2nd Progress Report - Part 2

image 8 of 100

This transcription is complete

in the West Yarloop district. They have been taken up some time, and are certainly worth improving.

11172. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you know the country out West of here?—Yes. The good country is in patches from here to the coast, though the majority is poor land.

11173. What percentage do you consider is worth improving?—Something less than 25 per cent. There are swamps of from 50 to 100 acres, further out, towards the limestone country, but it is all taken up. The good land runs out about five miles west of the railway and after this you get into poor stuff. I do not wish to infer that there is no good land beyond this, but the patches are small.

11174. The matters, then, that you wish to prominently bring before the Commission are the question of drainage and the improvement of the roads?—Yes.

11175. By Mr. PAYNTER: What district are you in?—Harvey Roads Board district. Another portion of the district is controlled by Drakesbrook.

11176. By Mr. VENN: Do you find that these plains require lime?—Yes, both lime and ammonia are required, though in the swamps bonedust and superphosphate are the necessary fertilisers.

11177. By Mr. PAYNTER: Are there any deposits of lime near by?—Yes, but they are not being opened up at present. I refer to the Lake Clifton deposits.

11178. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you used any of this lime?—Not from the Lake Clifton deposit, but I have used it from other sources.

(The witness retired.)

——————————

WILLIAM JOSEPH EASTCOTT, Farmer, Wagerup, sworn and examined:

11179. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been settled here for 31 years. I have 260 acres freehold. I consider most of my land is second class. There is not more than 20 acres first class. It is half a mile from the railway station, all fenced, and 100 acres cleared, of which 80 acres has been under the plough. I had two acres of orchard, but I have grubbed most of it out. I find you cannot make a success of fruit growing here on account of the winds. Also the cost of keeping an orchard cultivated, spraying, etc., is too much. I have retained half an acre under orchard from which I do very well. As a rule, I have two acres under potatoes and other market garden stuff. I have a six roomed house, the necessary farm buildings and implements, four horses, 22 head of cattle young and old, and 15 pigs. Dairying is my principal source of livelihood. We send milk to Perth. I consider I can make a living on my holding. I started with about £100 and had to borrow from the Agricultural Bank to the extent of £250. I have paid off £150 of this.

11180. By Mr. VENN: Do you do any irrigation?—Yes. I have a gravitation scheme from Bancells Brook and find that I get very good results, though in the dry season, the supply of water is not sufficient. This year it is good. I have ten to 12 acres under irrigation. I grow maize and millet for the stock. So far I have not tried root crops. I have a plot of Soudan grass and find the stock are very fond of it. It produces very tender fodder. I have put in half an acre from seed which I have raised. I find I can cut this three or four times. It is under the sprinkler. I dairy all the year round and last year from 12 cows I obtained £330. I feed largely on bran. This year brand has cost me £60, and I find by feeding this way, they produce more than enough milk to pay for the bran. After investigation I find that the land is deficient in phosphoric acid and the bran supplies what is lacking to the cows in the natural food.

11181. The CHAIRMAN: The Government, as you know, has sent us round to investigate the agricultural industry, and I should like to know whether you consider there are any matters that the State could undertake in this district which would prove of benefit?—One matter I should like to bring under your notice is the marketing of our milk in Perth. The present method is not satisfactory. We get 1s. per gallon for our milk and it costs the consumer 2s. 4d. per gallon. The retail price therefore is too high. The train arrangements are not satisfactory either. If I got 1s. a gallon all year round I could do well, but I have to send cream to the Bunbury butter factory at one time of the year. In October, the Perth people cannot take our supplies.

11182. By Mr. PAYNTER: Have you tried machine milking?—Yes, we have a "Simplex" but we threw it out. The machine has so many taps and valves that if you cannot rely upon your employees and they neglect to properly cleanse them, the milk is spoiled. We prefer hand milking.

(The witness retired.)

—————————

JAMES CLARK, Farmer, Cookernup.

11183. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been on the land in this district for 28 years. I have 586 acres which is all frehold. 486 acres is in the hills, and the rest is on the plains. I consider I have 200 acres only that can be cultivated. I am about three miles from the railway siding. My land is all fenced, and about 150 acres cleared, and 100 acres has been under the plough. Four acres are devoted to orchard, and one acre to vines. I have a wooden house of seven rooms, the necessary buildings, sheds, and implements to work the land. I have 12 horses, 350 sheep, which I run all the year round, and two to three cows. I have no pigs. I started with a very little capital less than £200. I have been able to keep free of debt. My principal source of living is derived from the sheep, and a few good potatoes. I have some particularly good dairying country, but being over 75 years of age you can understand that I am unable to do a great deal of the work on the farm myself.

11184. To Mr. VENN: My sheep average 6lbs. of wool. This is from the ewes alone. Some of them went up to 11lbs.

11185. By the CHAIRMAN: The Government has deputed this Commission to investigate the agricultural industry, and I should like you to tell us whether you consider that there are any matters that the Government can take in hand to promote the prosperity of the district?—I consider the