WHEAT 19 



One Australian invention worthy of notice is the Complete 

 Harvester. This machine not only cuts down the wheat, 

 and threshes the grain from the chaff, but also winnows the 

 grain and puts it into bags, so that it only remains to sew 

 these up and the grain is ready for market. 



The Riverina at present is the chief wheat-growing district, 

 but, as less than one-tenth of the land within the Safety Belt 

 is under cultivation, it is evident that there is room for a great 

 expansion of this industry in the future. New lines of railway 

 are constantly being built, so that transport will soon cease to 

 be a difficulty. 



2. Victoria. Of the crops grown in Victoria wheat stands 

 first, and the districts in which it is chiefly cultivated are the 

 Northern, Wimmera, and Mallee Districts. The Northern 

 District, with a rainfall of from 20 to 25 inches, is situated to 

 the south of the west bend of the Murray River, and contains 

 the towns Echuca and Bendigo. The Wimmera and Mallee 

 are to the west of it. 



Both in South Australia and Western Australia wheat is 

 one of the principal crops. In the former state it is grown 

 chiefly in the neighbourhood of the Spencer and Vincent 

 Gulfs, in the latter south of 28 S. 



Queensland also, like New South Wales, has on her western 

 tablelands and plains vast areas with a soil and climate 

 suitable for wheat, and there is little doubt but that in the 

 future these lands will be covered with crops of grain. 



Although Australia's contribution to the empire's supply of 

 wheat is no mean one, it is evident that it bears but a small 

 proportion to her capacity of production. 



In this connexion again it should be noted that easy 

 communications are absolutely necessary to the success of 

 grain-growing, which cannot be profitably undertaken at 

 a distance of more than twelve miles from a railway station 

 on account of the great cost of haulage. Therefore, there are 

 great areas awaiting the plough that can be put to no practical 

 use until they are traversed by railways.' l 

 1 Dominions Royal Commission. 

 B 2 



