26 THE farmers' handbook. 



With the exception of the south-east part of the Wagga Stock District., 

 where some hilly country is met with, the transport is good and easy, the 

 soil being firm and fairly hard, except on the Hats, where the roads are wet 

 and sticky in winter. Transport generally is good and easy, the soil setting 

 firm and hard under prevailing traffic conditions, but there are many in- 

 stances in the hilly parts of long and heavy grades, necessitating the 

 employment of five horses to draw a three-ton load. The local shire councils, 

 however, are gradually effecting improvements in grades and road surfaces, 

 and many deviations have already been made. 



The whole of the country is good for fruit-growing and general agriculture,, 

 the soil being strong and rich. The country is healthy for stock of all kinds. 



The Urana District is for the most part level country, and from light 

 boree to box and pine country within the wheat belt. About one-third 

 of the area is good agricultural land, and the district is well watered by 

 creeks, such as the Billabong and others, which, although not permanent, 

 afford good facilities for water conservation. Good stock water is obtainable 

 over the greater part of the district by boring to a depth of about 120 feet. 

 The soil is for the most part a heavy loam, and in parts a stiff clay of 

 a rich nature which is good for agriculture, and grows fattening grasses. 



The climate is good and temperate, though subject to dry spells, with an 

 average rainfall of about 18£ inches, December to March being the driest 

 months. The average summer temperature is 75 degrees Fah., and in> 

 winter 48 degrees. 



Wheat is successfully grown in the eastern and southern parts. A good 

 deal of cultivation is carried on about Lockhart. The western part of the- 

 district is for the most part grazing country. 



Box and pine are general over the whole district, with stunted red gum 

 along the creeks. 



The western part of the district is mostly plain country, with timber along 

 the creeks. The grasses are fairly fattening, and the country carries one 

 sheep to 2 acres. 



To clear dead timber for cultivation costs from 10s. to 25s. per acre ; 

 and for grazing about 4s. per acre. These prices apply to box and pine. 



The supply of timber for fencing is limited ; box and pine are used for 

 posts. The fencing is generally light in character, with fewer posts than is 

 usual in other parts of the district. For six- wire cattle and sheep-proof fence- 

 with posts 16 to 18 feet apart, and wooden or patent droppers, the cost is 

 about £75 per mile. 



Rabbit fences, with 12-foot panels, four-wire (one barbed), and 42-incbi 

 netting, ,£1 60 per mile. 



Well sinking, with timber, costs about 10s. per foot, and tanks about Is. 

 per cubic yard ; 2s. 6d. per chain is paid for tank drains. 



Generally speaking, the eastern part of the district is the richest and most 

 suitable for agriculture. The extension of the railway from Lockhart has 

 promoted agricultural settlement. In the western portion, with its much 

 lower rainfall, irrigation from the natural watercourses will be needed to- 

 render agriculture remunerative. 



Corowa Land District.— One quarter of this district is undulating, the- 

 rest level. There are no creeks, but it is watered by the Murray. The soil 

 is a rich loam for the most part, in part heavy loam. On the low sand 

 hills there is sandy loam. It is mostly all good agricultural land. 



