XXXii INTRODUCTION GRAZING DISTRICTS. 



prominently on graziers during recent years, and it has led some pastoralists 

 to experiment with different kinds of grasses and other herbage that were 

 thought to be likely to grow in cold weather. Probably nowhere in New 

 England has more attention been paid to this subject or more experiments 

 been carried out than at Tenterfield Station. It was my good fortune to 

 inspect these pastures and the experiments which have been carried on for 

 a few years past. Although a great deal of money has been spent on some 

 grass mixtures which have not given the results that were anticipated, still 

 it has proved what kinds are best suited to the district, and has also given 

 valuable data on which to carry on any further work in this direction. The 

 work already accomplished is an object-lesson for the whole of the district, 

 and the example set might be more generally adopted with advantage by 

 both graziers and dairymen. Of the great number of exotic grasses that 

 have been sown on this station the following appear to have grown the best : 

 Prairie-grans, different varieties of rye-grass, and cocksfoot-grass. 



SYSTEM OP GRAZING. 



Most of the cattle-stations in New England are not too heavily stocked, so 

 that in any ordinary season the herbage is not only plentiful but it has a 

 chance to produce seed for its perpetuation, which cannot have but a marked 

 effect for good on the pasturage. Many pastures are grazed in rotation, 

 and the effects of such a system cannot be too highly estimated, as it allows 

 the more tender and often most nutritious plants time to recuperate. This 

 plan might be more generally adopted all over the country to advantage. 

 Where the pasturage becomes scanty through unavoidable causes it is a 

 good plan to close paddocks against stock for a time, to allow the grasses 

 and forage-plants to seed. By adopting such a method it is astonishing 

 the good results that would follow in a short time, should the weather 

 be favourable. 



Nearly all over New England there seems to be a general interest taken in 

 pasture plants, and grasses, and information is eagerly sought after as to the 

 merits of any particular grass or plant. This augurs well for the future 

 development of both the pastoral and dairying industry of this fertile 



district. 



CAMDEN AND PICTON PASTURES. 



Both these districts are situated within an easy distance of Sydney, and are 

 much frequented as health-resorts. The scenery is charming and the 

 climate is salubrious. The configuration of this part of New South Wales 

 consists of steeply and gently undulating country and a considerable area of 

 flat land. Almost since the foundation of the Colony these districts have 

 been noted for their fertility, and at one period they w r ere looked upon 

 as the granary of Sydney and the surrounding settlements. Some years ago 

 wheat was extensively grown, and fine crops were harvested, both on the high 

 and on the low lands ; but the " rust " has rendered this crop an uncertain 

 one. Most of these, at one time wheat-lands, are now devoted to 

 pasturage, and the dairying industry is now a very important one. 

 The Picton district supplies Sydney with a great quantity of milk, and 

 creameries and butter-factories are established in the Camden district, and 

 appear to be flourishing institutions. Probably the first person to recognise 

 the value of this part of New South Wales for grazing purposes was the late 

 Captain Macarthur. In a letter written nearly one hundred years ago, and 

 which is now in the possession of Mrs. Onslow, of Camden Park, C'aptain 

 Macarthur says that " the 'kangaroo-grass' is so plentiful here that when in 



