50 TASMAKIAN ADVANTAGES, &C. 



taken advantage of, may lead to Tasmania becoming a 

 mannfacturing and distributing centra for Australia. 



Position. 



Tasmania is very favourably situated geographically, being 

 only a short distance to the south of the mainland of 

 Austi-alia, and, roughly, in a central position with regard to 

 the coast line of that country. It is also in the direct line 

 between New Zealand and South Africa. Its shore line is 

 considerably broken by deep inlets of the sea, and the 

 greater part of the country is near water carriage, thus 

 bringing the markets of the world within easy reach, at a 

 small cost for carriage. 



Climate and Soil. 



The climate is equable and temperate, and the rainfall is 

 regular, so that extremes of drought and heavy floods are 

 unknown ; in favoured situations oranges and lemons can be 

 ripened in the open air ; geranium hedges are common, and 

 snow only lies in the elevated districts. The days are 

 usually bright and pleasant, and the nights, even in the 

 hottest summer, are cool and bracing. 



The central parts of the Island are at an elevation of 1000' 

 to 3000 feet, and it is easy to get a considerable change of 

 climate by travelling a short distance. Upon these upland 

 districts are large lakes, supplying quickly falling streams, 

 from which ample power can be obtained. 



Soil. — The soil is of good average fertility, and in some 

 districts exceptionally fertile. The average crop for the 

 Island is over 20 bushels of wheat to the acre, and 5 tons of 

 potatoes. In some districts the average is considerably 

 higher, and potato crops of 12 tons to the acre are not 

 uncommon. In well-managed orchards three to five hundred 

 bushels of apples are picked per acre. 



