A meeting of the Lilydale Board of Agriculture was held February 6th, 1893. Present— The chairman (Mr W. Sommerville), Messrs. J. Sulzberger, W. Orr, D. McLennan, J. M'Gaughey, F. Proctor, L. Bardenhagen, W. Doak, J. Power, Jos. Phillips, N. Turner, and J. Marx (hon. sec.)
Black Spot. — The secretary informed the board that the Rev. B. H. Thomson had paid a short visit to the district for the purpose of inspecting the results of the winter spraying for black spot, conducted under his directions, visiting the orchards of Messrs. Phillips, Turner, M'Lennan, and Marx. Mr Marx's orchard, being one of those placed at the disposal of the Government entomologist, was carefully inspected by him (a report of which has already appeared in the Press). The best returns were obtained from the Bordeaux mixture. Varieties treated by the Bordeaux mixture were Crambey's seedling, winter majetin, Sturmer pippin, scarlet pearmain, The three latter sorts were almost entirely destroyed by the spot last year, particularly the Scarlet pearmain, of which not one apple escaped. From present appearances the scarlets should average 60 percent., Sturmer 70, winter majetin 80, and Crambey's seed ling almost clean.
Rain Gauge. — The secretary stated that he had been supplied with rain gauge by the meteorological observer, and had forwarded register of rainfall for the month of January. Board's Area. — A discussion arose on the area represented by the board, it being eventually decided that the road district of Tankerville, with the addition of the village of Underwood, would be sufficiently large, as it would be difficult for members to attend from a greater distance.
New Members —Several farmers having expressed a wish to become members, the following were proposed and unanimously elected, subject to the approval of the Council of Agriculture :— Messrs. G. Brown, G. Somerville, R. Evans, J. W. Wolfe, O. E. Beaver, C. Grandfield, jun , J. Doak, J. Poxon, S. Phillips.
The following paper, "A List of Questions," prepared by Mr Orr, was read by him : — I wish to bring before your notice the urgent necessity for a better market, either by the establishment of some permanent indnstry or thereby increasing our powers of consumption within ourselves, or by making it easier and cheaper to reach the foreign market. It would seem to be the all-round policy of our representatives and members of the Council of Agriculture to do all in their power to increase the supply. One can scarcely take up a paper without being met with the same continual and lamentable cry of more production. The fact that the whole of Australia requires to be taken into consideration is too often lost sight of. One of our writers on political economy says "that to keep the streams of production in active flow consumption is necessary, and the consumption that directly and steadily promotes production is in fact promotive of public wealth, but a great production without a corresponding consumption cannot for a long time be continued." If we have not yet reached the latter condition in Tasmania it is my opinion that we are fast approaching it. Therefore I beg to submit the following question relevant to the subject, in the hope that we may be mutually benefited thereby.
1. Is agriculture a profitable speculation in Tasmania, and if not why not?
2. With a view to remedy the present depression, would it be practical to settle the laboring classes on the land ; and, if so, on what conditions ?
3. How is it that Tasmania being an agricultural country does not grow sufficient wheat to supply her own market?
4. Seeing that Tasmania produces wool second to none in the world, why can we not manufacture our own woollen goods instead of depending mostly on other countries for that commodity ?
5. Seeing that Tasmania can compare favorably with England, France, and Germany in climate and soil, could we not grow the sugar beet as well as those countries mentioned, and make our own sugar ?
6. Seeing that small farmers in Ireland, Belgium, and Holland find such a profitable speculation in the cultivation of flax and hemp, would the farmers in Tasmania not reap tbe same benefit bv growing it with a view to send to the English market, or what is to prevent it being manufactured in this colony, whereby we could not only supply our own demands, but also claim a fair share of the Australian market?
7. Seeing that we have raw material in our possession in the form of hides and skins, why do we import such quantities of harness, boots, and belting?
8. Taking into consideration the importance of our fruit industry, and seeing the difficulties our exporters have in getting shipping companies to make proper arrangements for the preservation and management of the fruit when under their care, would it not be both practicable and profitable for the colony to purchase a small fleet of steamers, and run all our surplus produce to tbe best markets?
9. What benefit will Tasmania derive from the federation of the Australian colonies!
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theless they are well within tbe limits of practical possibility, and nothing but what could be accomplished in this colony if the people were determined. Mr Orr's paper was received, and Mr W. Somerville undertook to write a paper on "Agriculture in Tasmania : Is it profitable, and, if not, why not?"
LILYDALE. (1893, February 17). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 3. Retrieved July 14, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153362706