The Washington herald., 1909-01-10
AGRICULTURE Tn AUSTRALIA
Bill introduced to Create a New
National Bureau.
VIII Not Interfere with State De-
paTtmeHts or Cripple Any of
Their Powers.

The attorney. general Of Australia has
introduced in tire House Of Representa-
tves CT Melbourne g bill for the creation
OF a commonwealth bureau Of agricuI-
ture. Il is not intended 20 abolish the
state departments Of agriculture now in
existence in each state. The functions Of
the new bureau are as follows
~laJ The acquisition and diffusion
among the people % the commonwealth
q information connected with agricui-
ture. dairyiGg. horticuIture vi;iculture,
live stock. and forestry; Oh the C0llec-
ton. propagation. and distribution Of
new and valuable seeds and plants, Cc)
the carrying out Of experiments and In
vestigation: Id the investigation Of pests
and diseases affecting plants OF live
stock and the means Of preventing their
spread or effeCting their eradication. (e)
the publication Of reports Of the expert
menJs Of experimental farms. % the
publication Of reports and bulletins deal
ing with any matter Of Importance IL re
gard 10 production IN Australia. and 20
such other functions as are prescribed"
Power is given 70 the commonwealth 70
make an arrangement with the govern
ment OF any state for the carrying out OF
experiments and Investigations. the sup
ply and distribution Of information. the
exchange and distribution OF seeds and
plants. and any matters conducting &c
the development IN Australia Of the agri-
cultural. pastoral. dairying, horticultural,
and viticUltural industries and forestry.
The government Of South Australia
has recently purchased 1870 acres Of land
for the purpose Of encouraging and
demonstrating the best modern methods
In dairy farming. a government dairy
expert wiz be placed in charge Of the
farm, and the milking herd VIII consist
principally OF ShOrthOrns. with a few
Jerseys. Red Polls. Ayrshires. and Guern-
seys, the latter 10 be used chiefly for
cross breeding and 70 demonstrate The
special qualities OF the different breeds.
II is intended that students viii be taken
at the farm. and a special course in
every branch Of dairying milking. breed
ing. fodder cultivation for milk prcduc-
ton. &c. taught by qualified officers.
The suburban orchards Of the state Of
Victoria are 10 be subjected to strict in
spection by the government
The fruit growers Of Victoria have long
maintained that the small garden Of the
householder in the suburbs. in many
cases comprising 2 tree or two only, IS a
breeding ground for cooling moth, scale
and other diseases which ind their way
from city 10 country districts. officers Of
the department Of agriculture have been
detailed 10 make hOuse-tO-hoUse visits in
all cities and towns. and wherever fruit
trees growing in gardens or back yards
are found 20 be diseased the owners viii
be instructed 20 eradicate the disease.
Failure 20 comply with these fnstruc-
tons within three weeks will mean prose
cutiOn and that the government will do
the work and charge the cost Of eradica-
ton 10 the owner Of the affected trees
The ordinary examination OF orchards in
country districts viii be continued with
renewed activity.