1 Ocr., 1902. } QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 247 
Meet once a week, invite lecturers to give you short addresses on practical 
subjects of interest. Our farmers have a lot to learn, and meeting together 
socially at first paves the way for more practical work of a lasting nature. 
Co-OPERATION FOR MARKETING. 
Tn agricultural production the benefits to be derived from co-operation in 
marketing are tangible and real from the start. A practical lesson has been 
learned in this direction this year by the citrus-growers. The economic 
advantages of distribution by combining and forwarding under a central body 
have proved most satisfactory. The main object is to endeavour to bring 
producer and consumer into direct contact, if possible. This object was also 
attained by the writer in starting and organising the retail markets at South 
Brisbane, where farmers have the privilege of attending and disposing of their 
products direct to the consumer ata nominal charge for the space occupied. 
There are now signs pointing to the establishment in the near future of whole- 
sale market sales on co-operative lines. I do not want it thought or under- 
stood that | am advocating the total abolition of the middleman, or that I want 
to create a new system to disorganise existing conditions at once. The system 
it is desirable to introduce must gradually grow. The producer cannot at first 
distribute his products at the doors of the consumer. 
What is desired in the first stages of co-operation is for the producers to 
exercise some control over the distribution, and to lessen the number of middle 
profits and exorbitant commission charges. The farmers, by co-operating to 
consign their products in one parcel, get them carried at lower individual cost, 
and more care will be exercised in handling the consignments. I leave this 
with the farmers to consider. The matter is in their own hands; it is their pro- 
duct; they can have the say and the control. Will they organise ? 
By co-operation and mutual self-help, we can do a great deal to better our 
condition without “State aid,” but we have much to learn in the way of 
knowing what to grow, how to grow, and how to market so as to suit the taste 
of the consumer. For this we ask for expert advice in the lecture-room on 
general knowledge, and in the field for practical demonstration. In this 
irection we appeal strongly to the Department of Agriculture, and to those 
members who are to-day representing this State’s various industries, to assist in 
no niggardly fashion. There never was a time in this State’s history when 
such urgent action was required to assist in every way possible to help our 
man on the land to help himself. Practical men will know the value of this 
suggestion. ‘To them I say, do not mind the people who say such work is not 
practicable. Start at once organising—money always follows intelligence. 
Co-operate, and the higher you raise your standard of production the more 
¢ash will be received for your labour, and the more comforts it will bring to 
your bush homes. Other things will suggest themselves to you as you pro- 
gress. The society which first leads will soon have imitators. All that is wanted 
is a start, and an urgent desire to educate our producers into better systems 
of production and marketing, and develop our industries on sound lines. This 
<an only be done by sinking individualism and co-operating, that you may leave 
a progressive Queensland for your children to live in and enjoy. 
TO DESTROY RED ANTS. 
Mix flour, sugar, and arsenic to the consistency of putty with water, and 
place pieces of the mixture about the nests of the ants. If an examination is 
made a few days after using this remedy, hundreds of dead ants will be found 
in the vicinity of the poison, and it is very unlikely that the ants will reappear 
in a spot where the mixture has been used. 
