land. I think if we got a stubble burn we would get better results as it gives the suckers a great set-back.

437. Is your land low-lying and wet?—No, undulating. There are a few wet parts, some in my crop. There are about four acres absolutely cold. I have made no effort to drain the water off as it only made its appearance this year. Pigs do very well in this district. I killed one yesterday which was 17 weeks old and went 55lbs. weight,

438. Did you have any wheat over last year?—Yes; but I fed it to the horses and pigs. I sold some to Mr Bow and some at Myrup. I received 5s. a bushel for what I took to Esperance.

439. By Mr McDONALD: You were reared in the mallee. Do you recollect what crops your father had in the early days?—Yes. In the first two years he had very good crops, but they were exceptional years. The experience here is that the crops are poor the first few years and improve as the ground is cleared.

440. BY the CHAIRMAN: In a number of districts in South Australia some of the settlers had the same experience as here?—Yes.

441. Does the Wimmera country compare with this?—It is better as it has far higher rainfall, but in the country I came from the crops were scratched in and no super. used in my time. They are getting big crops now by using super. and fallow. The land my father owned could not be bought under £6 an acre. I am satisfied that my ground will give payable crops and will keep running stock, but we must have railway facilities. Weeds, such as mustard and Cape weed, come the same as they did on the other side. I do not think seven bushel of wheat could be regarded as a good yield and think that improper methods of cultivation are responsible for the low returns, as well as the small supply of super. the rainfall here has in the bulk been satisfactory, although not if you take it month by month. I have had a limited experience with sheep having been 18 months on the Darling Downs before coming to Western Australia. I have been through South Australian mallee but consider the local land better than that, both as regards soil and rainfall. My brother at Yorke's Peninsula has 2,000 acres and has practically retired now. Their's is more of whip stick mallee, not quite as big as we have here. My brother never succeeded until he went in for mixed farming and sheep.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.