the balance on improvements, being allowed to pay the balance afterwards. Until the mallee shoots are eradicated a man cannot make anything out of the land, but then can start fallowing and get a return. Fire is the best method of clearing and if stubble is not available the best plan is to use a fire harrows. As to area, I think a farmer should be allowed to select up to 1,000 acres, and in the first year he could roll down 300. It takes 200 to 250 to balance expenses in the first year. An 8ft. roller is most effective and requires less horse strength than a 10ft. Here the Government constructed roads and brought water originally for 2s. 6d. per acre, but now 3s. is charged on the capital value per acre, which is a great boon. Every road that is surveyed is cleared a quarter chain and made available at once for settlers. In sandy country more seed can be used than on the flats. We usually sow here half a bushel, but some sow up to 1¼ bushel. After twenty years the land is better than ever; it takes more working but makes better land. One outstanding feature about mallee land is that it is so cheap to get it under cultivation.

Ouyen, 13th April, 1917.