NEW SOUTH WALES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 51, 26 June 1858, Page 4

NEW SOUTH WALES.

DINNER OF THE AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This dinner took pl^ce on the 27th May, in the Hall of the School of Arts at Sydney." The speech of the evening, in relation to agricultural affairs, was that of the GovernorGeneral, and this we give in full, as reported by the Empire. After the loyal and customary toasts — The President of the Society (the GovernorGeneral) rose and said, he had now to propose " Prosperity to the Society," and he wished that they would excuse him if he went at some little length into the subject of his toast. When he proposed the prosperity of the society, they must recollect that in it the prosperity .of society, the prosperity of this country, the prosperity of the agricultural, the pastoral, and the commercial interests were involved — all were indentified in the prosperity and advancement of agriculture [cheers]. They would allow him to say a few words as to the progress and objects of this society. It was known, probably, to most of those present, that this society was constituted by amalgamation of two other societies of an analogous character, which were created for one common object. To get rid of the difficulties in the way of agriculture was one of the first objects the society proposed for itself. This they conceived could be done by the institution of a model farm in a central part of the country, where all could see what was about to be done, where all could benefit by the improvements which were there to be carried out by the society. The society proposed to apply to the Government for a grant of land, and secondly, for other grauts of money. In farmiug, as they all knew, they required farm buildings, and for the erection of these, capital was required. In ordinary cases the landlord found that capital, and erected the building 3, and gets his interest on that capital, in the shape of rent ; that was to say, that the farmer, after buying stock, implements, material, &c, only earned sufficient to pay his way until he got his crops. He had no doubt that they had all seen the plan and estimates of the building it was proposed to erect, the papers having been distributed about the table. The land they proposed to farm was sufficiently large for present purposes, extending over 250 acres, situate at Parramatta". The sum of ..£II,OOO would be required to construct a farm of this size and kind. He did not think the society could raise this sum, but looking at the effect that the operation of the society and the establishing of such a farm would have upon all the great aud permanent interests of the colony, he thought it was but fair and reasonable that they should follow the example here set by the colony of Victoria, and which was carried out in the United States of America, by calling upon the Government to aid the society to a certain' extent. The understanding was that they should apply to the Government to make the building, and so constitute itself as it were landlord, receiving from the occupants of the farm rent or interest on the capital they laid out. By a scheme of this kind the Goyernment would always hold in its hands a check which would form a sufficient guarantee that the farm was not appropriated to improper purposes, and that the annual grants were properly and advantageously expended. He trusted that they would in this way be able to carry out the institution of a model farm ; but he thought under any other circumstances, the attempt would be hopeless. He thought they could not raise sufficient to erect the buildings themselves, though he believed that they would have but little difficulty in raising sufficient to carry out all that a tenant ought to be expected to do. Now what were the objects with which they proposed to establish this farm ? They wished to show the people of this colony that which had been proved practically to the people of England, that a fair^unount of money spent on land brought a fair and ample return if proper economy were observed, and that they might here at least be able, as it were, to undersell their neighbours by growing (heir wheat under circumstances so profitable or advantageous to themselves that it would render it not worth the while of other countries to send their produce to this market [cheers]. This, he had no doubt, they could do ; the experience of South Australia clearly proved it. They could there grow their wheat at the rate of 4s. Gd. a bushel ; that left them a fair profit ; for if a man could raise 30 bushels of wheat to an acre, they said he had not a right to say his agriculture did not pay him ; and if he found he could only raise 1 5 bushels to the acre, then let him do his duty by the land, and the land would do its duty by him. They all knew that if he were continually putting his hand in his pocket for the purpose of trying different plans for the improvement of his land, his pocket would become empty. He thought that in this model , farm, one of the principal experiments they would make would be the application of different manures, and they would be able at this farm to manure in the best possible manner, and he had no doubt that the experiments of this class would be of the utmost importance. He had heard it remarked, that in England these model farms had not succeeded; but that was not any argument againt their success here. The circumstances of the two countries were entirely different [cheers]. They had reason to expect that success would attend them, if it did not the people in England. There a model farm was nothing ; there were hundreds of them all over the country ; every member of an . agricultural society in England, every agriculturist to a large extent, who had sufficieufcpvealth, carried on experiments and had his own model farm. These experiments would heje be carried on by this society, and these experiments, were essentially wanted in this colony. In England, also, there were hundreds, of manufacturers of agricultural implements, who were thrusting forth new inventions every day. This colouy was obliged to go to England and .America for its agricultural implements, and take their word for their utility, .the people here knowing little or nothing- of their application. But even supposing they were fully acquainted with the operation of the machine in the country for which it was adapted" and where it was made, it was scarcely s likely small farmers would go to Urt6*xpense of importing

thess implements on the chance of their turning out useless when they got them. Having a model farm, and having there shown the economy of various machines, agriculturists would be put iv po§session of valuable information. A machine that succeeded admirably in England or America would not always do here. In America, the timber was of a light character, and their tools were constructed of a slight material, which fitted them for the work they had there to do ; but they were useless with the hard soil and gum-tree roots of this colony. This was another of the many advantages to arise by the establisment of such an institution as this to the cause of agriculture and to society at large. No man could fail to see the advantages of such an institution as this. Although the model farm may not pay, and he did not say that they expected that it would pay, sufficient would be derived from it to defray the cost of working it, and they would be enabled to make many valuable experiments which would be of great importance to the country at large. They would be able to introduce such machines jts would be productive in the course *of a fewyears of enormous benefit to the colony at large [cheers]. He did not know thatj he need say much more. For himself, he looked forward most hopefully to the, results of the establishment of this model farm, if they were supported sufficiently ; withoutsomethingof this kind, he must confess he did not sec his way. He did not say at once they «could contribute much to the benefit of agriculture. All they could do for the present was to award prizes to importers of stock and machinery ; but the giving of a prize to an importer of a machine, whatever it might be, did not effect any improvement in the country itself. A machine might answer for a mere trial, but what they wanted a farm for was that they might have these implements at work regularly, day after day. That was the only way to ascertain whether they "were practically useful and suitable to the country, or whether they were likely to break down. He trusted, therefore, that they would second the efforts of the society — would aid it in doing that which would promote not only the agricultural interest, but also the pastoral, the commercial, and all other interests of the colony. Belying on their support, he begged to propose "The Prosperity of the Society" [cheersj.

Singular Weather. — There-is a story of a traveller at a Pennsylvania hotel who rose from his bed at night to examine the weather, bat instead of looking oat upon the sky, thrust his head through the glass-window of a cupboard. "Landlord," cried the astonished man, " this is very singular weather ; the night is as dark as Egypt, aud smells of cheese !" Behind Time. — A railway train was rushing along at almost lightning speed. A curve was just a-head, beyond which was a station at which the cars usually passed each other. The conductor was late, so late that the period during which the down train was to wait had nearly elapsed ; but he hoped yet to pass the curve safely. Suddenly a locomotive dashed into sight a-head. In an instant there was a collision. A shriek, a shock, aud fifty souls were in eternity ; aud all because an engineer had been behind time. A great battle was being fought. Column after column had been precipitated for eight mortal hours ou the enemy posted along the ridge of a hill. The sun was sinking in the west ; reinforcements for the obstinate defenders were already in sight ; it was necessary to carry the position with one final charge, or everything would be lost. A powerful corps had been summoned from across the country, and if it came up in season all would yet be right. The great conqueror, confident in its arrival, formed his reserve into an attacking column, and led them down the hill. The whole world knows the result. Grouchy failed to appear; the Imperial Guard was beaten back; Waterloo was lost. Napoleon died a prisoner at St. Helena because one of his Marshals was behind time. A condemned man was being led out for execution. He had taken human life, but under circumstances of the greatest provocation, and public sympathy was active in his behalf. Thousands had signed petitions' for a reprieve; a favourite answer had been expected the night before ; and though it had not come, even the Sheriff felt confident that it would yet arrive in season. Thus, the morning passed without the appearance of the messenger. The last moment was up. The prisoner took his place on the drop, the cap was drawn over his eyes, the bolt was drawn, and a lifeless body swung revolving in the wind. Just at that moment a horseman came into sight, galloping down hill, his steed covered with foam. He carried a packet in his right hand, which he waved partially to the crowd. He was the express rider with the reprieve. But he had come too late. A. comparatively innocent man had died an ignominious death because a watch had been five minutes too slow, making its bearer arrive behind time. It is continually so in life. The best laid plans, the most important affairs, the fortunes of individuals, the weal of nations, honour, happiness, life itself, are daily sacrificed because somebody is "behind time." There are men who always fail in whatever they undertake, simply because they are " behind time." There are others who put off reformation year by year, till death seizes them, and they perish unrepentant, because forever " behind time." The allies had lost nearly a year at Sebastopol, because they delayed a superfluous day after the battle of Alma, and came up too late for a coup de \mainy]xx&t twenty-four hours "behind time." Five minutes in a crisis is worth years. It is but a little period, yet it has often saved a fortune or redeemed a people. If there is one virtue that should be cultivated more than "another by him who would succeed in life, it is punctuality ; if there is one error that should be avoided, it is being " behind time." — Leisure Hour. Irish Volunteers. — " Pat," said a gentleman to his servant, " What's all that noise, in tbe street?" "Oh, nothing, sir,- they're only forcing a man to turn volunteer." Tight Boots. — jMy son, if thou wilt wear tight boots, there are three bad things thou wilt- inevitably suffer a bad corn, a bad gait, and a bad temper. — Punch..