The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-02-24
EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
~ the Aid OF Practical Edseanoa
Agriculture lie Encouraged In
New south Wales.

The Importance attached by the varl-
Gus Australian governments TO the en-
coursgement Of agriculture, especially
by the diffusion Of practical knowledge,
Is shown in the fact that in most Of the
colonies a department Of agriculture
has been established, the official head Of
which Is a member Of the colonial min
istry. In New South Wales the neees-
Elty for providing the means Of techni-
cal agricultural education, ard estab-
hshing a college and model farms in
various parts Of the colony. became
fully recognized, and a site suitable for
G central establishment was selected at
Ham Common, near the town Of Rich
mond, in the H~awkesbury district,
about 80 miles from sydnsy, where an
area OF about 1000 acres was resumed
for the purpose. The buildings and
furnishings Of the college and farm,
low in their seventh year Of existence.
were completed in January, 1895, and
officially opened on the 14th Of April Of
the same year. Accommodation is pro-
vided for 90 resident students, and dur
ing 1895 there was a full roll. TheOret-
icsl as well as practical instruction is
impaired by experts IN every branch Of
agriculture, and experimental work Is
carried on with cereal and other crops.
fertilizers are tested, analyses Of soils
are made and the sris Of dishorninR
and spaying cattle, with other vet.
Urinary surgeon practices, are taught.
The live stock attached to the farm and
college comprises 90 horses, 81 bullocks.
ISL head Of dairy cattle, 40 pigs aud 1870
sheep. There IS an orchard, 30 acres In
extent, and a vineyard, ten acres in ex.
tent, and the cultivation Of plants for
the expression OF seen, has also been
begun.
Beside he practice OF general dairy
farming work, instruction Is impaired
In eheeie making, also IN the manage
ment and breeding Of poultry, in the
rearing Of bees and the preparation Of
honey for the market. IN the killing and
dressing Of sheep, In the carpenters
aad the blacksmith's arts. In he on
struction Of fences, and in various me
chanical trades. There are also ex.
permental farms at Bomen, sO4 miles
from sydney, IN the Murrumbidgee dis.
triei; and at Wolongbar, 366 miles
from sydney, In the Richmond river dis.
triet. The former Is near the town OF
Nagga Wagga, and embraces an area
OF $500 acres, Of which 1900 acres ar,
in cultivation, 1000 acres being devoted
TO growing cereals. Of which 200 acre.
are for seed wheat. the remainder he
Ing utilized for oaten hay and maltips
bailey; sjacrest 10 fruit trees and Crane
vines and so acres to forage plant.
such as maize, sorghum. miTet. barley
rye oats, COW pea, roots. grasses. etc
while eight acres are under olive trees
the remaining portion being taken u
by irrigation plots, nursery. and eS
perimental plots. Quarters have hse,
provided for 20 students, and there ar
also cottages for the manager an.
workmen; likewise barns. a bavsbe.
and stables. There is no natural wa
ter supply, but dams Of 5000, 10000 an,
|, 10000 yards capacity have been eS
eaVated, and are used for supplying wa
ter to the irrigation plots. Some thou
sands OF farmers have visited the farm
since It's establishment. Brooklyn
Eagle.