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TWO MILE FARMS, circa 1906
Mr. James Fraser, who has for very many years resided on his farm called "Assynt" on the Chatsworth Road, has been associated with the local government bodies since their inception, under the Divisional Boards Act.
He was a member of the old Glastonbury Board and after this was amalgamated with the Widgee Board, has sat thereon, representing No. 1 Subdivision. Although he has contested many elections the ratepayers have always returned him at the head of the poll.
He has 20 acres of land around the house and another paddock of 120 acres at Edwards' Pocket, not far from where the Chatswood cattle dip is situated.
One horse and one bullock team are owned by Mr. Fraser which are engaged pulling log timber from Eel Creek to the Railway Station.
He cultivates about seven acres of land near the house, on which are grown general farm crops for his own use. The soil certainly cannot be classed as first-class for cultivation, but by liberally manuring each crop and keeping the land well worked, success is achieved when nothing but failure would result if the manure and the extra Labour were omitted. The manure generally used is from the cow yard but "kainit" or potash salt - the average analysis of which is 24 per cent sulphate of potash - has been used on one crop of potatoes without obtaining any noticeable improvement in the yield.The light loamy soil in the garden received a dressing of gas lime one year and a very heavy crop of oaten hay was harvested - the lime was scattered over the surface of the land to a depth of about a quarter of an inch and well worked in.
About three acres of the lowest part of the flat near the road are to be sown with paspalum grass next spring. Pannicum chaff is not liked by Mr. Fraser for horses, but he believes that Cape barley is the best green feed for the cows in winter time. It must be remembered, however, that, as Mr. Fraser says, "barley takes a lot out of the ground".
On the two properties there are about 40 head of cattle, without counting working bullocks. The red water caused the deaths of 40, nearly all cows in calf, and it was only the young stock that survived. Ticks are fairly plentiful, though not as numerous as they have been in previous years, and regular dipping every four weeks is still resorted to.
The milking stock have been brought up to a good grade Ayrshire standard, but on account of the cows developing short teats - the usual trouble with this breed-a cross with the Shorthorn is being made.
About 100 fowls are kept, among which the White Leghorn strain is prominent. Pure bred birds of this variety are about to be obtained. A few bags of gas lime have been emptied near the hen house in a shallow bin, and the birds are very partial to this. As soon as they come off the roost in the morning they go to the lime.
On the ridges back from Mr. Fraser's and Mr. Hind's, reside Mrs. Campbell, who owns some seven acres and Mr. Tom McCaulley, who works in one of the mines.