1 Jury, 1902.] QUEENSLAN) AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 57 
are no legislative enactments governing these institutions, each of our societies being 
permitted to govern itself, to make its own rules and regulations. I have one before 
me now whilst writing this paper, offering from a local society (four years back) a 
rize for buckjumping of £5, whilst in the same schedule for the best collection of 
farm products only £1 is the award, and for the best collection of vegetables 7s. 6d. 
is set down. 
If we desire to make our institutions progressive, and to obtain the fullest amount 
of benefit from our efforts, we must work in one groove and combine. Each society. 
should be created a branch of a district, and become an affiliated member of one 
whole council or body representing that district. A representative from that 
district’s council being again represented on the committee of the central institution, 
that should be recognised as the State society of Queensland for holding the annual 
show of the various products and resources of the State. 
This is what is now the aim of the Queensland National Agricultural and 
Industrial Association ; it is also the aim of the Royal Ayricultural Society of New 
South Wales, and I have received a communication from Victoria stating that the 
Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria have now decided to add district representa- 
tives to their council, and district exhibits to their schedule. There is one great 
trouble to be met, and it is a serious one to delegates and others attending the 
meeting of central committees, or executive bodies, and that is—the cost. In some 
instances it involves a serious outlay of money, besides time lost in travelling to 
and fro. This is a question that I am sure can be reasonably considered by the 
Department of Agriculture. The expense of travelling to such conferences repays 
this State one hundred fold by the knowledge obtained, the dissemination of new ideas, 
and the keener interest that must be taken by those attending, and to the attention 
given to the development of our agricultural resources. 
A. Word ro THE Farmers and Mrmpenrs. 
Our farmers, too, do not seem to grasp the direct benefit to them of becoming 
members, and giving their best assistance to further the objects of the societies. 
If the style or get-up of industrial exhibits, or if the agricultural section is not 
quite up to standard, as expected, the visitor and farmer should not grumble and 
belittle the effarts made, but should make up their minds to take a hand in it next 
time, and by their superior knowledge, experience, education, and facilities help to 
assist the institution by producing an article in advance of previous exhibits, and 
creating among the competitors a spirit of emulation that will help forward the 
good work undertaken of educating, not’ only our own local people, but the numerous 
other visitors who attend, say, the annual show in Brisbane, as to the magnificent 
resources of our State. 
The adaptation of our soil and climate to every class of production from the tem- 
perate to the tropical zone, offers such an inducement to make a collective exhibit from 
the various districts if combined, that would be unequalled in the world for its 
yariety and commercial value, comprising such valuable assets of mineral wealth— 
timbers, wheat, wool, sugar, &c., as staple products—backed up by our ever 
increasing dairying industry, besides fruits of all kinds and suitable to all climates. 
AJ] that is required in this State is for our farmers to be educated in the best methods 
of producing and marketing, and this can be best attained by assisting the work of our 
local institutions by collecting and exhibiting of our best to the world for judgment. 
A philosopher (Franklin) once said— There are three methods of obtaining wealth by 
a nation—namely, war, commerce, and agriculture”; and he sums up like this— 
“War is plunder, commerce is generally cheating, agriculture is the only honest way 
wherein a man receives the real increase of wealth from the seed he sows in the 
ground.” But Task, of what use is the acquisition of agricultural wealth if, after 
supplying our own needs, we do not try to cater for the wants of others? The whole: 
world of production indirectly depends upon agriculture. Where would our manufac- 
turing and commercial pursuits be without agriculture ? } 
All the more fitting, then, seeing the dependence of one upon the other, that they 
should be brought together in close relationship, and I know of no more fitting” 
place than upon our agricultural show grounds. It is here where agriculturalists, 
pastoralists, planters, mechanics, manufacturers, professional and commerical men all 
meet and become better known and acquainted with eaeh other, exchange ideas, 
see the Jatest inventions of science and skill. the wonderful improvements and methods 
brought up to date by the people and nations of the world—and all through the 
agency of the agricultural society, a body of men who very often do not get 
the recognition they deserve for their energy and public spirit in endeavouring to: 
advance the great producing interests of the nation. 
