longer. The agistment is costing lds. a week. 
1 Dec.; 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 44/7 
REPORT OF THE MANAGER, STATE FARM, GINDIE. 
It is with very great regret that I have to place before you such a very 
unsatisfactory report, but, considering the fearful drought that we have experienced. 
it could hardly be otherwise. ae 
Owing to the scanty rainfall the 156:66 acres of cereals sown up to 30th June, 
1901, was a failure. I endeavoured to harvest a part of the best, but was unable to 
do so, as the crop was so light, and in consequence the horses were allowed to graze 
it down. 
The 9 acres of lucerne came up nicely, and though it did not make much growth 
it kept alive until December, when it was fairly roasted with the extreme heat 
experienced at that time. 
The prairie grass did not do so well. It was very stunted, and never reached a 
greater height than 3 to 4 inches, but with a favourable season and a partly sheltered 
osition it should do very well, and be of good service, as it is at its best when our 
indigenous grasses are dry. 
The 6 acres of vines replanted by Mr. Rainford are almost a total failure—very 
few of them being alive at the present date. The fruit trees have fared somewhat 
better. It could not be-expected that they could make much growth, but by giving 
ae wee as opportunity offered, I have been enabled to keep a good proportion of 
them alive. 
A large amount of tseful work was done by the Relief Camp which was formed 
here. Had we been favoured with good summer rains, the benefit would have been 
felt both by increased quality and quantity of the grass that would have been available 
for the cattle. Part of the brigalow that was felled shows no sign of growth from 
either the roots or stumps, while other portions have sent up suckers from the bottom 
‘A portion of the trees that were ringbarked are dead, but a great number are stil] 
alive. 
In July, eight varieties of millet and sorghum were planted, also a trial planting 
of German Beet. ; 
In August, the orchard was ploughed and cowpeas planted in every third fu: : 
These seeds came up and existed for a time, but eventually had to succumb to the hot 
dry weather. 
. oe ry Ae 
In October a further sowing of 8 acres of cowpeas was made, and also 10 acres of 
maize. The cowpeas came up very well and kept alive until December, when the 
burnt off with the heat. Only a very small proportion of the maize came up aaa 
what did germinate soon withered. 
Yn Oetober 100 lambs were marked. As there are only 162 ewes, I consider the 
increase a fair one, considering the hard season that the sheep had to contend with. 
The adult sheep were also shorn during October. The wool realised £27 9s. 7d. 
nett. Twenty-four wethers were sold, off the shears, at 8s. 6d. per head and erie A 
10s. After deducting those that were sold and those that have lately died, there ig 
still an increase of fifty-four over last year’s numbers. On 9th June the «sheep coh 
sent to Walton on agistment, as it was impossible to keep them on the farm gy 
On 8th April, 161 head of cattle and 7 head of the farm. horses were sent on t 
the Dee River on agistment. For a considerable time previous to this, scrub had os 
be cut for the cattle in the hope of keeping them alive until rain fell, but as this had 
not taken place on the aboye-mentione date, I concluded to remove them bef Te th 
got any lower in condition. For the last year the number returned was 170 fen y 
present the number is 161—showing a loss of 9 head. The agistment on the cattle is 
3d. per head per week, and on the horses Gd. As the country on which the cattle are 
depastured is within the tick area I had them ogee 
The planting of the present season’s cereals was commenced on the 12 
As I Tat raneent free strength to work the cumbersome seed drill that i ae 
T was compelled to plough in the g~eater part of the wheat that had been Ueto 
This, coupled with the fact that the horses are not in a fair condition to do a aoe 
day’s work, has somewhat delayed this work. Y 
At present date there are 149°99 acres sown with wheat; rye and meant 
rye, 2 acres; barley, 95°: acres. There 1s still an area of about 21 acres to Betaoens 
with wheat. As soon as this work is completed the remaining farm horses will be put 
cout on agistment. i 
At present there is only one man employed on the farm, 
31 
1 acre ; 
