Transcription

[Page 181]
[Notebook page:] 175b
48
DARLING DISTRICT.

SHEEP FARMING IN DARLING DOWNS.

Since the early occupation in 1840 of the range Country the whole country favourable for sheep farming in Darling downs has been taken up & occupied in large runs these are generally open forest or extensive plains with here and there a belt of Briccolo & Myall shrub  Both Sheep and Cattle improve on the leaves of the Myall and Briccolo Shrub.

This country is better adapted for sheep farming than the swampy runs which are situated in the range of New England & this may be said for thirty or forty miles to the Northward or Southward of Richmond mountain - In Darling Downs the appearance of general health of the animals is disposed & travellers make this remark having passed through these districts.

Owing to the open nature of the country in Darling downs, sheep farming is conducted at considerable less expence there than in New England.  A farmer having fifteen thousand sheep in Darling downs employs only seven shepherds. & two watchmen -  The same number of sheep in New England requires fourteen shepherds & seven watchmen, and in former years a Calculation was made for twelve to thirteen Thousand sheep that thirty men were required.

These advantages with the superior climate without the severe frosts of New England Some winters & spring in Darling downs without a single night of frost & having at all Seasons[Sweet herbage and grass, the sheep farmer may be said to be in better country for increase or fattening either for his flocks of sheep or herds of Cattle.
At the Sheep Stations abounding in Myall & BrIccolo shrub the sheep feed three days in the week in the shrub & four days outside in the plains or open country.  During years of scarcity or in dry & parched seasons, the shepherds employ the native blacks to cut down the Myall and BrIccolo shrub for the use of the Sheep, this is occassioned by the sheep thinning the leaves beyond reach. Shepherds in these countries have good and well trained dogs for the purpose of rounding up on the outside of the flocks while they are inside the scrub they leave none behind.  By the sheep farmers adopting the rule in Myall & BrIccolo Country they find their flocks in excellent condition. During winter the sheep in this district are shifted from one station to another; this allows time for herbage to spring up in the recent station by this attention the condition of the sheep is greatly improved.

TABLE OF CENSUS I N NEW SOUTH WALES  INCLUDING PORT PHILLIP
 

FROM 1788 TO 1846

                               Persons                                Persons Year 1788                  1030     Year 1836             77:096
        1810                11.590             1841           130:856   
        1821                29:788             1846           187:413  
        1828                36:593             1850           265:503  

 

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