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exchange of ideas, which must be beneficial to all good men. Then I would have 
experimental plantations made on the coastal sand-dunes near Sydney and study the 
lessons thus taught. 
Mr. McMaster* considers that the cost of plantations is prohibitive, and, 
admitting that areas are overstocked, is of opinion that the key to the situation is the 
moving about of stock from one locality to another, so as to prevent the sand-binding 
plants of any district being eaten out. This can only be done by a system of light 
railways, and that being the opinion of a man whose view on this subject commands 
the utmost respect, our people should be educated to advocate them. Mr. McMaster's 
words are : 
If these be provided, it is believed that the stock-owners will be able to regulate the quantity of 
stock their holdings are capable of carrying with safety, and in doing so a condition of affairs will gradually 
be brought about that will justify the individual as well as the State in giving effect to the valuable proposals 
by Mr. Maiden. In fact, it may so happen then that nature will assert itself to such an extent that no arti- 
ficial assistance, other than the railways referred to, will be required to keep the drifting sands in check. 
Without railways to relieve the country of stock in times of drought, any attempt to cope with the 
Sand Problem of the West is regarded as almost hopeless, but with their assistance in the manner indicated, 
the question will be reduced from one of extreme difficulty to one of comparative simplicity. 
8. Plants recommended for Western Sand-dunes. 
Just as the Maritime Pine is the principal planted tree of the French Landes, and 
just as I recommend the Norfolk Island Pine for our coastal sand-dunes, so I recommend 
the Cypress Pine (Callitris) as the main standby for the shifting sands of the West. 
It is a tree of commercial value, and parenthetically I may enjoin discretion in cutting 
away existing Pine forests out west. My policy would be to raise rows and cross rows 
of Cypress Pine in sandy country inside the Barrier Range. It is natural there, and 
Sturt")" floundered over successive ridges of deep, loose sand, and became entangled in 
a Pine forest near the Barrier Range. 
Sugar Gum (Eucalyptus dadocalyx (corynocalyx) ; E. fasciculosa F.v.M., E. 
mdliodora A. Cunn., the " Yellow Box," E. salmonophloia F.v.M., the Salmon Gum of 
Western Australia, and other Western eucalypts (especiallyMallees) should be encouraged. 
Various Acacias, such as Mulga (A. aneura), Yarran (A. homalophylla), Myall 
(A. penduld), A. sentis, and many others should be freely grown. The seeds of Acacias 
maintain their vitality for a considerable period. 
Casuarina lepidophloia (the Belar) and C. Lue/imanni (the Bull Oak). I would 
also introduce the Desert Oak (C. Decaisneana) of Western Australia, the Needlewood 
(Hakea leucoptera), and many other trees and shrubs. 
One plant of Porcupine Grass extends in an ever widening circle, the centre 
becoming dead and hollow. This is a most important natural sand-binder for the sand- 
hills, and should be conserved. The native grasses in general should be encouraged, as 
I have already indicated. 
* Proc. Roy. Soc. X.S.W., 1903, p. 141. f Narrative of an Expedition, etc. (1840), i, 223; also ii, 34. 
