The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 965, 8 June 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1868.

The agricultural statistics of the colony of Victoria now published fully confirm the reported deficiency in cereal crops, showing a falling off -in the produce of the last harvest as against that of the proceeding year in round numbers of 1,200,000 bushels of wheat. The deficiency is not confined to wheat alone, the oat crop returning a loss of one million and a half of bushels, while as a matter materially affecting the grain market, the crop of hay shows a very large decrease. The quantity of wheat actually raised in Victoria during the last season is not equal to that reqnired to feed the population (assumed to be 650,000) —by nearly half a million bushels — being 3,489,000 bushels raised against 3,900,000 required. This calculation allows no deduction for the quantity to be reserved for seed for the coming year, but is given as that which is actually needed to be converted into flour. It therefore follows that between this time until next harvest, Victoria must import largely of breadstuffs. The same condition of matters prevails in New South Wales, which will probably even to a greater extent be dependant on foreign supplies. The natural inference to be drawn from these statistics is that great firmness in the price of flour will prevail for a considerable time, if indeed there be not an advance to extreme rates. There are, however, other considerations suggested by the failure of crops more important than those of prices, because of the influence they have upon the future. A dispensation of Providence called by the name of calamity, or by what other name we may please to call it, however painfnl in the endurance, may in the end prove a blessing as inciting to greater diligence and the use of the best means of both a preventive and productive character. As an illustration, the ravages in the wheat crop in South Australia by red rust have led to the institution of a commission of enquiry into its origin and nature, and although at present any definite conclusions cannot be said to have been arrived at, yet the evidence which has been brought forward relative to the matter has brought to light very many facts which, in their extended application must have a valuable effect in their practical bearing on the science and practice of agriculture. The necessities of the case have led to the remodelling of the constitution of " the Agricultural Society of New South Wales," of which the objects, as appears by the prospectus, "are the association of persons desirous of disseminating such information amongst those who derive their subsistence directly from the land, as may enable them to obtain the highest results from the application of skill, energy, and capital to pastoral and farming pursuits ;" again "to promote good husbandry, including improvement in the breeding and treating of live stock by the enlightened combination of practice with Ecience j" and further, " to unite and strengthen local bodies for harmonious and progressive action." In Tasmania, which has during the past season suffered materially from rust, the idea is propounded of " the formation of Farmers Clubs in the various districts," and it is suggested "thatevery rural centre of population should have its Club, so bhat the farmers in its vicinity could 3asily attend its periodical meetings for

discussion, and if thought desirable, each c might have its local exhibition." The s whole of these clubs should be in con- r necfcion with a central society, "of which c the principle duties would be to intro- v duce new stock and vegetable products, and offer premiums for their improve- j ment, provide for the analysis of soils a and manures, investigate the various b diseases incidental to animal and vegetable o life, and in various other ways to afford n information to the farmer." It must be understood that these associations or clubs are in no case intended to supersede the local shows, but on the con- i E trary will be found materially to ad- tc vance them. The chief end is to excite tl: discussion, and to bring about a com- £' parison of experiences to induce study f as to peculiar conditions of soil and 2limate, and in short in every way to i n jlicit the information which shall have to

its influence on successful farming. In every locality some men are to be found who have paid special attention to agriculture as a science, who are able to enter minutely into detail as to the atmospheric and other conditions affecting the growth of the plant, the chemical changes necessary in certain soils to promote fertility, and who are conversant with agricultural chemistry generally. Yet the information in the possession of such men is comparatively valueless to the community, because but little opportunity offers for disseminating it. On the other hand, scientific, and practical men, engaged in the rearing of animal produce, have accummulated valuable information, perhaps not at the moment specially advantageous to themselves, but which would prove of the greatest value to their neighbors, yet the means for its propogation are wanting. The recurrence of the annual show of the province or colony in no way provides for this. The associations of individuals at an annual gathering are too occasional aud hurried to prove of much practical advantage. The after dinner proceedings of the late meeting of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association were confined to the necessary routine business, and the meeting separated without a single suggestion that could have any practical influence on the prosperity of either the one or other of the pursuits to further which the association was formed. Such would not be the case if the idea were carried out of the establishment of local clubs. Of the subjects considered at the local meetings, some would find their way to the central association for final disposal, and the ability and experience of the whole province would be brought into operation for the generalbenefit. With the extension of interest would come in reality a concentration of effort, and the individual exertions which under the present want of system are powerless for good would be so blended and fused with those of others that the results achieved would ultimately be greater than even the most sanguine X>£ their promoters had contemplated. The attractions of the annual gathering of the parent society would by this course be materially increased, and the institution itself would realise not only a provincial importance, but a standing of authority in the colony, and of reference by the surrounding colonies. One thing is certain that if much is to be accomplished beyond the mere results of patient plodding and preserving individual industry — if Southland is to take her proper place as a great producing country, and to develop theresources which Providence has placed within her boundaries, it must be by the union, not merely the effort, [but of mind directing efforts. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, and it is often by a judicious use of other men's labours that our own success is achieved. "We doubt not but that the suggestions now made will have the consideration to which their importance entitles them from the parties interested in carrying them out.