Better Farming Train (Victoria)

The Better Farming Train was an agricultural demonstration train which toured Victoria, Australia in the 1920s and 1930s to promote better farming practices. It was the first of two agricultural demonstration trains to run in Australia.[1]

K class locomotive on the inaugural Better Farming Train in Gippsland in October 1924.

Background

The idea of special trains to promote better agricultural practices was developed in Canada in the early years of the 20th century. In 1904, special trains brought farmers to the Dominion Experimental Farm in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada to demonstrate farming techniques.[2] From 1914 to 1922, a Better Farming Train ran throughout Saskatchewan.[2]

The Victorian train was devised by Harold Clapp, Chairman of Commissioners of the Victorian Railways, and Dr Samuel Cameron, the Victorian Director of Agriculture.[3] It was operated jointly by the Victorian Departments of Agriculture, Railways, Education and Public Health. The agricultural content of the train was devised by Hubert Mullett, an agricultural scientist with the Department of Agriculture and later Director of Agriculture.[4]

The train
Diagram showing arrangement of the Better Farming Train.
The full train on its inaugural run in Gippsland in October 1924.

The Department of Agriculture described the train as an "agricultural college on wheels".[5] Fifteen carriages were fitted out with displays covering livestock, dairy, crop production, pasture, farm machinery, cooking and infant welfare. The train was painted bright yellow to attract attention[6] and included sleeping accommodation for the 80 staff.[7]

A typical composition, taken from the May 1925 tour, was:[8]

  • Car 1: Special car Victoria[9] for staff accommodation
  • Car 2: Louvre van with electric generator and live stock fodder
  • Cars 3-5: Cattle trucks, each with three padded compartments.
  • Car 6: An open truck with six compartments for pigs.
  • Car 7: A flat car used as a lecture platform.
  • Car 8: A corridor carriage fitted with display tables of agricultural utensils.
  • Car 9: A carriage with a display of veterinary exhibits.
  • Car 10: A carriage of potato exhibits.
  • Car 11: A carriage displaying wool production techniques, various types of weeds and grasses and soil analysis techniques.
  • Car 12: A carriage of fruit production techniques.

Tours

The full train made 38 tours of regional Victoria and into southern New South Wales and eastern South Australia.[10] The displays were varied depending on the area visited, for example dairy in Gippsland and grain in the Wimmera. In addition, the "Domestic" and "Women's" sections of the train, featuring baby health, needlework and cookery, made independent tours to some locations and a Wool Demonstration Train ran in 1934.

The first tour departed Melbourne on 13 October 1924 and toured Gippsland with the first stop at Bunyip.[11] The response from the public was beyond expectations, with some people travelling 60 to 80 miles (97 to 129 km) to see the train, and lecture cars proved to be too small.[12] There were also criticisms of some of the arrangements for the visiting public.[13] Between 500 and 2000 people visited the train at each location[10] and the tour was so successful that a second tour was planned before the first one had returned to Melbourne.[7]

At the end of the 6th tour, Dr Cameron wrote "I have no hesitation whatever in saying that the Better Farming Train ... has made a greater appeal to the practical farmer and the younger generation of agriculturalists than anything that has hitherto been attained in Australia".[14]

Tours became less frequent during the Great Depression and a temporary suspension was considered in 1930, however the Minister for Agriculture William Slater said it had been of inestimable value.[15] With state finances becoming tight, in May 1932 the Commonwealth Bank made a grant of £600 to finance the next tour.[16] The final tour was in 1935 when funding was withdrawn.

Reviving the train was considered in July 1939 if assistance was available from the Commonwealth, however this was prevented by the outbreak of World War II.[17]

Interest from other states

In December 1924, the government of South Australia made enquiries about borrowing the train for a tour of that state.[18] Experts from South Australia visited Victoria in 1926 to examine the train, and there was interest from New South Wales and Queensland.[19] The train eventually toured South Australia in 1929.[20]

New South Wales operated its own Better Farming Train between 1927 and 1929.[21]

Tour locations
TourRegionDatesPlaces visitedNotes
1Gippsland13–23 October 1924Bunyip, Neerim South, Warragul, Yarragon, Mirboo North, Morwell, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Kilmany, Traralgon, Moe, Drouin.[22]
2South Gippsland10–15 November 1924Lang Lang, Meeniyan, Yarram, Toora, Korumburra, Cranbourne.[7]
3Western District1–12 December 1924Colac, Terang, Allansford, Warrnambool, Penshurst, Branxholme, Heywood, Portland, Hamilton, Koroit, Camperdown, Birregurra, Moriac.[23]
4North Central/Goulburn Valley9–21 March 1925Elmore, Cohuna, Gunbower, Rochester, Echuca, Tongala/Kyabram,[24] Tatura, Shepparton, Cobram, Numurkah, Stanhope, Murchison.[25]
-Gippsland16–25 April 1925Warragul, Thorpdale, Moe, Morwell, Mirboo North, Trafalgar.[26][27]Domestic section only.
5Goldfields/Mallee11–22 May 1925Castlemaine, Raywood, Mitiamo, Kerang, Nyah, Kooloonong, Piangil, Swan Hill, Tresco, Pyramid, Dingee, Bendigo.[27]
6North East17–28 August 1925Devenish, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Springhurst, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Myrtleford, Violet Town, Seymour.[28]
7Central Victoria12–17 October 1925Broadford, Alexandra, Yea, Mansfield, Merton, Wallan.[29]
8Midlands/Goldfields9–20 November 1925Sunbury, Kyneton, Redesdale, Newstead, Maryborough, Clunes, Creswick, Newlyn, Daylesford, Trentham.[30]
9Central West30 November - 11 December 1925Ballan, Bungaree, Ballarat, Waubra, Linton, Skipton, Meredith, Geelong, Little River.[31]
-South Gippsland8–13 February 1926Koo Wee Rup, Korumburra, Meeniyan, Toora, Fish Creek, Leongatha.[32]Domestic section only.
-Central Victoria15 February 1926Alexandra.[33]Domestic Arts and Mothercraft cars only.
10Wimmera/Mallee8–20 March 1926Minyip, Beulah, Patchewollock, Hopetoun, Warracknabeal, Horsham, Jeparit, Rainbow, Dimboola, Kaniva, Nhill, Murtoa.[34]
-South Gippsland8–11 June 1926Nyora, Glen Forbes, Anderson, Wonthaggi.[35]Women's Section only.
11Mallee/Sunraysia26 July - 7 August 1926Donald, Woomelang, Underbool, Murrayville, Walpeup, Carwarp, Mildura, Ouyen, Speed, Birchip, Watchem, St Arnaud.[36]
-North East30 August - 4 September 1926Goorambat, St James, Yarrawonga, Benalla.[37]Women's Section only.
12Mallee4–15 October 1926Boort, Ultima, Manangatang, Annuello, Chillingollah, Quambatook, Charlton, Wycheproof, Sea Lake, Kulwin, Culgoa.[38]
13Midlands/Goldfields8–13 November 1926Kilmore, Inglewood, Wedderburn, Marong, Axedale, Heathcote.[39]
14Yarra Valley/Mornington Peninsula6–10 December 1926Whittlesea, Lilydale, Healesville, Somerville, Red Hill.[40]
15Western District/Wimmera21–31 March 1927Inverleigh, Cressy, Lismore, Westmere, Willaura, Glen Thompson, Stawell, Ararat, Beaufort, Burrumbeet.[41]
-Western District30 May-9 June 1927Winchelsea, Colac, Cobden, Mortlake, Panmure, Port Fairy, Koroit.[42]Domestic Section only.
16Mallee/Riverina (New South Wales)11–23 July 1927Goornong, Lockington, Cohuna, Gunbower, Rochester, Deniliquin, Mathoura, Bunnaloo, Moulamein, Balranald, Wakool, Echuca.[43]
17Midlands/Goldfields/Mallee15–27 August 1927Malmsbury, Prairie, Swan Hill, Piangil, Kooloonong, Nyah West, Mystic Park, Murrabit, Kerang, Mincha, Harcourt, Maldon.[44]
18Gippsland10–21 October 1927Warragul, Trafalgar, Mirboo North, Yinnar, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Bruthen, Sale, Rosedale, Pakenham.[45]
19South Gippsland14–19 November 1927Koo Wee Rup, Dalyston, Leongatha, Yarram, Foster, Loch.[46]
20Western District6–16 March 1928Koroit, Hamilton, Cavendish, Balmoral, Portland, Condah, Casterton, Merino, Coleraine, Penshurst.[47]
21Western District7–12 May 1928Winchelsea, Camperdown, Panmure, Mortlake, Colac, Drysdale.[48]Originally scheduled for one week earlier. Postponed to prevent clashing with the Warrnambool Racing Carnival.[48]
22Mallee30 July-9 August 1928Carwarp, Merrinee, Meringur, Werrimull, Red Cliffs, Ouyen, Underbool, Murrayville, Cowangie, Walpeup.[49]
23Goulburn Valley27 August-6 September 1928Nagambie, Colbinabbin, Girgarre, Tatura, Tongala, Shepparton, Dookie, Numurkah, Cobram, Nathalia.[50]
24North East22 October-1 November 1928Euroa, St James, Yarrawonga, Tatong, Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Rutherglen, Tallangatta, Wodonga, Chiltern, Benalla.[51][52]
25Wimmera12–22 March 1929Horsham, Natimuk, Goroke, Toolondo, Dimboola, Kaniva, Nhill, Jeparit, Rainbow, Lorquon.[53]
26Wimmera/Mallee19–24 April 1929Warracknabeal, Beulah, Hopetoun, Patchewollock, Murtoa.[54]
27Central Victoria16–26 June 1929Werribee, Longwood, Seymour, Alexandra, Yea, Mansfield, Merton, Kilmore, Axedale, Heathcote.[55]
28Central Victoria/Goldfields30 July-8 August 1929Trentham, Newlyn, Clunes, Navarre, Elmhurst, Avoca, Carisbrook, Kyneton, Gisborne.[56]
29South Australia7–17 October 1929Bordertown, Murray Bridge, Balaklava, Gladstone, Gawler, Kapunda, Riverton, Mount Barker.[57]
30Western District/Central Victoria24 March-4 April 1930Winchelsea, Cressy, Westmere, Glenthompson, Strathkellar, Willaura, Derrinallum, Moriac, Lara, Diggers Rest, Melton.[58]
31Gippsland23 June-2 July 1930Drouin, Thorpdale, Boolarra, Heyfield, Boisdale, Bruthen, Orbost, Lindenow, Neerim South, Berwick.[59]
32South Gippsland21–29 July 1930Clyde, Yannathan, Meeniyan, Toora, Yarram, Fish Creek, Korumburra, Kernot.[60]
33Mallee/Northern Districts19–30 October 1931Dingee, Swan Hill, Murrabit, Kerang, Pyramid, Rochester, Kyabram, Gunbower, Cohuna, Lockington.[61]
34Western District/Goulburn Valley8–18 March 1932Timboon, Cobden, Stanhope, Tatura, Tongala, Kyabram, Numurkah, Cobram, Shepparton.[62]
35Mallee12–22 July 1932Quambatook, Manangatang, Robinvale, Ultima, Boort, Culgoa, Nandaly, Sea Lake, Wycheproof, Charlton.[63]
36Western District10–19 October 1933Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Hawkesdale, Coleraine, Portland, Heywood, Condah, Merino, Casterton.[64]
37North East18–28 September 1934Beechworth, Cudgewa, Tallangatta, Huon, Wahgunyah, Goorambat, Tungamah, Yarrawonga.[65]
-Central/Goulburn Valley/North East3–16 October 1934Seymour, Mansfield, Yea, Shepparton, Murchison, Rushworth, Nagambie, Euroa, Benalla, Wangaratta.[66]Wool Demonstration Train run jointly with the Country Women's Association.
38Mallee/Sunraysia25 March-4 April 1935Tempy, Underbool, Murrayville, Ouyen, Mildura, Merrinee, Meringur, Werrimull, Red Cliffs.[67]
  • A lecture on pure bred stock
  • Pig truck
  • Daity utensils car
  • Growing pastures (Illustrating beneficial effects of superphosphates)
  • Noxious weeds, edible grasses and wool
  • Cookery and needlewok demonstration car
  • Better Farming Train at Mildura on 2 August 1926.
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See also

References
  1. "NOVEL IDEA - VICTORIAN PRODUCERS BENEFIT - "BETTER FARMING"". Northern Star. 13 August 1924. p. 10.
  2. Hayes, Patrick (15 November 1996). "University History: The Better Farming Train". University of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. ""BETTER FARMING" TRAIN". The Argus. 24 May 1924.
  4. The Journal of the Department of Victoria. 53: 487. 1955. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ""Better Farming" Train". The North Eastern Ensign. 14 August 1925. p. 2.
  6. ""BETTER FARMING" TRAIN". The Argus. 9 October 1924. p. 7.
  7. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN: SUCCESSFUL TOUR ENDS. South Gippsland to be Visited". The Argus. 24 October 1924. p. 13.
  8. "WORK AND PRODUCTION - THE "BETTER FARMING" TRAIN. SCHOOL ON WHEELS". The Mercury. 14 July 1925. p. 5.
  9. "Special Stock - 'Victoria'".
  10. "The Better Farming Train". Department of Primary Industries.
  11. Harrigan, Leo J. (1962). Victorian Railways to '62. Victorian Railways Public Relations and Betterment Board. pp. 265–266.
  12. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Visits Too Brief". The Argus. 20 October 1924. p. 14.
  13. "The Better Farming Train: DISAPPOINTING 'ARRANGEMENTS". Morwell Advertiser. 24 October 1924. p. 4.
  14. The Better Farming Train. Victorian Railways. 28 August 1925.
  15. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Expenditure Being Reviewed". The Argus. 23 July 1930. p. 11.
  16. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Grant by Commonwealth Bank". The Argus. 4 May 1932. p. 11.
  17. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN". The Argus. 21 July 1939. p. 12.
  18. "BETTER FARING TRAIN. Enquiries to be Made From Victoria". The Register. 12 December 1924. p. 11.
  19. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Interest in Other States". The Argus. 19 October 1926. p. 16.
  20. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. VICTORIAN ENTERPRISE To Visit South Australia". The Advertiser. 13 September 1929. p. 31.
  21. "The Better Farming Train" (PDF). State Records NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  22. ""BETTER FARMING" TRAIN". The Argus. 8 October 1924. p. 10.
  23. "BERTER FARMING TRAIN". Portland Guardian. 17 November 1927. p. 2.
  24. "BERTER FARMING TRAIN". The Argus. 17 March 1925. p. 6.
  25. "BERTER FARMING TRAIN". The Argus. 14 February 1925. p. 36.
  26. "DOMESTIC EDUCATION. Train to Visit Country". The Argus. 4 April 1925. p. 30.
  27. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Arranged. Gippsland Tour Extended". The Argus. 22 April 1925. p. 20.
  28. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Arranged". The Argus. 4 August 1925. p. 8.
  29. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Visit to Mansfield". The Argus. 30 September 1925. p. 26.
  30. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour Next Week". The Argus. 5 November 1925. p. 16.
  31. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Arranged". The Argus. 24 November 1925. p. 13.
  32. "DOMESTIC INSTRUCTION. Country Railway Tour". The Argus. 30 January 1926. p. 35.
  33. "DOMIESTIC ARTS AND MOTIERCRAFT CARS TO VISIT ALEXANDRA". Alexandra and Yea Standard. 12 February 1926. p. 2.
  34. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. To Visit Wimmera And Mallee". The Argus. 17 February 1926. p. 15.
  35. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour of Women's Section". The Argus. 24 May 1926. p. 18.
  36. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Eleventh Tour Next Month". The Argus. 25 June 1926. p. 17.
  37. "Better Farming Train. WOMEN'S SECTION TO VISIT BENALLA DISTRICT". The Argus. 20 August 1926. p. 3.
  38. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Begun". The Argus. 4 October 1926. p. 12.
  39. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Kilmore to Wedderburn". The Argus. 30 October 1926. p. 29.
  40. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Plans for Years last Tour". The Argus. 20 November 1926. p. 42.
  41. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN.Itinerary for Fifteenth Tour". The Argus. 14 March 1927. p. 18.
  42. "DOMESTIC EDUCATION TRAIN. Western Districts Tour". The Argus. 3 May 1927. p. 18.
  43. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Visit to New South Wales". The Argus. 25 June 1927. p. 25.
  44. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Next Week". The Argus. 11 August 1927. p. 19.
  45. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Arranged". The Argus. 21 September 1927. p. 20.
  46. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Gippsland Tour". The Argus. 31 October 1927. p. 13.
  47. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Western District Tour". The Argus. 20 February 1928. p. 10.
  48. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Western District Tour Postponed". The Argus. 17 April 1928. p. 11.
  49. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Visit To Newer Mallee". The Argus. 11 July 1928. p. 19.
  50. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour of Goulburn Valley". The Argus. 15 August 1928. p. 17.
  51. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour This Month". The Argus. 6 October 1928. p. 28.
  52. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Chiltern to be Visited". The Argus. 15 October 1928. p. 20.
  53. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour of Wimmera". The Argus. 8 March 1929. p. 18.
  54. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Wimmera-Mallee Tour". The Argus. 10 April 1929. p. 18.
  55. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Improved Exhibits for Next Tour". The Argus. 27 May 1929. p. 18.
  56. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour of Central Districts". The Argus. 27 July 1929. p. 28.
  57. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. South Australian Itinerary". The Advertiser. 14 September 1929. p. 15.
  58. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour in Western District". The Argus. 20 March 1930. p. 14.
  59. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Tour in Gippsland". The Argus. 10 June 1930. p. 14.
  60. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. South Gippsland Tour". The Argus. 5 July 1930. p. 17.
  61. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. October Itinerary Announced". The Argus. 19 September 1931. p. 24.
  62. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Another Tour Arranged". The Argus. 20 February 1932. p. 19.
  63. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Northern Mallee Tour". The Argus. 17 June 1932. p. 11.
  64. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Western District Tour". The Argus. 20 September 1933. p. 11.
  65. "BETTER FARMING TRAIN. Visit to North-East". The Argus. 27 August 1934. p. 3.
  66. "WOOL TRAIN Tour Begins To-day". The Argus. 2 October 1934. p. 12.
  67. "Better-farming Train to Go to North-West". The Argus. 5 March 1935. p. 3.
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