9 March, 1908.] 



Farm Reports. 



139 



Clearing. — During the quarter the clearing of the lo-acre plot on 

 the high land has been completed and 10 acres of the fiat have been 

 cleared for the plough; also 40 acres have been scrubbed, the saplings being 

 grubbed out. The work was heavy owing to the size of the undergrowth. 

 Care has been taken to reserve such trees as may be required for shelter. 

 and these have been topped to induce thicker growth. 



Buildings, &c.— The dwelling was finished by the contractor on 22nd 

 October and immediately occupied. Tobacco and milking sheds were 

 finished previous to October. 



Forty-five chains of fencing have been erected, consisting of posts and 

 four wires. The farm is now divided into five paddocks. 



THE NEW HOMESTEAD. 



General. — Rabbits have been troublesome and burrows have been dug 

 out and poison laid. Until the clearing is completed they cannot be 

 thoroughly eradicated. 



The open drains have been cleaned out and temporary dams made for 

 stock watering purposes. 



Tobacco leaf has been purchased and classed for the Franco- British 

 Exhibition and arrangements made for the manufacture of locally grown 

 leaf into Plug and Cigars for exhibition. Tobacco growers have been 

 visited and the Tobacco Transplanter introduced to new districts. 



Four men have been employed but owing to sickness a considerable 

 amount of time has been lost. The cutting of the crop wa? done by con- 

 tract. All other work on the farm is done by the four men mentioned. 



The grasshopper plague has been very destructive, completely eating out 

 the millet crops, and greatly damaging the grass. The Maize and Tobacco 

 crops have also suffered, but will recover under suitable conditions. 



Stock. — The number of horses kept is four, viz. : — ^Three draught and 

 one buggv horse. The cattle number fifteen, being mixed cows, steers, 

 and heifers, taken in for agistment from the Rutherglen Viticultural 

 College Farm. 



The stock are looking well, and, excepting the horses, hand feeding has 

 not been necessary. 



