5 o WHEATGROWING IN AUSTRALIA. 



leads the world.. It is essentially a peaceful country, and so far has 

 been blessed by never having war within its boundaries. Respect 

 for the law, and absence of violent crime is a marked feature of life 

 in the Commonwealth. In the country districts crime is practically 

 unknown, and it is common for houses to be left unguarded, and 

 locked doors are rare. The people are kindly and hospitable, and 

 there is very little class distinction. In its place is an equality of 

 opportunity that opens all avenues to those with ambition. Work- 

 ing men and their sons frequently rise to the highest positions the 

 States have to offer, and such an occurrence is so common as to 

 fail to arouse any comment. In politics there is a universal suffrage, 

 every man and woman having a voice in the government of the 

 country, therefore the laws are framed for the good of the majority. 

 No land offers better or freer social conditions to the homemaker. 

 Advantages offer not only to the settler himself, but he has every 

 reason to hope for a happy destiny for his children. 



As has been stated, the climate is exceptionally healthy and 

 mild. The dry atmosphere, long hours of sunshine and open-air 

 life tend to health and happiness. Indeed it is no exaggeration to 

 say that the fertility of the soil and the congenial climate has 

 greatly lead to easy-going methods of farming, which are not 

 altogether in the interests of the country.. Few countries could 

 carry on their rural industries with similar easy methods ; none 

 would leave the people as prosperous as the people of Australia. 



The information already given shows that the wheatfarmer, 

 except in the most isolated districts, has the facilities for educating 

 his children at little or no cost. Living is cheap on the farm. In 

 most parts of the wheat belt fruit grows luxuriantly, and within 

 three or four years a few trees will provide the settler with suffi- 

 cient fresh fruit for home consumption, and to make jam and pre- 

 serves for the family use. Vegetables can be grown during the 

 greater part of the year, and throughout the twelve months if there 

 is an ample water supply. Ideal settlers' homes are to be met with 

 in all districts a weatherboard or brick cottage, comfortable and 

 roomy, with wide verandahs, covered with creeping grape or pas- 

 sion fruit vines, a few beds of brilliant flowers, a vegetable patch, 

 and an acre or so of fruit trees. Many wheatgrowers combine 

 fruitraising or poultry-keeping with wheatgrowing ; some, in suit- 

 able districts, find great profit in cultivating a vineyard. These 

 developments depend upon the man and his capability and ten- 

 dencies, and upon the co-operation and talents of his wife. 



For his meat supply the farmer usually depends upon his own 

 flock of killing sheep, varied with beef or bacon procured from 



