WHEATGROWING IN AUSTRALIA. 41 



Under any conditions it is essential that the share farmer must 

 have certain qualifications. It could not be expected that the 

 landowner would consent to allow him to work valuable land other- 

 wise. Practical experience of wheatgrowing is required, together 

 with a good personal character. Local experience is also usually 

 required, and in any case it would be the wisest course for any 

 man to secure in his own interests such experience before 

 endeavouring to start farming on shares.. In Australia the man who 

 is in earnest, and determined to go on the land, will find no diffi- 

 culty in obtaining such experience. There is a good demand for 

 willing farm workers at a rate of wages that will allow a thrifty 

 man to put something by, while he is gaining a practical experience 

 and a knowledge of local conditions. Once he has those he will not 

 find it difficult to obtain the chance to start working on shares. 



The share farmer has to find his own dwelling, and support 

 himself and family. In some cases the owner erects the dwellings 

 under special terms, but usually, as the farmer hopes to only be 

 engaged for a few seasons share farming, the building is of a cheap 

 nature, as the climate is temperate. 



A man with $1440.00 or $1920.00 can purchase horses and 

 obtain a plant, financing himself for a couple of years without de- 

 pending too much on credit. Men have started with less and 

 succeeded, as examples given later will show. It is not necessary 

 to purchase a complete plant, and, as already stated, the more ex- 

 pensive implements can be purchased on terms. A man can handle 

 200 to 300 acres, and at the ruling prices for wheat of recent years, 

 taking the average obtained by good farmers, the returns will run 

 from $9.60 to $14.00 per acre and more for his share. In addition, 

 after ploughing and sowing is completed, a team of horses will 

 earn good money at contract work in the district, carrying on the 

 roads and so on, until harvest time. In this way a farmer in three 

 or four years, perhaps less, will be in the position to take up land 

 on his own account on a private or Government subdivision, and 

 start in to build a permanent and comfortable home for himself and 

 his family. 



While share farming he has proved his capability and obtained 

 the confidence that comes with experience, together with a valuable 

 knowledge of local conditions, which is a great help in selecting 

 land for purchase. 



It will be seen that share farming affords exceptional oppor- 

 tunities for the energetic man with a small capital. He can start 



