May 2, 1908.J Agricultural Gazette of N.S.IJ . 357 



The Narroiiiiiie district, ouo in wliicli tlie most recent expansion is 

 taking place, is in the Central Western plain, and has an average annual 

 rainfall of about 20 inches. This district in the past has averaged 16, 

 IS, and 20 l)ushels per acre; and as much as 40 bushels ]ier acre from 

 t)00 acres and 2.") busliels per acre from •5,000 acres have been obtained. 



The temperature is certainly high at tinjes in tlie summer (December 

 and January), tlie thermometer during the hottest part of the day often 

 registering over 100 degrees Fahr., but owing to the dryness of the air 

 this heat can be borne with considerably less discomfort than can much 

 lower temperatures in iiuiister climates. For two or thriv months in the 

 middle of the sunmier the conditions during the lieat of the dav may be 

 trying, l)ut during the remainder of the year the climate is ideal, the 

 winters being so mild that stock need no sheltering, and even fatten on 

 pasture during that season. The districts are reniarkal>ly healthy, and 

 it is possible to live out of doors all the year round. Occasional droughts 

 or periods of scanty rainfall are met with, Init farmers are learning how 

 to provide for them, and l)y new methods how to make the most of tlie 

 moisture that falls, so that the injurious effects of drought are lessened, 

 and in the future are likely to lie still further reduced. Nature is usually 

 so good that when she occasionally frowns folks are apt to be unprepared 

 and to become alarmed. The climatic advantages of these districts far 

 outweigh their disadvantages, and it is ([uestionable, when all things are 

 considered, whether many more desirable places for residence are to be 

 found. 



Classes of Land. 



The wheat districts comprise all classes of land, from plain open country 

 with belts of timber or scrub, to fairly open or timljered umlulating or 

 hilly country. In the open plain country the soil is chiefly rich black 

 loam, which is not considered as suitable for wheat as the red friable 

 loamy soil found on tlie timbered or scrul) lands. 



The quality of the land is very good, easily worked, and naturally 

 drained ; for several years profitable wheat crops can be grown in succes- 

 sion without manure, and witli indifferent cultivation. In the districts 

 now devoted to wheat-growing, it is likely that wheat will always be the 

 principal money crop, and when it is grown in conjunction with the culti- 

 vation of oats, barley, rape, tares, peas, sorghum, and other crops suitable 

 for stock feeding, there is not the slightest doubt that its profitable culti- 

 vation can be carried on for an indefinite period. The unimproved value 

 of land in these districts ranges from £1 10s. to £2 10s. per acre. 



Size of Farms. 



With the implements now on the market, a good farmer can plant 

 and care for 200 acres of wheat, and some hard-working energetic men 

 manage 300 acres. In the settled districts, wheat farms range in size from 

 300 to 600 acres ; but farms of one, two. and three thousand acres are not 

 uncniiniKiii. When fenced, cleared, and provision made for water, they 



