474. Do you consider land in the vicinity of Grass Patch is better than that , say , at Scaddan?—Yes; but the rainfall is not so good . Comparing the farming possibilities of Grass Patch and Scaddan, I think there is a better area of land surrounding Grass Patch than there would be in the other.

475. In what way do you think experiments should be conducted in the district—The settlers should have something definite to go on. At present there is no defined method of farming mallee land. Farming has so far been carried out as each one though fit. Crops have been out in as st different times under different methods and in many cases they have undertaken more than they could successfully carry out, such as rolling down and attempting to clear more than they could.

476. Are you aware that the farmers were advised to roll down something like 400 acres so as to have 200 in fallow and 200 in crop?—Yes., and I think the advise was good, if the farmer was in a position to carry it out, that is to say, had sufficient capital. I think it would require that area to farm successfully. Of course a smaller area better farmed would do better. From a business point of view the advise was good, but not many farmers were able to follow it.

477. Do you consider there is much more expense attached to clearing mallee land than is at first apparent?—Yes decidedly.

478. By Mr. PADBURY: What is your idea of the settlers generally?—Generally speaking I consider them a good class. The greater number of them have had no experience of farming, but several have had very good experience.

479. Is your opinion in any way changed of the mallee land?—Yes; I have a better idea of the way it should be farmed than when I first went down.

480. Do you think it is of more value than you did?—No. When I first went down I thought it a good deal better than the results have shown it to be .

481. Although the results , you say are principally caused by bad farming?—I think the trouble is ignorance of proper methods of farming mallee land. What is carried on there would probably be good farming in other district, but they do not know how to cope with the mallee.

482. then you still maintain the land is all right, provided it is well farmed. You are attributing bad results to ignorance of proper methods?—The sucker question is the most serious problem. Then, again, although as an ordinary layman, it is hardly wise of me to mention it, I think some chemical change takes place in the soil which makes it, generally speaking, rather impervious to water. It forms a sort of hard pan, the reason for which I do not know. The general run of clay or forest country is open and the roots do not seem to be able to penetrate as they do in the Esperance district . 483. Do you consider that condition applies generally over the mallee or only in parts?—It is in the greater portion of the land which has better appearance—the stronger land. It is the stronger land I am referring to.

484. Is that so when well worked?—I have never seen it worked deeper than four inches and properly worked up. That is why I say experiment should be tried in that district. Down to that depth where it has fallow and well worked, apparently it seems to result in the formation of a sort of hard pan, perhaps on the surface, sometimes just under, when the rain comes over it. This applies to large patches in fairly large areas. As far as I can judge from the few cases where it has been properly farmed the land is all right.

485. With reference to water, what has ben your experience down there?—Water catchments have been readily got and the tanks hold well, the water being good. There is no soakage nor any water courses.

486 What would you consider a profitable quantity of seed and super ,to be used judging from what you have seen?—I have not seen the result of this years's seeding, but that is where I think experiments should be carried out. I should say from 70 to 90lbs as an experiment , But it may require up to one cwt. I have seen good result from 30 to 45lbs of seed for wheat.

487. Have you seen experiments of, say 30, 45, and 60lbs. tried side by side?—No. I simply know of one or two cases where 30lbs. was put in and gave good results, and 60lbs. put in by the same man with very little difference, but being different kinds of wheat the experiment had little value.

488.Have you had experience of the mallee land in the other State or elsewhere?—Only of small patches in other district, but that experience is of no value

489. Do you consider there is anything in the salt problem, so far as the land which could be used for wheat is concerned, and have you seen crops affected by salt?—Not in the ordinary way. Speaking of salt, I do no know of any patches where you could see the salt on the surface, or where I could attribute poor crops to the presence of salt, but I think the hard pan I have spoken of my be connected in some way with the salt question, but in some other form of salt. Answering your question in the ordinary way, I should say no. I think the water in the dams shows that I have not seen any salt patches except, perhaps, at the Dalyup. . Farm affected in the way I speak of are those of Mr. Stearne and Mr.Harrison alongside, and some of Mr. Townesnd's land. The soil I speak of is not of light colour, but nice looking clay soil. The crops do not seem to germinate as well on that. Generally speaking, through that district, perhaps 25 per cent. of the land would be like that. Perhaps that particular kind of soil require some different method of working, perhaps deeper ploughing.

490 Do you think there is already sufficient proof with the land and crops to say whether the land is all right for farming without further experiments?—It does not look promising from the results of previous years. I would have expected better result. The rainfall has not come at the right time. My chief reason for saying that is that at the present time there is nothing definite that I know of to go on. It would have been better had a start been made some four years ago. I have seen good crops growing there , but think this may be accounted for by the local conditions varying—just chancing to fit in with the season and so on.

491.Do you think a large tank than 600 cubic yards is necessary ?—It depends a great deal on the catchment., but if the catchment area is sufficient I think nothing less than 1,000 cubic yards and 9ft. deep as insisted upon by the Government is wise.