268 
PROCEEDINGS OE SECTION B. 
We have now a number of artesian bores in the. arid western 
district which yield water suitable for human consumption and stock 
purposes, and sufficient surplus water for the irrigation of small 
holdings or farms, orchards, &c. The presence of these artesian 
supplies are of the greatest value to travelling stock, they having 
been the means of keeping thousands alive which in time of drought 
would have perished for want of water. 
In a report received by Mr. F. G. Pickering from his manager, 
that gentleman refers to the water obtained from the 12 1 -mile Bore, 
as follows : — “ The quality is excellent, in fact could not be better. 
It is very hot when first pumped up, registering 115 degrees Fahr., 
but soon cools, and its value to the residents of the locality, travelling 
stock, teams, and tire general public cannot be estimated, as not a 
drop is otherwise obtainable for many miles. The country there is in 
a deplorable state — no water and no grass — no rain having fallen since 
September last, while the heat registered up to 119 degrees Fahr. in 
the shade. Provisions wero selling as follows : — Flour, 60s. per 200-lb. 
sack ; potatoes, 28s. per cwt. ; vegetables, when obtainable, Id. per lb. ; 
sugar, 6d. per lb. ; tea, 4s. per lb. At one particular station the pro- 
prietor is paying £14 per ton for the carriage of horse and cattle feed, 
the distance of transit being 105 miles. As much as £1 is paid for a 
single hag of chaff, and that of an inferior quality. At one station 
alone over 40,000 sheep perished for want of water.” ( Evening JS'ews , 
17th May, 1892.) 
With a view of ascertaining the suitability of some of the artesian 
bore waters for irrigation purposes, the Superintendent of Public Water- 
ing Places suggested that experimental farms should be started in the 
vicinity of some of these bores, and experiments conducted for some 
years in the raising of various classes of cereals, vegetables, fruit, and 
forest trees. These suggestions were acted on by the Honourable 
the Minister for Mines and Agriculture, and the results obtained in 
most cases, so far, Lave been very satisfactory. 
At the Native Hog Bore, situated on the Bourke-Barringun 
road, an experimental farm, embracing four acres of land, has been 
made, thus utilising the supply in excess of that required for travelling 
stock. Mr. Boultree, in reporting on this bore, states — “ The water 
from this bore is carried by a ditch into a considerable depression, 
forming a small lake covering fully two acres of land, which acts as 
an aerating pool. The whole is enclosed with a good post-and-wire 
fence securely rabbit-netted.” The farm at this bore was laid out by 
Mr. Inspector Macdougall, in October, 1892, and the first planting 
done during that month. The seeds planted were lucerne, millet, 
maize, sorghum, and planters. The lucerne did not grow well until 
the following March or April, the planters and sorghum being cut m 
January, 1893. Some small samples of wheat were sown on 16th 
June, 1893, gathered on the 17th November, 1893, and which had 
been three times watered. The yield was over 35 bushels per acre. 
In July, 1S93, the farm was enlarged, and some trees and vines 
planted, and those living and doing well are— 456 fruit trees, 
70 olives, 480 vines, a few bananas ; also 2,000 forest trees and 
