 
fulness will be justified by events. Something has been overlooked, however, 
for admitting that it was desirable to try experiments in the Maranoa, I must 
