15 Di 



1919. 



Ouiien. Far)n Competition. 



713 



very important accessory to life on a Mallee farm. The walls, floors, 

 and stairway are of brick, and a special fireplace and chimney acts as 

 a' ventilator. 



The cellar has a double roof, and is dust and fly proof. The 

 cost is given at £50 for materials and £10 for labour. 



Mr. Lang had the water piped on to his house from the dam, and in 

 Mr. Hunt's case piping was in the course of installation. 



Messrs. Hunt, Harmer, and Gniel have repair shoj^s with a full 

 kit of tools — an important consideration in the Mallee. Mr. Giles has 

 the best implement shed. The waggon could be driven right through, 

 so that backing was unnecessary. 



Two of the competitors had little or no farm buildings. Some of 

 the main faults were — scattered buildings, stables too near the house, on 

 the windward side of it, and inconvenient feeding arrangements. 



Messrs. B'arratt, Vallance, and Hunt alone have sheep-proof fences. 

 Barb-wired and Mallee gates figure largely on all properties except 



"Cabbage Bushes" or "Native Olive" 



-that, of Mr. Hunt, where their place is taken by economically con- 

 stnicted home-made gates of wood. The fencing of Mr. Barratt is 

 most substantial. The fences of boundary and main subdivision are 

 rabbit-proof, elsewhere they are sheep-i)roof. The whole of the fencing 

 is strongly stayed and well strained, and especially commendable. 



SUBDIVISION AND WATER SUPPLY. 

 Subdivision. 



The following factors govern the subdivision of the average Mallee 

 farm : — 



From the point of view of working the block, the most economical 

 position for the homestead and buildings is, of course, in the centre, 

 but a number of considerations usually render it necessary to place 

 the homestead elsewhere. In the first place, it is essential to have the 

 buildings situated near an adequate water supply. West of Cowangie 

 water can be obtained by bores; but elsewhere, except where stock and 



