N.S.W. PRODUCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9290, 16 December 1895, Page 5

N.S.W. PRODUCE.

AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, December 14. The Government is losing no opportunity of opening up markets for the produce of the colony. Some time ago the Agricultural Department sent to England a trial shipment of barley with a view of testing the malting properties. The first advices stated that the barley was ruined owing tb the large number of weevils. The Minister for Agriculture, has now re* ceived a report from the AgentGeneral, which states that the barley contained very few weevils, and the shipment was practically undamaged. The Agent-General had the consignment tested by Trueman and Buxton, the well known brewing firm, and they report it a very fine sample, suitable for Burton and pale ales. The firm consider that a very large field is open for Australian barley if it can be landed in good condition and at reasonable rates, and they ask, in order to afford a thorough test, that in future shipments of at least 200 quarters be forwarded. The Minister is so pleased with the report that he intends sowing 150 acres of barley at the Government experimental farm at Wagga. He will send this crop to London for sale, and hopes that it will serve as an object lesson to farmers. Though large areas in the colony are suitable for barley, it is not extensively grown. The Minister desires to stimulate the cultivation of barley, as be believes it will prove a valuable addition to the colony's exports.