9 



consequence. Recently, however, tanks have been made, and more 

 fresh-water wells have been obtained ; and I believe that with 

 ordinary good seasons and renewed energy, the whole of the; 

 upper Pallinup will not only carry larger numbers of sheep, but 

 will also be a wheat-producing district. Water is now secured and 

 conserved in this neighborhood by wells, dams, and tanks, and 

 generally with excellent results. The prevailing timber along the 

 route and over the country examined is eucalyptus redunca (the 

 Wandoo or white gum tree). ' This tree/ says Baron von Mueller in 

 his excellent work on the forest resources of Western Aus- 

 tralia, ' is so indifferent in regard to soil, as to prosper on cold r 

 clayey, or poor gravelly flats, where humidity stagnates in the wet 

 season,' and I may go a little further and say that it generally grows 011 

 that description of country. In the same way as eucalyptus 

 redunca is an index of inferior land, so eucalyptus loxophleba 

 (York gum), and acacia microbotrya (manna gum) are an index 

 of the most fertile country. Within the limits reported upon, viz. r 

 20 miles on each side of the supposed line, there are at the present 

 time about 250 homesteads. These 250 settlers are for the most 

 part industrious, hardworking men, and manage to make a fair 

 living. A few of them have made a moderate competence ; but as 

 a rule they live on their homesteads, attend to their sheep, and do 

 the work of laborers. Many of them began life as shepherds, and 

 by care and industry have secured a small independence. The 

 district seems in many places well adapted for the growth of fruit, 

 The vine, plum, peach, and pear trees seen in the gardens on the 

 elevated country along the water-shed of the Arthur and Gordon, 

 rivers, appear healthy, and to bear abundantly. There cannot be a 

 doubt but that the whole of the country between Beverley and 

 King George's Sound is capable of being more beneficially utilised 

 than it is at present, and that as population increases and cultiva- 

 tion is more common a larger number of people will reside upon 

 the land." After the report of the surveyors had been received, the 

 overtures of Mr. Hordern for the construction of the Great 

 Southern railway on the land grant principle were accepted, and he 

 formed in London the company which carried out the project. 



The land grant railway, for the making of which the company 

 received in round numbers 3,000,000 acres of land, did not realise 

 the hopes either of the shareholders or the people of the 

 colony. The early death of Mr. Anthony Hordern prevented 

 his colonisation schemes from being carried out. He had intended 

 to establish experimental farms for training purposes, to provide 

 advanced instruction in all branches of agriculture for students, the 

 sons of men who were able to give them a start in life. These 

 farms were to be under the control of professors, who, when the 

 students had completed their course of instruction, would choose 

 suitable land for them to establish their own homesteads upon, and 

 assist them with direction and advice in order that they might make 



