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returns I rind the annual rainfall for a number of years is 37 inches 

 per annum, being more than double what it is on the Avon. From 

 Beverley, through York, Northam and Toodyay, where, even with 

 the scanty rainfall, fruit growing and mixed farming are being pro- 

 fitably carried on, the rainy season sets in in April and practically 

 terminates in October, although all through the summer 

 occasional thunderstorms supply to vegetation an amount of 

 moisture, which, although it does not interfere with the process of 

 ripening of fruit or of harvesting, nnintains the plant in a state 

 of luxuriant growth. The Harvey runs all the year round and 

 follows a winding course. Numerous springs, which could 

 easily be developed after the clearing of the country, act as feeders 

 to it, and make of the question of water supply an easy one, offer- 

 ing at the same time great advantages and facilities for summer 

 irrigation and the successful raising of catch crops in the summer 

 time. Owing to the proximity of the sea, 15 miles in a straight line r 

 destructive frosts never harm potatoes and other tender crops, and 

 the climate may be said to be well adapted for the pursuit of mixed 

 farming as well as fruit growing, more especially fruit from the 

 temperate climates, such as apples, pears, etc., as well also as trees 

 requiring a greater amount of rainfall to mature to perfection, viz. 

 oranges and lemons. Grapes thrive admirably in this district. The 

 nature of the soil varies from (a) a light loam with a good admixture of 

 gravel in it. and is especially suitable for the purpose of vine growing. 

 This land is now under red gum (eucalyptus calhphylla}^.^ jarrah(fi". 

 marginata), of fine growth, which testify to its quality ; (b) a few 

 patches of ironstone gravel overlying a strong subsoil (jarrah and 

 white gum E. redunca country) on the top of hills and spurs 

 from the Darling. range ; (c) rich red loam of volcanic origin, with 

 a few boulders of basaltic rocks in it. This land is very fertile and 

 especially adapted for fruit growing as well as mixed fanning (red 

 gums and blackboys or grass trees of very large si/e xanthvrea); 

 (d) rich deep alluvial Hats alongside the river banks and in 

 between the spurs and undulations of the ground. This soil is under 

 red gum and blackboys of very large sizo. Lucerne, root crops, heavy 

 hay cmps, as well as fruit trees of all sorts, from the apple, the pear, 

 to the orange and lemon, do splendidly on such soil which, once 

 cleared, is easy of cultivation and is of great fertility. The 

 co^t of clearing the land at the Harvey would amount, 

 according to the means generally employed for that purpose 

 through l lie country, from 6 to _."io per acre on an average, and if 

 the trees were killed either by the methods of ringbarking or sap- 

 ping, it would, a year or two after, cost from 25 to 30 per cent. less. 

 The fill ure of the place is the great possibility it offers as a fruit 

 and vine growing colony, combined with mixed farming, comprising 

 the Cultivation Of potatoes, lucerne, tobacco, corn for hay. mai/.e, 

 and also their conversion into pork, mutton and beef for the 

 colonial market." 



