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Helping Primary Producer`. Thi inauguration, by the Rail ways and Agricultural Departments, of the Better l"arming Train ranks importantly amono the many steps taken with the object of aiding and encouraging the primary producer. The train, which tours country dis tricts from time to time, has been aptly, <escribed as an "agricultural eColleg6 on wheels." The compre ,hensive, exhibits and the practical instruction given by expert lecturers and demonstrators to educate farm crs in more scientific methods have proved of immense value. o Advantages attributable in a large degree to this mobile college include the substantial increase in wheat yields resulting from improvemenlts in fallowing, crop rotation, selection of seed and seed pickling. The dairying industry has similarly bene fited. The advice of the experts on the train has resulted in the rapid growth of herd-testing associations throughout the State. Unsuitable stock is gradually being weeded out and pure-bred animals are replacing the "scrub". bulls formerly common in dairy herds. The definitely measurable results are a marked in crease in the production of butter fat- per cow and -lower production costs. There are, admittedly, selfish rea sons for this interest by the railways in the man on the land, inasmuch as they cannot fail to participate in the benefits arising from nincreased pro-. duction' and, consequently, 'greater prosperity, to the whole community. Valifable adjuncts of the work of the Better Farming' Train are the lectures and demonstrations ar ranged by the Health and Education Departments in cookery, needlecraft and infant welfare. The establish ment of Infant Welfare Centres at a number of country centres may, indeed, be directly attributed to the information imparted from the train. Impressed by the. desirability of fostering the "travel habit," and by the necessity for a broadening of the knowledge of the people of the primary and secondary industries of the State, as well as the establish ment of a closer understanding be tween city and country interests, the railway administration inaugur ated "National Resources Develop ment Trains" (now familiarly known. as "Roso" trains), which are run as suitable opportunities offer, touring country districts to a pre-arrangedl schedule. The "Reso" trains are completely self-contained. Menls, sleeping accommodaition, bath rooms andl oflice equipment and staff are all provided. The popularity of these tours in normal times has abundantly justified the innovation. Apart from the fact that a prev iously unexploited source of railway revenue. has thus been made avail able, the running of the "Reso" trains lhas been of incalculable value in creating a sympathetic bond be tween the various commercial, in dustrial, agricultural and pastoral interests. Practical assistance is given by the Victorian Railways to the primary producer to 'dispose of his produce. By means of appropriate propaganda the consumption of fruit (fresh, dried and canned). has been greatly increased, with advantage both to the producer and to the railway revenue. The poular fruit juice 'drink stalls conducted by the rail ways have assisted materially in ac hieving the highly -satisfactory re suilts ~obtained. Similarly, the use of dried fruits has been greatly popularised by the issue of recipes and the. baking and sale of raisin bread. -Special drives, concentrating on the disposal of gluts of soft fruits, have "een arranged from time to time, and, in each case the railway sales i and publicity organisa'ions have been the key factors in the campaigns. The Railways Depart ment itself is now the biggest cus tomer of the fruitgrower. In addition to fruit. sales of milkl and milk products, potatoes, onions, and honey have all been stimulated by campaigns conducted by the De partment. Highly gratifying re sults have been achieved in this man nor, and also: by the arrangements made by the railways for the sale of fruit 'and vegetables from special trucks attaclfcd to trains running through country districts. Poultry farmers have similarly benefited by the activities of the rail ways in the direction of constantly impressing upon producers, by ex tensive publicity, the correct meth ods. of packing eggs for transport. The important export trade in lambs has been substantially, as sisted by the railways, by means of widespread propaganda, issued in. co-operation with the Department of Conmmerce,' directing attention to' causes of injury to the carcases and advocating proper methods of hand ling.

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