1 Nov.,1901.]. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 465 
QUEENSLAND CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. 
One of the valuable papers read at the Agricultural Conference held last 
July, at Bundaberg, was by Mr. F. W. Peek, of the Logan Farming and Industrial 
Association, Beenleigh, on the desirability of forming a Queensland Chamber 
of Agriculture. A copy of the resolution of the Association affirming the 
necessity for such an institution was forwarded to every Society on the list 
published monthly in the Queensland Agricultural Journal, with the immediate 
result that forty-seven societies promptly responded, either promising support 
or asking for further information. 
The late Secretary for Agriculture, the Hon. J. V. Chataway, gave the 
moyement his full sympathy and support, and advised that the question be 
brought up at the Conference for discussion. This was done, and although 
several speakers considered the idea premature and advised delay, the majority 
favoured it, and the Chairman, the Hon. G. H. Dalrymple, present Secretary 
for Agriculture, whilst pointing out the inevitable difficulties, especially in 
relation to finance, considered that the moment was opportune for forming a 
provisional committee to at least set the ball rolling. At the close of the 
session the committee was formed and a number of farmers and planters 
signed the members’ roll. 
Since then Mr. Peek, who has acted as honorary secietary, has diligently 
followed the matter up, with the result that the Chamber of Agriculture is 
firmly established, and the first council meeting was held on Friday, 4th 
October, in the rooms ot the National Association, Courier Buildings, Brisbane. 
The Hon. A. J. Thynne notified his willingness to accept the position of 
president. A large amount of preliminary business was got through. The 
secretary reported the funds to be in a satisfactory condition, and an account 
was opened in the Queensland National Bank. The Chamber of Agriculture 
is thus fairly started, and there can be no doubt that, under the guidance of an 
able council, it will be the means of much advantage to the farming and 
pastoral community generally. The acting secretary is Mr. F. W. Peek. 
AGRICULTURE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FRANCE. 
(From the Year Book of the Agricultural Department in the United States for 1900.) 
os - “4 # The schools thus far described are given up 
entirely to agricultural teaching. There remains for discussion the public 
kchool system, in which agriculture is but one branch of the general course. 
Asricultural instruction is given in all French normal schoois for men, and by 
the laws of 1879, i887, and 1888 it has been made obligatory to teach in the 
tural elementary schools the elements of the natural and physical sciences, with 
their application to agriculture. The agricultural instruction in the primary 
schools is as follows :— 
Enementary Primary Insrrucrron. 
Elementary Course (Pupils seven to nine years old ).—First lessons in the 
garden and school. 
Middle Course (Pupils nine to eleven years old).—Ideas appropriate to 
what the child has read; object lessons and excursions for the purpose of 
familiarising pupils with soils, fertilisers, tillage, and common implements. 
_ Higher Course (Pupils eleven to thirteen years old)—More methodical 
instruction on tillage, implements, drainage, fertilisers of all kinds, sowing, 
harvesting, domestic animals, and bookkeeping ; ideas about horticultural pro- 
pagation, tree culture, and grafting. 
Surerror Primary Insrrucrion. 
Advanced Course for Boys and Girls over thirteen years old.—Practical ideas 
about vegetation, the duration of growth, and reproduction (by seeds, buds, 
grafts) ; different kinds of lands, manures and their use and rotation; the use 
of agricultural implements and machines ; principal operations in agriculture, 
Such as breaking up land, planting, transplanting, drainage, and irrigation ; 
