sparkling stream rushes out of the forest-covered hills which over- 

 look the fertile plains below. Below the Harvey residence the 

 river bank on the south side has been brought under cultiva- 

 tion, though many of the old giants of the forest stand in 

 their gaunt and grim solitude, frowning on the smiling fields 

 at their feet. The deep rich loam of these fields seems almost 

 too good for cereal crops, and suggests that root crops and 

 vegetables and fruit would here find a happy home. A little 

 water laid on from the mountain stream would make this one 

 of the loveliest spots in the district. Fruit trees seem to thrive 

 hereabout vigorously, and with very little attention, the citrous 

 tribe being remarkable for their healthy and rapid growth, and arc 

 apparently blightless. There is a marked difference between the 

 country here on the face of the range and the country correspond- 

 ingly situated to the north of the Canning river. There is very little 

 scrub, and not much rock. The quality of the soil at the foot of 

 the hills, and on the spurs, and even to the crest of the range, is so 

 good in many places as to be w r ell adapted for cultivation. It is of 

 a nature to be admirably adapted for the growth of the vine and 

 the production of a high-class wine. A vineyard, ten acres in extent, 

 has been planted with the carbenet sauvignon grape on one of the 

 slopes, and although it has received only intermittent attention, 

 such as the manager of the sheep, cattle, farm, and dairy could give 

 it, many of the vines look capable of anything which vigorous 

 growth can produce. It may safely be said that if gravelly and 

 easily cultivated hilly slopes, blessed with an ample rainfall 

 in winter, and bright skies in summer and autumn, go to 

 make up the requirements of a good vine-growing and wine- 

 proclucing country, these are all here in rich abundance. 

 The country below the range may be generally described as a red 

 gum forest, the trees varying from three to ten to the acre, with a 

 considerable growth of blackboys, but nothing else in the 

 way of the plough. . . . Opinions vary as to the corn-growing 

 capabilities of the land. Some set down the yield at 15 bushels ; 

 some at 20 bushels to the acre ; but all agree that a little bone dust 

 produces a marked and lasting effect. A remarkable feature of this 

 country for Western Australia is its evenness of character and 

 generally unbroken nature. Once cleared, there would be nothing 

 but a few watercourses to prevent the cultivation of 10,000 acres 

 without a break. The tall trees and the blackboys are, as I have 

 said, a testimony to the fertility of the soil ; but whether the best return 

 will comefrom cereals, grazing, dairying, or fruit, remains to be seen." 

 The expert testimony of Mr. A. Despeissis, M.R.A.C., who is in 

 charge of the viticultural and horticultural departments of the 

 Bureau of Agriculture, has been given of the merits of the Harvey. 

 From his report we take the following conclusions, which will 

 apply to the major portion of the south-west : " Climate. The 

 climate is cool and temperate ; the latitude is 33 S. From official 



