176 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Sepr., 1902. 
The steps to be taken in introducing the grain elevator system intoa 
country like New South Wales are, it seems to me, as follows, and in the 
following order :— 
1. Introduction of railway facilities for the carriage of grain in bulk. 
This first step must be taken by those who own and control the 
railways. , 
2. Building of country elevators. Of these 100 to 200, of 20,000 to 
40,000 bushels’ capacity, would be required to meet the present 
needs of New South Wales. 
3. Building of large terminal elevators at the centres of consumption 
and export. Probably one or two of about 1,000,000 bushels’ 
capacity would meet present requirements in New South Wales. 
Of these three steps the second is by far the most important. It is a lack 
of ‘appreciation of the logical order of the above steps, and an ignorance of, the 
importance of the country elevators, that has hampered the progress off the 
elevator system outside the United States, whence it is destined to spread to all 
grain-producing countries where labour is expensive. 
It is not easy to recommend a trial of the elevator system on a small scale. 
A single elevator will not bring a decided gain, nor be an adequate object 
lesson ; but elevators might be introduced on one railway line, and the beginning 
thus made ought to furnish a basis for further action. 
I have not given the matter that careful attention it will doubtless 
receive at the hands of railway and building experts; but, looking at it in my 
way, I should estimate the cost of inaugurating wheat elevators in New South 
Wales at not less than £400,000. 
Finally, I will add that careful inquiry and reflection have convinced me 
that the introduction of grain elevators into Australia should be under some 
American auspices. No doubt American contractors would at first secure 
Australian contracts, as they have those of other countries; and such an 
arrangement would, in my opinion, be the best possible arrangement... By this 
Imean no disparagement to Australian engineers, who, on account of their 
better knowledge of local conditions, would no doubt soon, in the matter of 
constructing elevators, easily distance all competitors. 
