7 o 



In so warm a climate as that of the east, it is satisfactory to 

 know that fruit trees and vines and vegetables can be grown in 

 abundance, if some discretion is shown in choosing the site for the 

 orchard and garden and homestead near one of the large granite 

 rocks, which always denote the presence of water at a very shallow 

 depth. Another recommendation, that many people will regard as 

 of the first importance, is the healthfulness ot these dry 

 table lands. A spare, wiry frame and longevity would appear 

 to be the characteristics of the older settlers. During the 

 greater portion of the year the heat is intense in the day- 

 time, but as soon as the sun sets the air becomes cool and bracing, 

 allowing of sound, refreshing sleep. The ill humors of a dyspeptic 

 who could do a day's harvesting in the temperature of a Turkish 

 bath would indeed entitle him to sympathy. To judge from the 

 appearance and the endurance of some of the stalwart younger 

 generation, a sanatorium established anywhere between Meckering 

 and Southern Cross for asthmatic or consumptive patients would 

 soon acquire a great reputation for its efficacy. 



What has been written of the neglect of the salmon gum country 

 in the York district applies with full force to the growers of Yilgarn, 

 who were grossly deceived by appearances. Because the land did 

 not grow anything except this species of eucalyptus it was considered 

 to be barren, and it was only by an accident that its fertility was 

 disclosed. When the route of the Yilgirn railway was cleared, 

 the places where the trees had been threw up grass so thickly that 

 it could not fail to attract attention. Then a patch or two of the 

 forest was cleared to see whether it would produce wheat, and men 

 who had been on the land for twenty years had to confess themselves 

 astonished at the crop. A typical case is that of the Sewell's at 

 Chureening, to the south of the railway, near Tammin. They had 

 been cultivating the lighter jam tree soil, and four years ago they 

 were induced to clear 12 acres of salmon gums, which for about 25 

 years had lain idly in their possession. The harvest was such an 

 eye-opener that they have selected a large block in the Tammin 

 agricultural area, and are getting it ready for cultivation. Nor is it 

 only the local settler who has become a convert to the richness of 

 the timbered tracts for cereals. A large slice of this territory has 

 been acquired by an English syndicate, of whom Mr. Lowles, M.P., 

 is a member. This gentleman recently visited the colony, and 

 made a tour through the goldfields of Coolgardie and the 

 surrounding centres. En route he inspected the Crown l;i 

 between Northam and Southern Cross, and was so impressed 

 with their value that he took up an extensive location, 

 of which 1,000 acres have already been got ready for 

 ploughing. The syndicate have this season a large area under crop. 

 The manager of the Land bank, Mr. William I'atersnn, whose 

 judgment may be relied upon, for he is a large grower near the 

 South-western line, recently saw the Tammin agricultural area, of 





