674 Journal of Agricultttrc. [8 Nov., 1907. 



vegetables is grown, water being available by means of a windmill, and 

 the small flower garden and lawns are showing good promise. 



Buildings, etc.- — The new milking shed — to accommodate 22 cows — has 

 been completed, and the adjacent yards substantially fenced. These are 

 now l>eing paved with bricks and in a short time will be ready for occu- 

 pation. Arrangements are concluded for installing a milking machine 

 pl.int, and plans for a brick dairv and separator house are nearing 

 completion. The dairy will l)e fittrd w irh a turbine separator and complete 

 milk testing plant ; an efficient water sui)ply will be provided. The 

 buildings are so designed as to admit of ready extension as re(]uired. 

 Nearly all the old interior fences and useless buildngs on the farm have 

 been removed and convenient yards and paddocks erected in their place. 

 An ornate drive to the homestead has been fenced with sawn timber 

 po3ts and planted with ornamental shelter trees. iConsiderable work has 

 been necessary to maintain the old boundar\- fences, Imt these are about 

 to be replaced by a, substantial wire-netting fence. 



Brickmaking. — This has proved a success ; the sample turned out 

 was of good quality and burned specially hard for paving purposes. The 

 first kiln was fired on the 15th August and the second on the 27th 

 September, whilst sufficient bricks are made to immediately fill a third 

 kiln. Each kiln yields about 30,000 bricks. About 7,000 bricks have 

 been sold to settlers and there are many inquiries for more. The plant 

 used is known as a wire cut machine and has a cai)acit\ of 1,000 liricks 

 per hour. The motive power is provided by the traction engine. The latter 

 is simply invaluable for pulling down trees, ploughing, and scarifying, 

 drawing heavy loads, shifting buildings, pumping, sawing, chaff and silage 

 cutting, &c. 



Sundries. — Nearly all the labour on the farm is done by settlers, and 

 while none of it mav be classed as skilled in the ordinary .?ense, little 

 recourse to outside help for tinsmith, blacksmith, carjx-nter or building 

 labour in necessary. The ordinary work of the farm bexond that already 

 referred to comprises timber splitting for fencing and firewood, carting, 

 drain making, repairing plant and harness. A new farm drav fitted with 

 a large frame has been purchased. 



Every advantage has l:een taken In the settlers to hire the farm 

 implements — a convenience much appreciated. Models of grading tools 

 have been prepared to assist lecturers and a complete set of grading tools 

 was exhibited at ^Melbourne and other shows. Numbers of surve\s have 

 been made for settlers ; irrigation ditches laid out, and advice given on 

 irrigation subjects. A considerable amount of valuation for the Lands 

 Purchase Board has also lieen done. 



Educational. — Scarcely a day passes without some visitor seeking in- 

 formation or advice. Lectures have been given at the farm as follows : — 

 loth July, Demonstration " Tree Pruning," G. PI. Tollev. 

 30th July, " Pig Raising and Bacon Curing," W. Smith. 

 24th Aug., " Diseases of the Horse." W. J. Colebatch, B.Sc 



M.R.C.V.S. 

 27th Aug., " Artificial Fertilizers," F. E. Lee. 



Board. — During the (juarter the Advisory Board met at the farm on 

 5th July and 27th September; and in .Alelbourne on 6th September. On 

 26th September a large number of settlers assembled to meet the Hon. Geo. 

 Swinburne, M.L.A. (Minister of Agriculture and Water Supply) and the 

 Hon. D. Mackinnon. M.L.A., to explain their difficulties in securing a 

 supply of water. 



