ROBERT WALTERS (of Walter Bros.), Farmer, Mt. Marshall, sworn and examined:

6015. By the CHAIRMAN: How long have you been in this district?—I came to this district in 1910. I have had no previous farming experience. I was a storekeeper before I started farming. I took up 2,000 acres. I inspected the land before taking it up. It is about half heavy, and half second and third class country, but I am satisfied that it will all grow wheat. My third-class land is wodjil and scrub. I have grown wheat on it. I have a little on each class of land in each season.

6016. What was the price of the land?—12s. 6d. and 13s. 6d., but it has now been reduced to 9s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. I am three miles from a railway station. I have 550 acres cleared and 160 acres partly cleared. My 2,000 acres are all rung. I have five paddocks enclosed, 200 acres, 160 acres, 300 acres, and 96 acres. The whole 2,000 acres in fenced with dog-proof fencing. I am a married man, and have the necessary house and stables. I believe the stables are better than the house. My machinery is under cover.

6017. Have you a full farming plant?— Yes, and I have eight working horses, three foals, 20 or 30 sheep, one cow, and 23 pigs.

6018. What capital did you put into the place?—The partnership has put approximately £600 into the place, and we have been assisted by the Agricultural Bank to the extent of about £500. I owe the Industries Assistance Board about £50. My experience with the bank has been satisfactory. My brother has been keeping the place going with his own money. I have a further advance from the Industries Assistance Board of £140 for this year; my experience with the Industries Assistance Board has been satisfactory.

6019. What Has been the average rainfall since you have been in the district?—The average rainfall since I have been here would be about 12in. I have the Government gauge here. I am satisfied with the rainfall.

6020. How much have you under crop?—I have 500 acres under crop, 200 acres being fallowed. I believe in the principle of fallow.

6021. How much seed and super do you use?—I usually sow 45lb. of seed, and 60lb. of super on my light ground. I vary this amount, and would sow 45lb. of seed and 45lb. of super on the heavy ground. I grow both early and late wheats.

6022. What implements do you use?—I use a 10-disc plough and do six acres a day; I have a 17-tine cultivator, and do 12 acres a day; a 17-disc drill and do 20 acres a day.

6023. What harvesting machine do you use?—I have a State harvester. I was rather disappointed with this machine; the principle is all right, but its construction is too flimsy.

6024. What has been your highest yield?—13 bushels, I think, and I shall want 10 bushels at 10s. per bag to pay expenses. The average yield for the district would be, in normal periods, 10 bushels.

6025. Do you think the use by the farmer of larger implements would tend to reduce his costs?—Yes, I think so, and I consider bulk handling would reduce our costs, but I do not see how we could do without the bags to get the wheat from the farm to the siding. I think the farmer's implements should come into the country free.

6026. Do you think if your liabilities were funded and you were given a certain number of years to pay them back you could carry on with the proceeds of your crop?—Yes.

6027. By Mr. PAYNTER: Have your crops and stock ever suffered from disease?—Last year I had a little Septoria. My wheat is always pickled, but my seed is not graded.

6028. Have you tried to grow fodder crops or artificial grasses?—No. I have a vegetable garden, but the fruit trees beat me.

6029. Do you keep pigs?—Yes, I am in hopes my pigs will prove satisfactory and profitable. I feed them with wheat. I also raise poultry, and find them very helpful.

6030. What wages do you pay?—35s. and £2 a week and keep. The class of labour is satisfactory so far as I am concerned. They all reckon to work eight hours a day, but I estimate I work 16 myself.

6031. What in your opinion is the minimum quantity of land a farmer should hold in this district?—1,000 acres, and the maximum amount he could work by himself on the best methods of fallow would be 250 acres.

6032. Do you think it would be to the advantage of the farmers to co-operate in the purchase of their supplies, and the sale of their produce?— Yes, I think so.

6033. What is your opinion of the present land regulations?—I am satisfied.

6034. By Mr. VENN: Are there any dingoes in this district?—Yes, but they have not got through my fence as it is dog-proof, but there are plenty about.

6035. Are the rabbits troubling you?—Yes, the rabbits are very bad and I am anticipating trouble with them. I am very isolated here, and would have to work the country for three miles round to get rid of them. Unfortunately I am surrounded by Government reserves, and they are breeding there in hundreds. I am poisoning on my place with toxin, and killed 100 in one morning. I think the dams should be wire netted.

6036. What is the housing accommodation here?—That is one of our worst troubles. The bank will not let you have more than £30 for a house, and I consider it should be about £250. I intend to build a bat house, and the freight on timber for a wooden house is prohibitive. I have only one boy, who has gone to the war. Some of the settlers in the Eastern district are 11 miles from the railway, that is the furthest settler. I consider they will stop out there whether they get the railway or not.

(The witness retired.)

HENRY HARDWICK, Farmer, Baroona, Mandiga, sworn and examined:

6037. By the CHAIRMAN: How long have you been in this district?—I have been here since 1910. I took up 2,000 acres of forest country. I have 280 acres cleared.

6038. What is your water supply?—I have a soak, and 1,000 yards dam, which is now dry. It is 7ft. deep, and cost me from 1s. 3d. to 1s. 6d. a yard.

6039. What buildings have you?—I have only bush sheds and a hessian house, and bush stables. I have cropped from 50 to 150 acres with no return at all.

6040. By Mr. CLARKSON: Was any of it fallow?— No. I have been farming for a great number of years, and it cost me 7d. a bushel in all for my bit of wheat last year.