HECTOR JOSEPH STEWART, M.L.C, Farmer, Wagin, sworn and examined:

9760. To Mr Clarkson: I have been farming here eight years. Until two years ago I was farming on 1,478 acres. Since then I bought another place of 1,261 acres. On the whole lot I carry 1,200 sheep, 12 cattle and 12 horses. Without fodder crops that is about the full capacity of the place. Of the total area, 1,340 acres is cleared. I have usually about 350 acres in cereals, of which generally all is fallow. I believe in ploughing in the stubbles, and in fallowing. Fallow will give from two to five bushels more than other methods. With fallow and rotation of crops one can get a progressive improvement in his crops. The best depth to plough here is from four and half to five inches. On new land I do not go more than three inches. With graded seed, pickled, I have had excellent results from 45 lbs. I use at least 100 lbs. of super for the sake of the pastures afterwards. During the last couple of years I have let my crop on shares, but prior to that I used Baroota Wonder. I have tried others, but, taking into account that it was for mixed farming, Baroota Wonder gave the best results. The selection of seed is of great importance to the farmer. In this district Federation wheat does not give satisfactory results. Goldsmiths and Scotch Wonder and Turveys give good results. I feed my oats off when sufficiently advanced, but chiefly I feed chaff to my sheep. I have marketed a good deal of oats. To hold my own I require 15 bushels of oats at 2s. I think bulk handling would reduce costs. The tariff affects the farmer prejudicially. Farming implements should be free from duty.

9761. To Mr Paynter: I favour the continuance of the wheat pool, but only with due representation of the farmers. One farmer is scarcely sufficient representation. The wheat pool should be independent of Government control. I do not think the people in this district have made much use of the Agricultural Department's experts. Personally, I have received great assistance from them. There is a general feeling throughout the district favouring the inauguration of farmers experimental plots under the supervision of the Commissioner. Our land laws have not been conducive to the taking up of land. The price of land should not be held as of so much importance as the securing of a suitable man to take up the land. It is in the interests of the State that people with capital should be safeguarded from taking up land from which they cannot get a living.

9762. To Mr Venn: I think there is a fair amount of dairying done in this district. I have done sufficient for myself, and to sell a little surplus. If the people were educated to conserve their summer fodder, I see no reason why dairying should not be successfully carried on here. People here are realising the necessity for running sheep. If men can make a living by an easier method than dairying, I do not think they will take kindly to so laborious a means of livelihood. I think it would be a good policy if the Government assisted those ready for sheep to secure sheep. One man here is letting out his surplus sheep to others without sheep. He charges 3s. per head.

9763. By Mr Clarkson: Can you suggest anything which you think the State might do for the betterment of the industry?—My experience has shown that the country round about here is crying out for vegetable matter. The improvement worked in the soil from the ploughing in of vegetable matter is most marked. The experts of the Agricultural Department agree that everything should be ploughed in and nothing burnt. I would like to stress the extent to which other countries spend large sums in scientific investigations. Here we have instances of cleared land turning salty. We should prevent the laying out of capital in clearing such land. I do not know of any crop of peas grown in this district which has not been infected by the grub and the seed spoilt. There is a problem for the scientists! Farmers should not be left to find out these things for themselves.

(The Witness Retired.)

The Commission adjourned.