I2O 



in the history of the Western Australian Land company, purchased 

 from that corporation 25,000 acres at Broomehill, and proceeded to 

 establish a model sheep farm under the management of an experienced 

 superintendent. Goblup is one of the best pieces of country in the 

 south, and it is a very healthy sheep run. The merino sheep is 

 bred, and much attention is paid to keeping the flocks up to an uni- 

 formly high standard. The paddocks have an ample supply of 

 water from wells and dams, and the fencing and other improve- 

 ments are of the most substantial description. Speaking of im- 

 provements, it may be mentioned that an economical substitute for 

 a swing gate is to be seen leading into the paddock of a sheep far- 

 mer who hails from South Australia. Strands of wire are stretched 

 between two hurdles eight feet apart. By an ingenious, but simple 

 device on the lever principle, the bars of wire are drawn taut across 

 the gateway. A catch being released, the wire and its wooden supports 

 can be easily lifted aside, and the vehicle having passed through 

 the opening, the portable grating is replaced, and forms an impreg- 

 nable barrier against stock. A gate of this description can be made 

 in an hour, and the only fittings required to complete its adjustment 

 are two double loops of wire around the gateposts to hold the top 

 and bottom of the hurdles, and an augur hole and a pin of iron to 

 form the fulcrum of the lever. The system that is in vogue in some 

 English counties, and in Tasmania, of feeding sheep on young crops of 

 wheat and oats, is adopted by Mr. C. A. Piesse. He says that, pro- 

 vided the stock are not too long kept off the sprouting corn, or 

 allowed to remain too long upon it, they do a great deal of good. 

 The crop may be almost eaten bare up to the sixth week of its 

 coming through the seed-bed, and the result will be a more even 

 growth and better filled ears of corn. The stalk may not be so 

 long, but the plants stool as the result of being fed clown at the 

 right time and with judgment, but the harvest is heavier than if the 

 sheep had been kept oft" it, especially if the feeding down is followed 

 by a liberal fall of rain. 



Mr. A. Piesse, a younger brother of Messrs. F. H. and C. A. 

 Piesse, is clearing land near the Katanning townsite, at a cost of ^3 

 per acre, for the enlargment of his vineyard of 25 acres. In his 

 opinion grapes arc one of the most profitable crops to which a 

 man can devote his attention, anywhere between Hcvcrlcy and 



Kataning, 



Mr. A. Piesse, who has been at Katanning ever since the old 



;v ;'/;;/' of the sheep squatters gave place to mixed farming ami a 

 large output of produce, was asked to state his experience of the 

 amount of capital a man would require in order to make a hopeful 

 start on the land in the district. In giving his answer, Mr. Piesse 

 supported it with details which uphold his conclusions. lie says : 

 " A man should have not less than 50. He should be content 

 at first with a homestead farm of 160 acres, unless he takes it in a 

 place where he is likely to be so shut in that he is not likely to be 



