being that all humus is devoured by the dense fibrous roots of the mallee.

(i.) That the prevailing method of bringing mallee under cultivation is for the settler to roll down as many acres as he is able to deal with, certainly not more than 200 acres the first year, this being subject to a great extent to the labour he has at his disposal. It is much better for him to go slowly and deal with 100 acres the first year than undertake more than he can manage, but it is imperative that a proper fireguard be cleared around the rolled lands to ensure that only the rolled land is burnt off. The selection of a suitable day for the burn is most important, and too much stress cannot be placed upon the necessity of a north wind and a hot day for a burn, as the cost of ridding the land of suckers greatly depends upon a good burn. A one-way disc cultivator may be used to advantage, and then a crop drilled in say of 50lbs. of wheat and 70lbs. of super. If a passable crop of say, six or seven bushels grows, the settler can by means of a fire rake give the suckers a good scorching and this method is found in all parts of the mallee to be the most effective. The land is dealt with in this manner for three successive years and oats is recommended to be sown the third year, after which time most of the suckers will be killed, that is to say provided all work has been done as it should be. The land should then be put in fallow and worked as stated. The settler of course would then roll down as much land as he could deal with each year and treat it in a similar way. The general opinion on mallee lands in the Eastern States is that a fair crop can be expected the fifth year if the land be fallowed and well worked and suckers kept well under. At the same time it must be understood that the settler can expect only a low average from his farm, as, though he has 300 acres in crop in his fifth year, only 100 acres is fallowed, and the other 200 acres would give light yields and bring his average down to about six or seven bushels from 300 acres.

(j.) It is recognised in the Eastern States that mallee country requires a deal of fostering in its early stages, and with that fact in view the Governments of those States have done their utmost to assist the settlers by liberal land laws, more especially during the first 10 years of settlement. Success is only achieved in mallee country by perseverance and pluck, even when reasonable facilities are provided such as roads, railways, and water supplies. Given these, and good settlers, prosperity of the State will surely follow in malice country provided by Nature with a good rainfall.

(k.) The Report of the Royal Commission of 1902, on the Pinnaroo country of South Australia (which was the second Commission authorised to enquire into the question) discloses the fact that a natural antipathy against mallee country was in existence for many years in South Australia before it was over-ridden. Pinnaroo is now one of the most prosperous farming districts in South Australia, and the Pinnaroo line one of the best paying railways. The Commission deem it desirable to append copy of the Royal Commission's report, and particularly wish to point out the dissents to the country being opened up by Messrs. Lewis, Miller, Pascoe, and Kirkpatrick, the latter gentleman taking the stand that agricultural experiments should be carried out extending over three years. The antipathy of Mr. William Paterson to mallee country is disclosed in his minority report of the Railway Advisory Board. The similarity of the reports is peculiar.

(l.) That in Victoria the Government deems it necessary to extend the term of payment for lands over 40 years, as shown in Mr. Kenyon's statement. Mr. Kenyon also makes special reference to methods of clearing mallee, the results obtained, and the capital necessary for a man within reach of railways and other facilities. When these are provided mallee land with improvements is worth £2 10s. to £3 per acre, the improvements costing from £1 to 30s. per acre. In South Australia, payments are extended over 40 years, without any payment in the first four years; during the following six years the settlers are required to pay interest at the rate of 2 per cent. per annum. The balance is paid in 60 half-yearly instalments, with interest at the rate of £2 15s. 5d. for every £100 purchase money.