WHEATGROWING IN AUSTRALIA. 25 



saddle, &c. Minor implements and tools for fencing, carpentering, 

 building, and so on will be wanted, and altogether it would be we 1 ! 

 to reckon that working plant generally will cost about $2400.00. 

 To work a large area would not cost more proportionately by any 

 means ; it is reckoned that an area of 600 acres of cultivation costs 

 about $3360.00 for working plant. 



All the above parts of the plant would not be required at once, 

 and the above amounts can be greatly reduced by obtaining smaller 

 implements, lighter horses, and so on. Furthermore, it is not neces- 

 sary that the full amount should be paid down for the plant.. Cash 

 would have to be paid for the horses, but machinery and most of 

 the balance of the plant can be acquired on terms, part payment 

 being in cash, while the balance runs over till after harvest, or even 

 over two seasons. Usually one-third is paid in cash, and the balance 

 about February or March, after the farmer has received the money 

 for his crop. It is to the interest of the machinery firms, store- 

 keepers, and others who do business with the wheatfarmer to help 

 him as far as possible, especially in the early years, and in Aus- 

 tralia, when a man shows he is honest and hard-working, he will 

 receive every consideration in this direction. 



The wheatgrower has also to allow for the keep of himself 

 and his family while waiting for his crop to ripen. 



In the above plant a stripper-harvester has been allowed for, 

 but if a stripper and winnower be used instead, the cost for imple- 

 ments would be about $120.00 less. On the other hand, more labour 

 would be required to work them. The utilisation of the stripper- 

 harvester is the most popular method of taking off a wheat crop. 



4 



The stripper is an Australian invention. It is a machine drawn 

 through the ripe standing crop by three or four horses attached to 

 its side.. The horses walk in the stubble of the harvested portion. 

 The ripe ears coming within reach of the machine, which has a 

 5-ft. cut, are gathered by a comb, and directed to a cutting plate, 

 where the beater drum cuts them from the straw and threshes the 

 grain out. At the same time the grain, with the chaff and some 

 straw, is thrown into a receptacle at the back of the machine. 

 When this is full the stripper is driven to a picked place in the 

 paddock and emptied. Here a winnower has been placed, and the 

 mixture of grain and rubbish out of the stripper is put through 

 this winnower, which cleans and bags the wheat ready for market. 

 In fair crops one winnower, with four men to work it, will keep 

 two strippers going. 



