2nd Progress Report - Part 2

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This transcription is complete

WEDNESDAY, 10th APRIL, 1918.

Present: J. O. Giles, Esq. (Chairman). B. L. Clarkson, Esq. H. H. Paynter, Esq.

ARTHUR HENRY SCOTT, Irrigation Expert, Department of Agriculture, examined:

11670. To the CHAIRMAN: My official designation is officer in charge or irrigation work.

11671. With regard to the Brunswick State Farm, at what date did your connection with that farm begin?—I made an inspection of the farm shortly after it was purchased in October, 1907, in the company with the Hon. Mr Mitchell and Mr Despeissis who was then acting director of agriculture.

11672. Would you kindly relate the subsequent events that led to the establishment of the irrigation plots there?—I was asked if it would be possible to establish a small irrigation plot at Brunswick for the conduct of certain experimental work there. I gave an estimate of the cost and eventually it was approved. At that time I was not on the permanent staff.

11673. How many acres did you place under irrigation at Brunswick?—To begin with I should like to explain the purposes for which this scheme was established. In the annual report of the Director of Agriculture, Mr Despeissis, in 1908, he states the reasons to be: to demonstrate with the assistance of irrigation on small areas of land the number of stock that can be carried in this manner, the variety of fodder crops which can be introduced and experimented with in order to ascertain their value for feeding off, curing into hay, and, with the use of silos, conserving in a succulent form. For the first year—1908—five acres were laid down. In 1909, 21 acres were under irrigation, that is, the area was extended by 16 acres.

11674. Has it been subsequently extended further?—Yes, it was extended but I cannot tell you exactly what the area is as I ceased to have control of this in 1910; it was taken away from me at that time. The information has been wired for to the manager of the farm.

11675. Why was the control of this irrigation plot taken from your hands in 1910?—I was appointed permanently to my present position in 1909 to give advice to farmers which embraced irrigation works over the whole of the State, also drainage, stock and domestic water supply.

11676. You can only give us your experience, therefore, up to 1910, so far as the Brunswick farm is concerned?—I can give you really up to 1912 as I was called in from time to time up to that period. The farm then had its own irrigation manager.

11677. Do you consider that up to 1912 the experimental irrigation conducted at the Brunswick State Farm was successful?—Undoubtedly.

11678. Do you consider it is successful to date?—No, for various reasons. For one thing, I have not been in touch with the farm for the last three or four years though I consider I should have been. The reports of the file show that there was neglect owing to want of knowledge to a large extent. From time to time I pointed this out in very forcible language. I have papers here showing that I wrote in 1912 to my superior officer pointing out in strong terms the defects. I will read this— I regret to note the condition of the Lucerne crops at the Brunswick State Farm. Most of the land is dirty with weeds, grass, and old cut Lucerne, which impedes proper irrigation, and is a harbour for insect pests. The cutting of Lucerne has not been maintained as the plant requires, and this means loss of a considerable amount of fodder. The actual cutting of the crops is not satisfactory, the knives of the machine should be kept sharp, and spare ones should always be on hand. The Lucerne should be cut close to ensure the best returns. Again, when the Lucerne is cut it should not lay on the ground any longer than absolutely necessary to cure it. Many of the bare patches have been caused by want of care in this direction. I saw no sign of any cultivation on the crops. Up to a few days ago one of the ditches had been cleaned and was covered with a mat of seeding couch. This means that the couch seed is distributed all over the plots when irrigating. No one at present on the farm has the first idea of management of an irrigation area. Men new to the work seem the order of the day. Several experienced men have been working on the farm during the last twelve months, but, after a few weeks, they leave. The treatment of the pumping engine and pump has been disgraceful. The general want of care and consideration for the irrigation area shows that it is impossible to make the proposition an object lesson as was first intended.

11679. What was the effect of that letter. Did you notice any improvement afterwards?—No, not in the irrigation. I think that they have since made a great effort from time to time to overcome the damage done.

11680. Do you consider the management satisfactory now?—That I cannot say. I have been away from the department for a considerable period in camp and on long service leave.

11681. Do you consider it in the best interest of the State that such experiments as have been carried out at the Brunswick State Farm should have been under your direction?—Yes. If it had been under