of wheat, which, by the way. does not blow them like rape, they 

 could not eat the rape so greedily, and, consequently, did not fill 

 their stomachs with gasses. We did not remove them again for 

 two months, nor did we lose another sheep. It is the worst possible 

 plan to put stock into succulent herbage, such as lucerne, rape, 

 clover, etc., for a brief period, and then remove them to a bare 

 paddock. The sheep, which has less brain for its size than the rest 

 of our domestic animals, has, I incline to believe, some reasoning 

 power, and no doubt reasons somewhat thusly : u If I am allowed 

 to remain only half an hour in this fine rape, I must make the most 

 of my time." The consequence is rapid feeding, which speedily 

 distends the rumen or paunch with gas, and if relief is not soon 

 obtained, death ensues. I have been very successful with cattle and 

 sheep, when first put on succulent herbage, by simply putting them 

 on with full stomachs, and then leaving them there. Owners of 

 pure bred pedigree stock should use great care when pasturing 

 valuable animals on rape. In my opinion there is great room for 

 the extension of the rape industry in Australia. One acre will fatten 

 ten lambs. I know of no other plant of the same importance so 

 likely to assist to develop and fatten a cross-bred or long-w T oolled 

 sheep suitable for the English market. In this respect rape is much 

 superior to turnips, inasmuch as it will grow in many parts where 

 turnips would fail. 



THE POTATO. In Part i of the GUIDE some idea is given of the 

 extent of land in the south west division of this colony suitable to 

 the cultivation of the potato, and it is really a reproach to Western 

 Australia that the market for the crop is not better supplied by local 

 producers. The hon. the Commissioner of Crown Lands recently 

 had Mr. F. S. Brockman, of the Survey Department, report on the 

 area of Crown Lands in the south west, suited to and available for 

 potato growing. The report says : 



u The area generally within which the potato can be successfully 

 grown in the colony may be 'considered to lie along the coast line 

 between the Murray river on the north and Albany on the south, 

 and between the costal range and the sea, generally not exceeding 

 ten miles in width. Further inland than this there are many shel- 

 tered spots where a successful crop may be grown, but much land 

 otherwise suitable is too liable to the effects of frost. In the belt of 

 coast country referred to, with an average rainfall of about 40 inches, 

 any locality is suitable for the industry where the soil is loose and 

 rich. Two distinct classes of soil are almost equally good, namely, 

 the rich moist bottom or swamp land, which produces the summer 

 crop, and the loose, strong upland loams, which produce the winter 

 crops. Of these I am inclined to think the upland is the more 

 prolific, though perhaps not so certain a crop ; but, on the other 

 hand, the swamp lands will produce oilier crops in the year in 

 addition to potatoes. With regard to the unalicnated land suitable 

 for the industry, it is difficult to estimate the quantity, for, like most 





