xiv.

Sample No. Comments. 20 Typical of the mallee country and equal to any of the land at Grass Patch. 10 This land has not grown crops, but the Commission believes it to be quite suitable for that purpose. 15 this is good mallee country similar to land which has produced satisfactory crops. In addition to the soil samples, 10 water samples were collected. The analysis of No. 2, taken from a rainwater tank, reveals the presence of more salt than sample No. 4 taken from Scaddan dam. It will be noted also that the percentage of salt in the Mortlock River at Meckering is very much higher than that shown in the Dalyup River samples taken at Mrs Stewart's and Mr Jackson's holdings. According to the analysis salt is not present in any of the dams to an appreciable extent. Professor Paterson has summarised his findings at the conclusion of his report. He contends that one-half the area is too salty for profitable farming, one-sixth doubtful, and only one-third useful for settlement. This is the vital part of his report. The Commission is certainly not prepared to subscribe to such sweeping conclusions. From personal observation and inquiry, and after a lengthy experience in practical farming, we do not hesitate to assert that a very large area of the Mallee Belt will grow wheat and produce good crops. In this connection it must be pointed out that Professor Paterson did not take one sample from the sandplain country, nor did he express a desire to do so. It will be noted also that one sample was taken from Mrs Stewart's holding on the Dalyup and another from Mr Jackson's land, south of Scaddan, the bottom sample of the former coming practically from salt water. These two samples alone are regarded by Professor Paterson as typical of 900 square miles of country, extending from Scaddan to Esperance, and 15 miles each side of the railway survey. It is noted that in Professor Paterson's opinion the land will certainly improve in value as time goes on, and that clearing will accelerate the leaching of salt from the higher lands. For purposes of reference, Table 9 of professor Paterson's report is reproduced.

TABLE 9. Percentage of Salt in Esperance Soils. __________________________________________________________ Safe. Doubtful. Too Salt. __________________________________________________________ Sample.  % Salt. Sample.  % Salt. Sample.  % Salt.

    2          •108 (a)                4        •222(a)            6           •286 (a)
    3          •113                    14       •216                 8          •368 
    5         •034                      ••          ••                   9          •410    
    7         •035                      ••          ••                 10          •367
  16         •136                      ••          ••                 12          •332
  22         •115 (a)                 ••         ••                  15         •499
                                                                             17         •337
                                                                             20         •301

___________________________________________________________ Of these 16 soils, I consider six are safe, two are doubtful, eight contain too much salt.

The Commission would point out that of the six samples said to represent "safe" land, two are from places where a practical farmer would expect to find too much salt; the two marked "doubtful" are from fair average mallee country; while peculiarly enough the eight samples said to be too salt came from the best of the mallee country where, the Commission asserts, wheat growing can be successfully carried on. If the land from which these eight samples came had been under cultivation, we consider the analytical results would have been the same as for those marked "safe." The point of danger in soil salinity for the Esperance lands was suggested by Mr Mann at •05 per cent. Professor Paterson fixes it at •2 per cent., notwithstanding that crops have been grown in soils showing •4 per cent. of common salt, but at the same time he states "no hard and fast line can be laid down in any instance as to the amount of soluble salts which constitutes a barrier to cultivation and settlement." Divergent view exist as mentioned in Professor Paterson's report, amongst soil chemists generally as to methods and standards in connection with alkaline soils, and seemingly a gap has yet to be spanned between practical results and scientific findings before the latter can be accepted with assurance. In other parts of Australia adverse professional opinion respecting mallee lands has been disregarded with advantage to the State, and the Commission having given the question close consideration, strongly urges that scientific prejudice against our mallee lands be not permitted to stand in the way of their being opened up for agricultural purposes.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

Antipathy to mallee country.—the pessimistic opinions of the Esperance mallee lands voiced from time to time are in a measure natural and justified. The country in its virgin state is admittedly unattractive, and during the early period of cultivation disappointing returns are usual. Similar view were held by prominent public men in the other States many years ago. Before the various Royal Commis-