755 



On his holding the farmer can have his home and family, who, 

 while he is away, can keep the household going by rearing pigs, 

 poultry and bees, and by cultivating a small garden that will grow 

 vegetables sufficient for themselves, and if there is any surplus it 

 can be sold or fed to the poultry and pigs. If money is available to 

 purchase a cow or two, the returns will probably be at least 10 a 

 year from each cow, and in a climate like this the necessities outside 

 those which can be raised on the farm are few, and will require a 

 very small outlay of ready money. That the first condition is not 

 meant to be oppressive is found by the land not being forfeited if 

 the residential clause is riot complied with in case of sickness or 

 other valid reason. 



The next condition is that within two years a habitable house 

 of not less value than ^30 be erected, or ^30 value be expended in 

 clearing or cropping. This does not mean that ^30 cash 

 must be laid out, but improvements worth that amount 

 must be effected, which can be done by the owner's 

 own labour. Or two acres of orchard or vineyard, properly 

 prepared and planted, can be substituted. Within live years one- 

 fourth of the land must be substantially fenced, and one-eighth 

 cleared and cropped. At the end of seven years, if the conditions 

 are fulfilled, a Crown grant may be obtained on payment of the 

 Survey and Crown grant fees, which in most instances would not 

 exceed 7 73. 



If it is desired to obtain the freehold of the land earlier, this 

 can be done after twelve months residence, putting on all the 

 required improvements, and paying five shillings per acre in 

 addition to the fees already mentioned. In what is known as the 

 south-western portion of the colony certain areas have been selected 

 that are suitable for homestead farms, the quality of the soils and 

 the rainfall having been taken into consideration. But if dairying is 

 the object in view, the areas to the south and south-east of Perth are 

 the most suitable. Here they are nearly all within a reasonable dis- 

 tance of the railway, the soil is rich, water is easily obtained, and 

 the rainfall is good. 



