CHAPTER XIX.
The farming industry—Technical education for farmers—An agricultural department a necessity—State of farming in Australia—Slovenly methods—New products—Necessity for experiment—Village settlement—Water conservation—Futility of a protective policy.
There is in the Australian colonies, alas! another branch of national industry, more ancient and honourable even than that of mining, and which is even more in need of the wise help of well-wishers, and the sympathy of friendly counsellors. We read and hear of much being done for the mining interest, and no one grudges all that is being done to elevate this most important industry to a position commensurate with its deserts. But what about the patient farmer and toiling husbandman? What is being done by our universities, our governments, our politicians, to help forward the grand old primal industry, and to accentuate the homely old aspiration of "Speed the plough"? Trades unions and guilds exist in plenty, by the laudable efforts of which the position of the artisan has been much ameliorated. Organizations exist, by which the class interests of special sections of the community are jealously guarded, and their rights and privileges conserved. But why is it we hear so
