WHEATGROWING IN AUSTRALIA. 51 



the township. If he is within 10 miles of the township he will obtain 

 his bread supply from the local baker, although, of course, many 

 housewives do their own baking. In the country districts, however, 

 bread and stores are delivered long distances, 20 miles and more. 



The smallest country town has its church, school, post and 

 telegraph office, bank, savings bank, stores, blacksmith's shop, hotel, 

 and so on. There is usually a School of Arts, with a circulating 

 library. 



The country districts enjoy a system of local government, and 

 the farmer elects the councillors who manage local affairs. 



He has his annual show, usually an annual race meeting. 

 There are football and cricket clubs for his boys. Open-air sports 

 are popular in the country districts of Australia, and are a splendid 

 means of bringing the young fellows together. 



The Agricultural Bureau or Farmers' Associations' meetings 

 provide intercourse with other men on the land. Farmers' picnics 

 or carnivals are an annual function in many places. , 



Within 2, 3, or 4 miles away, according to the size of his farm, 

 there are neighbouring farmers and their families. The settler is 

 not an isolated unit in a strange land, but is living in a civilised 

 country amongst civilised progressive people, enjoying the advan- 

 tages and facilities of modern conditions, and living under a system 

 of political and religious liberty. 



To all white men Australia, with its vast tracts of untilled 

 wheat land, holds out a welcome hand. The self-reliant man, with 

 a small capital, can come to Australia, confident that with energy 

 and attention to his work he can build up a prosperous career, and 

 rear his children in a contented home surrounded by health and 

 happiness, helping in the making of a young, clean nation, part and 

 parcel of an enlightened race. 



