188 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Sepr., 1902, 
growers of the North not benefit by Dr. Maxwell’s advice to them, it 
will be their own fault, and they will accentuate the seriousness of a 
situation caused by indifference to scientific instruction. Not long ago 
a writer in a metropolitan contemporary called attention to the fact 
that in the sense of a general adoption of the doctor’s advice, the growers were 
not, in any way, to be complimented, although a few of them might have 
striven to apply the treatment prescribed for the land. He still continues to 
prescribe, to use the words of the writer in question, with all the eloquence and 
force at his command, but it never seems to advance the grower any nearer the 
idea of action. For example, he has repeatedly advised the proper part of the 
cane to use as plants, to cease burning trash and return it to the soil, to.plough 
deeper by subsoiling, and to limit the area cultivated guided by labour facilities, 
and a host of other minor but very important details. And it is these details, 
trivial as they appear, that go to build up remunerative crops. Now, how many 
of all his numerous hearers are really acting on that advice? The most 
important of all the items mentioned, and which the doctor so strongly 
condemns, is that of burning trash. It is said that the Colonial Sugar 
Refinery Company have never burned a blade of trash for five years on any of 
their estates. But what ¢an be thought of those outside the interests of that 
company who contemptuously ignore not only eminent advice, but actual 
visible facts, where every blade or leaf is saved? It would really seem that 
there was more difficulty in getting the advice or cure administered than to 
abandon the trouble that gave rise to the disease, or, what is the same thing, 
stunted crops. In spite of the deplorable condition of the cane, apart from 
drought, there seems a blind determination to keep in the old ruts, and at the 
same time a rooted belief that the methods which have brought about 
comparative ruin cannot be improved upon. And if those interested cannot be 
persuaded to consistently follow the advice of such an eminent exponent as’ 
Dr. Maxwell, what possible hope is there of resuscitating the industry ? 
Prejudice usually dies hard, but the prejudice in the sugar industry of the 
State, with one notable exception, is unparalleled. The writer, it may be 
presumed, was writing mainly of Southern canegrowers and their crops, but it 
is not improbable that many Northern growers may be classed in the category 
of those who prefer to follow their own notions as to cultivation rather than 
the advice of the scientific expert. The reports of Dr. Maxwell’s addresses, as 
published in the Ingham and Geraldton papers, should be filed by our 
canegrowers for future reference; and we cannot do better than advise them 
to very carefully “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” these reports, as the 
advice and instruction they contain are, beyond question, of a very timely and 
valuable character. 
AGRICULTURE IN THE FAR NORTH—AN EXPLANATION. 
Exception having been taken to some remarks we made in our article of 
June last on “Agriculture in the Far North,” by Mr. P. Petersen, sugar-planter,. 
of Hambledon, Cairns, he has requested us to publish his version of the con- 
versation which took place between him and Mr. Boyd. What we wrote was as 
follows :— : 
I was introduced to a farmer named Petersen, close to Hambledon. He was a 
successful cane-grower and a believer in white labour, so I asked him how the loss of 
the kanaka would affect cane-growers. His reply was ambiguous in the extreme. He 
is the father of nine fine sons. ‘The eldest of these boys help him to do all the work 
in connection with his sugar crop. Why should he employ black labour? The young 
men, I suggested, earned white men’s wages. Well, aed was the rub. He coul 
not afford to pay his sons the wages they could earn in other capacities or as regular 
farm or mill hands. It was not fair to the boys, but what could he do? ‘“ Employ 
black labour while you can get it,’ was my natural suggestion. But this would be 
against his principles as a believer in the Labour Party. The natural inference was 
that rather than employ black labour, and being unable to pay proper wages to his 
