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MY TRIP TO THE WESTERN DISTRICT. II. (By "Mernda.") To take up my travels on my hoh day trip. I was. taken around Cam perdown whilst there, and visi;:d Cob-. ccn, said to be where the finest co oi-rative butter factory wvas estab lished, although not to compare with j Ccsac,.Camperdown, Terang or Warr n:imbool. On the day of my visit it seemed a busy centre, with.nice un dilating country of a good descrip t.on surrounding it. As a matter of fact, go where you will in the. smiling: Western District, and you' will see on a'.i sides signs of progress, comfort, and, to a certain extent, wealth. Of course, there are a number of the early pioneers' descendants who are very wealthy, and I was more than pleased to hear the kindly manner in which the Manifolds, McArthur's, Blacks, and others were spoken of by the farmers. They, as a rule, by their conduct, seem to have gained the respect and esteem of those who have settled on the land. But to continue my journey. On the Monday morning we reluctantly left our kind friends and lovely Cam perdown to resume our journey to Port Fairy. The weather was Al, the journey very pleasant through a smiling and lovely country, with vary ing views as we travelled along, pass ing land of mixed quality, the most singular being that remarkable land for farming called Stoneyfort. It is very strange looking country to farm on, the stones being so thick that one would, think it almost impossible for a beast to feed among the stones, yet I am told by those who should know that some of the fattest bullocks sent from the Western District have come from the Stony Rises. We pass on through varying centres until we arrive at Warrnambool, where we lose most of our passengers. Warrnambool is a very busy and thriving town, the interests connect ed with it being so many and varied. The factories are of so many different kinds, especially the Nestles' Factory at Dennington, which seems almost a little town in itself. I thought it very pretty as we entered Warrnambool the view along the Hopkins River, with the breakwater in the distance. But we only had a short stay at Warr nambool, and we travelled on to Port Fairy, a wonderfully-quiet town, beau tifully laid out with fine wide streets, many of which are planted with de lightful avenues of pine trees. I can not understand why this quaint old town has not gone ahead more. It has the position, is the main port of a magnificent district, has an immea surably superior harbor to Warrnam bool; yet there seems a strange lack of life in the town. True, there was a stir whilst I was there over improv ing the harbor. Contingent on that being done, a Tasmanian company would undertake to develop the Aringa Cement Works. Were this done no doubt a great impetus would be given to Port Fairy business and Port Fairy life. The Glaxo works at North Port Fairy are a great success, and there is no reason why other equally important industries should not prosper and flourish in this town. There is one building in Port Fairy that always appeals to me, and that is the Bank. of Australasia, a quaint two-storeyed ivy-covered building. All 'covered on its walls with ivy, it birings one in mind of the quaint des criptions given in ancient writings of houses in the years long gone by. After a cursory look around the town, we chartered a motor to take us out to Rosebrook, a very quiet little settlement on the Moyne River, about three miles north of Port Fairy. On our way we passed the splendid farms of the late James Goldie and Steele Brothers, being among pro bably the best farmers in the State capable farmers managing good farms and that to best advantage. We arrived at our journey's end and found a warm welcome awaiting us at Blair Athol, my wife's old and much-loved home. Of the many love ly homes in this fine district few can compare with Blair Athol. The home stead is situated on a beautiful vol canic rise, unsurpassed soil and com fortable 'buildings, while a prolific growth of pines and other trees around the station all tends to make it an ideal home, whilst a few miles distant that extinct volcano, Tower Hill, looms largely in view, and what are called the Ridges show up clearly in a semi-circle. It is a very quiet spot, and one that can be honestly re commended for a good holiday, away from the.hurly-burly of town life. Rosebi'rook is especially a quiet place, and: hardly worthl calling a town, as far as population is concern ed. There is a State school, a Bap tist and "a Methodist Church; other wise it is given .up to farming, onion growing being very much in vogue. Once it was renowned for potatoes, Sbut of late the fluctuations in the price have caused the farmers, as a rule, to go in for onion growing in lieu of potato growing. Farming, especially. daii.ying, is the main use made of the land here, and it is a paying proposition when properly car ried out. I venture to say that few farms in the State give better returns 'or are better managed, than that of Steele Brothers, of Rosebrook; but whilst speaking to Mr. William Steele, he told.me, as a practical farmer, and as one who knows what he is talking about, that had he to hand-milk his cows and pay the fixed rate of wages, he could not do it. The milking ma chines enable him to work his land successfully and profitably. Steele Brothers were milking over 100 cows when I visited their farm, all the milk ing being done by machinery. Their milk all goes to the Glaxo factory of which a brother, Mr. James Steele, is chairman of directors, and has been since its inception. The further I travel.and the more I see 'of the vhri ous systems of farming, the more I am convinced that the only sure road to success is to do the work efficiently and well. Doing that you will reap a sure reward; failing that, non-success and loss.

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