CHAPTER XVITT. 

 ON THE SILO. 



There is a very old adage which enjoins us to prepare for war 

 in time of peace; and another which goes to show that we should 

 always be on the watch in time of plenty to provide for the time 

 o-i drought. 



Speaking of the dairying centres of the South Coast and table- 

 land districts of Xew South Wales, the whole aspect of the country 

 convey the impression of having been subject to cycles of extreme 

 moisture and drought, extending through considerable periods, the 

 alteration producing remarkable changes in the general appearance 

 of the country. Thus 1836-8-9 were terrible droughts. Owing to 

 the heavy timber the streams of water were not numerous on the 

 coast. Since the clearing of the timber off the coast lands numer- 

 ous streams came into existence. Oxley, in 1817, found several 

 inland lakes which he named. When one or more of these were 

 sought by Mitchell in 1836, they were -for the most part extensively 

 grassed. On some of the early maps Lake George is marked, ex- 

 tending into the counties of Argyle and Murray. In 1828 it was a 

 fine sheet of water, seventeen miles in length and seven in breadth. 

 But it was without fish, and surrounded by dead trees of the 

 eucalyptus species, some of them two feet in diameter, which also 

 extended into it. It is said the natives remembered the time when 

 the whole was a forest, a statement supported by the lifeless trees 

 in its bed. In October, 1836, the entire lake was gone; and its 

 basin was a grassy meadow, similar to the adjoining Breadalbanc 

 Plains! 



If we consider the original,' or black inhabitants of Australia, 

 they had no homes, lived a wandering Hie, the females carrying 

 their young on their backs; the wild animals were either pouched 

 or great runners, thus being able to go long distances in search of 

 food and water without inconvenience. The emu has been at all 

 times considered monarch of the interior of Australia, where the 

 droughty conditions have obtained. An Australian poet thus muses: 



AUSTRALIA. 



Far, far beyond, prolific region spread, 

 Where whispering winds have made their balmy bed, 

 Disturb'd but by a Leichhardt's daring tread ! 



A broad oasis spreads its vesture fair, 

 And smiling verdure reigns triumphant there. 

 Luxuriance crowns the various plains with giass, 

 Whilst streams, meandering, gently sweep between. 

 O'er his dominion the emu wanders wild, 

 And deems himself fond Nature' fav'rite child; 

 Bears his high head and o'er each wavy chain. 

 Shoots his bright gaze, the monarch of the plain. 



Yon barren desert's broad and drear expanse. 



Checked the bold Sturt and dar'cl him to advance; 



Awed with its sterile majesty of space. 



And warn'd him backward from the fatal place. 

 Thou embryo Empire! When the glorious land 

 From which thou'rt sprung shall be a desert strand 

 For pilgrim feet, in classic mood, to trace. 

 A greatness Time itself will ne'er efface: 

 When generations yet unborn shall rise, 



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