FARM LANDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. \9 



about Lfi miles. An extension from Cowra t«> Canowindra is now completed 

 and a further extension is nearly completed to Eugowra, which will open u|> 

 further agricultural land in the south-western corner. There is a railway 

 line branching off the western line from Wallerawang which runs northerly 

 via Mudgee and Merrygoen to Coonabarabran, with a connecting line from 

 Merrygoen to 1 >ubbo. 



Bathuist lies in the centre of an undulating plain, and there is a good 

 deal of level country south and west of the Canoblas Range from Molong 

 to the south-west limit of the district. 



The remainder is from undulating to hilly and mountainous. Near the 

 extreme east lies the great dividing range, stretching northwards through 

 counties Bligh and Phillip. The south eastern corner is also mountainous, 

 and in the western portion are the Canoblas Ranges and the hills about 

 Blayney. 



The climate may be classed as temperate over the whole district, being 

 mild in summer and cold in winter, wdien snow is not unusual, especially on 

 the Great Dividing Range, the highest point of which in this district is about- 

 4,000 feet. 



The average summer temperature is about 70 degrees Fah., with a winter 

 average of about -44 degrees Fah., the average for the whole year being 

 between 56 degrees and 58 degrees Fah. The annual rainfall is about 31 £ 

 inches, which is very evenly distributed over the twelve months. 



The country in the neighbourhood of Orange and Millthorpe is undulating 

 to hilly and rough, the formation being largely granitic and basaltic. The soils 

 in this neighbourhood are, on the wdiole, fairly rich red and chocolate loams, of 

 a rather heavy type, with black soil in the valleys. Mixed farming is carried 

 on, principally cattle, sheep, pigs, wheat, fruit (chiefly apples, cherries, grapes, 

 tfcc), potatoes, and dairying. Marble quarries exist at Borenore, near 

 Molong, and at Caloola. 



East from Orange and towards Lewis Ponds and Ophir the land becomes 

 more stony and shingly on the hills, with black soil in the valleys. The 

 principal farming here is sheep and potatoes. 



Towards Wellington the country is more broken with ridges and valleys r 

 especially about the Macquarie and its tributaries. A good deal of wheat 

 cultivation is carried on here. The soil is very variable, changing from 

 good rich basalt soils to poor sandy soils. Slate and dioritic marble are to be 

 found near Mullion. 



Round Molong the country becomes more open, and varies from undulating 

 to fairly level country. Works are being established for limestone. To the 

 south and south-west of Molong the country varies from flat to hilly, with 

 rich, red, volcanic soil on the flats, and black soil in the valleys. On the 

 high hills the land is generally poor, stony, and scrubby. There is plenty 

 of very fertile soil in this part of the district, especially round Manildra, 

 Eugowra, and Canowindra. Promising shows of phosphate apatite are 

 being explored on Gamboola, near Molong. 



In the south-western corner of the Land Board District the country ranges 

 from flat and undulating to hilly and mountainous, granite and basalt being 

 the principal soil forming rocks. In the lower portions the soils are fairly 

 rich to rich red and chocolate loams, with black soil in the valleys. The 

 land here is principally used for grazing sheep and cultivation of wheat, 

 maize, and oats. Lucerne does well, and is cultivated on the flats along the 

 Lachlan. Fruits, barley, vines, rye, potatoes, and pumpkins are also 

 cultivated in this district, and all do well. 



