448 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1901. 
condition of those societies, aud on the causes which have hindered their 
developing to the same extent as kindred associations elsewhere. At least 
one such person is known to the Department; and his services might be 
obtained for the purpose without cost to the State, as a very small fraction of 
the amount paid in subsidies to these societies would cover the whole expense 
of the inquiry. 
While, hitherto, our farmers have not shown in an eminent degree that 
genius for combination with its resulting co-operation and the individual 
self-effacement involved, so characteristic of the continental races, Queensland, 
in the direction of industrial education, has recognised the value of continental 
ideals, and has made determined efforts to attain them. Not that her 
achievements in this respect can compare with, say, the elaborate agricultural 
education system of France, where agricultural training “ begins in the rural 
primary schools with the simplest facts of agriculture, extends through every 
phase of practice and theory in special schools, and culminates in a National 
Institute, where the highest forms of agricultural instruction are given by a 
staff of the first men of science of France.” But thanks to the stron 
hands and true which founded it, we have an Agricultural College which would 
take a high place even in France, and has no superior among the kindred 
institutions of Australasia. The good work it is doing, both as a seminary for 
our youths and as a model farm for their elders, meets with general recognition. 
Not the least pleasing fact about it is the cireumstance that most of its “old 
boys’’ betake themselves for a livelihood to agriculture, and that some of 
them are occupying positions of trust and responsibility connected therewith. 
lt should be added that the institution is highly popular, and that room 
cannot be found for all who desire admission. 
Owing to the facilities placed in their way by the Railway Department, 
hundreds of farmers visit the College in parties in the course of the year, and 
learn there much that is valuable to them respecting effective machinery, 
modern methods, breeds of cattle, the most profitable crops, and the most 
serviceable manures. A similar purpose is served by our experiment farms, all 
of which are capably conducted, and promise, under the skilful direction of the 
agricultural adviser, to be even more useful in the future than they have been 
in the past. ‘This is particularly true of the experimental plots in each, which 
are under the care of the specialists of the Department. These officers, it 
should be said, are carrying out their duties, as far as practicable, after the 
manner of the travelling instructors of the more advanced European countries. 
They are constantly in the field, keeping themselves in touch with the farmer, 
helping him to cope with his difficulties, tendering him the best advice avai]- 
able, and showing him how to prepare his products in the most attractive Way 
for market. For this last mentioned work special praise should be given to. 
the strenuous and successful efforts of the instructor in fruit culture and his 
assistant, both of whom are entitled to the warmest gratitude of the fruit. 
growers of this State. 
* * * * a * 
The seed time of our agricultural education system is so recent that it is,. 
perhaps, too soon to look for the harvest. One result, however, of this diffusion 
of technical knowledge is that almost everywhere the farmer is sensible of the 
value of scientific tillage, and is eager to master and apply its principles. 
Indications are not wanting, too, that on the whole agriculture is advancing,. 
as the subjoined notes on some of the principal crops will show. 
It is true that one important branch last year gave no evidence of progress. 
Our greatest agricultural industry at present is the sugar industry. About 
one-fifth of all our cultivated Jand is under sugarcane, and about three-fourths 
of the value of our agricultural exports must be credited to sugar. It is there~ 
fore not pleasant to have to record the heavy loss this great industry suffered 
