limestone interlaces the clay, and the clay which is often not clay 

 at all, but loam the limestone. The clay derives its name from a 

 clayey sub-soil, and is generally denoted by the thick growth of 

 blackboys or grass trees. The advice which one of the most 

 experienced and capable men who have courteously contributed 

 information would give to a prospective settler is: "If you want to 

 grow corn or fruit trees, rind a place in which redgums and black- 

 boys cluster thickly where the blackboys do not have only one 

 head, as they do when found on the limestone, if they appeal- 

 there at all, but a number of arms or limbs, each crowned with a 

 head. If the short thick girth of the trunk, whence the arms 

 spread out, makes a shade like a young bay tree, under which 

 cattle may shelter from the sun and rain, then put your pegs in and 

 make tracks for the nearest Lands' office, for land that will grow 

 blackboys to perfection will grow heavy marketable crops. You 

 need look no more, for there is no better land to be found in 

 Western Australia with the exception of the swamp land.. for 

 vegetables, or maize, or lucerne. Settle where the blackboys and 

 the redgums thrive, and if you are not afraid of hard work, you will 

 thrive too." 



Having now given a general idea of the soil of the south- 

 western district, it may be as well to take a flying survey along the 

 course of the railway that joins Perth to Bunbury, to see what is 

 being done. The line cuts the very heart of the distiict, and there 

 are to be found in it examples of the best forms of cultivation- 

 orchards, farms, vineyards and vegetable gardens. The trip will 

 indicate the good beginning that has been made towards making 

 " the earth to yield her increase." Ah 1 that is to be deplored and 

 remedied is that there is not one occupier for every score that this 

 fertile tract is capable not only of supporting, but of maintaining in 

 a state of comfort. Here will be found the avenue to a progressive 

 career that within reasonable bounds will only be limited by the 

 energy and resources of each holder to clear additional land, to 

 crop it, to buy implements and stock shrew r dly, and to exercise 

 sound judgment in their use and management. It may be safely said 

 that if a man takes up a piece of the best of the land in the south- 

 west without any surplus cash, but enough to make a successful 

 start, if he puts his mind, his heart and his muscles into his task, 

 the first years will not be easy ones, but his success is practically 

 assured. The best land of Western Australia, unlike that of some 

 of the eastern colonies (but which has long since been alienated), is 

 not found ready cleared by the indulgent hand of nature, or, to 

 speak more truly, is denied a growth of timber. Our best spots 

 are in our heaviest forests of red gum, York gum, salmon gum, 

 peppermint, and blue gum, or are in paper bark swamps, and have 

 to be wrested from thick, deep-rooted, primeval owners, before the 

 idyllic dream is realised of every man sitting in the shade oi his 



