96 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Juny, 1901, 
remind Mr. Miscamble that experiments have been tried there. As far back as 
1893, and for a number of succeeding years, a series of experiments, With 
varieties of wheat, were carried out, under the auspices of Professor Shelton, 
at Roma, on the farm of Mr. P. Smith. Then, again, wheat has been 
tried, and is still being tried, at the Gindie State Farm, near Springsure, in 
what may, perhaps, be termed the Western district of Central Queens- 
land. You are all doubtless aware of the experiments in wheat that 
have been conducted by Mr. Mahon at the Agricultural College, and altogether 
the Department has evidently been alive to the necessity of trying experiments 
under varying conditions. But the conditions, after all, in certain parts of the 
country, although those parts may be great distances from each other, need Dot 
necessarily vary to any great extent. The differences, for instance, between 
Roma and Toowoomba would be vastly greater than those between Hughenden 
and Roma, or Winton and Roma. That is to say, the conditions out West, and 
within certain limits, are similar in the various localities. The Department bas 
tried experiments in wheatgrowing in the Western country, and I am not 
going to say that it is indisposed to try them again. But we have already got 
six State farms and nurseries, and I must ask the delegates to look facts in the 
face. A considerable amount of money is devoted to the Department of 
Agriculture. and very protitably so I think. We have, however, to consider 
a very serious deficit this year, and I must ask them to remember whatever 
disposition the Minister has to extend his operations, his willingness is curbed 
by the necessities of the Treasury. Experiments are going on in the West, and 
T trust they will be profitable. I am sure that farmers, as a body, are less 
disposed to expect State help than any other class cf men | know that in 
certain of the sugar districts experiments are being carried on by planters with 
regard to the effects of different manures. If farmers can obtain seed, let 
us say through the Department, of different varieties of wheat, which are 
believed by the experts to be probably favourable and likely to succeed in 
special districts, then I do not think it is too much to hope that farmers will 
undertake small experiments. It does not appear to me to be a work 
affected by difficulties that farmers cannot overcome, provided they get 
seed free of cost from the Department, to devote an acre or two to a number 
of varieties, aud study the results from those varieties. I hope the Department 
will allow of this being done, if the Treasurer permits. I believe there is 
no more legitimate function for the Department to undertake, and I believe 
there is reason to hope that the effort on the part of the State will also be 
supplemented by individual enterprise and individual experiments on the part 
of the farmers themselves. On the testimony of the gentlemen present, I was 
gratified to hear that a number of varieties of wheat imported by the Department 
had been found very suitable to the country. 
Mr. J. Dante (Pittsworth) asked why, after growing a newly introduced 
wheat for a few years, it so often seemed to deteriorate, especially in its rust 
resisting qualities? 
Mr. W. Deacon (Allora) said his experience of nee introduced varieties 
was generally the opposite, and he instanced cases of wheats that were very 
rusty the first year they were grown in the colony, but which afterwards 
improved out of all recognition. 
VISIT TO BINGHRA. 
On the afternoon of Thursday, the 13th June, the delegates visited Bingera 
Sugar Plantation, where they were hospitably entertained by Messrs. Gibson 
and Howes. The delegates were specially interested in the preparations for 
the vast irrigation scheme that was to be inaugurated on the plantation, and 
these were fully explained to them by the proprietors. At the conclusion of 
the luncheon the Hon. D. H. Dalrymple, on behalf of the visitors, thanked 
Messrs. Gibson and Howes for the kindness with which they had been received, 
a sentiment which was heartily echoed by everyone present. 
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