no 



the advent of the locomotive it is expected that the natural 

 advantages that are ready to assist the skill of the orchardist will 

 be largely utilised. The principal places where trees of the kinds 

 we have named are to be seen in a most thriving condition and, 

 in season, laden \vith a highly remunerative yield of fruit, are Mr. 

 W. Lavender's property at Boranning, and Mrs. Hamersley's estate 

 near the Williams river. The latter estate is about two miles from 

 the township ; the site rises abruptly from the river bank ; it is a 

 picturesque, somewhat rugged glen, with large boulders of granite 

 jutting out of the hillside, almost on the brow of which there are over- 

 spreading carob bean trees a novelty in the colony which were 

 introduced many years ago. The close arching boughs and foliage 

 form a cool arbor which the most searching noontide sun cannot 

 penetrate. A young orchard was planted four years ago by the late 

 Mr. Hamersley, one of the oldest settlers on the Williams, and the 

 result has shown the excellence of his judgment in selecting the 

 site, and the varities of trees best suited to the location. The trees 

 have grown sturdily, and are large enough for a full year's growth 

 beyond their age. The peaches and apricots are bearing heavily. 

 Adjoining the orchard there is a small and flourishing vineyard. 

 Three additional acres have been planted with apples since Mr. 

 Hamersley laid out the ground. The only drawback is the bird 

 pest, which the Producers' conference asked should be dealt with by 

 the offer of liberal bonuses for the destruction of parrots and silver- 

 eyes. 



Another scourge is the wild dog. Dingoes are more numerous 

 now then they used to be. The pastoralists say the wild dogs kill 

 so many sheep as to seriously reduce the profits of wool-growing ; 

 they have, our informants add, taken to attacking rams, which is a 

 proof of the boldness and ferocity of the pests. Unless shepherds 

 are employed, at a cost in wages and rations of ^65 per annum, per 

 man, it is impossible to keep sheep, and the dingoes have even been 

 known to attack the stock while they are yarded close to the shep- 

 herd's camp. The losses are so great, according to the statements 

 of leading flockmasters, that the squatters want more people to take 

 up land. Instead of settlers being regarded with the jealousy that 

 exists between the runholders and the farmers in many parts of 

 Australia, they will be welcomed, and the laying of the line is 

 looked to as a means of bringing an agrarian population which will 

 help to drive back the wild dogs. Mr. Francis Cowcher, who has suf- 

 fered much from the raids of the wild dog, makes an instructive report, 

 which should serve to discourage on the part of selectors the 

 wholesale slaughter of kangaroos, a practice which helps to nourish 

 and multiply the dingoes. He states : " When I lirst knew this 

 district, the dingo was generally a mangy cur. Now he is a fast, 

 strong, gamesome, and well-fed animal ready to kill sheep for the 

 mere sport of the thing ; and there are three times as many dogs 

 about as there used to be, in spite of all that are trapped and 





