Geraldton Guardian (WA : 1906 - 1928), Saturday 16 June 1928, page 4


COGLA DOWNS STATION

SUCCESSFUL ORANGE GROWING

Cogla Downs Station, owned by Mr. Chas. Beaton, once known as Nettlie, is situated some 30 odd miles east of .Cue. The word 'Cogla' is the native name for the fruit of a climbing- plant, which is to be found chiefly in mulga country, and may be seen frequently on the run which bears its name. Whilst the sun shone brightly from a clear' sky, orange and green of bright

est hues met the eye within one portion of the enclosure, on approaching the homestead; whilst pale green and yellow were outstanding colors in another portion. An array of healthy navel orange trees, laden with perfectly formed fruit, the greater portion of which was fully ripe, and a smaller portion nearly ripe, provided the richer, whilst mandarins and lemons that of the lighter shades The quality and size of the oranges and lemons left nothing to be desired. For statistical purposes Mr. Beaton had taken count of the fruit on the trees, the figures being as follows :— 13 navel orange trees totalling 111 dozen oranges, one tree alone carrying a load of 14 dozen; two mandarin trees totalling 123 oranges, appeared to be carrying as much as their limbs could bear. The yield cannot be regarded otherwise than a good one, as the trees are only I 4 to 6 years old, and were re-planted when 2 years old. For several years the rainfall has been very slight, last [year in particular only 5 inches being

recorded. A well of splendid water has been utilised for keeping the trees in perfect condition, and transforming, a portion' of red earth into an oasis. A lofty commodious 'home in. the making, flower beds, vegetable plots and lawns, are within the fence, which divides the oasis from a surrounding of arid earth. Outside the fence on the bare red earth, which is fringed with mulga at the further side, a' golf course has been laid out, and as hazards arc absent and buukers few, long hard drives can be indulged in. A tennis court on the hardened earth provides a good ground for this active winter game. Beyond the fringe of mulga there are' stretches of mulga and still more mulga, here and there broken by open bush plains or breakaway .rise?, -where sheep and cattle find a living, and provide the sinews of war for the owner to carry on with. A long dry period has been experienced through the Murchison and the country except for the mulga and shrubs, was destitute of grass and weeds. The good rains, which fell last week have already begun to show results in tints of green over the red brown earth ner.r the homestead. Further out where the heavier rain fell, the sheep and lambs are beginning to nibble herbage with the result that later -on their condition will be all that may be desired. — ''Clay Pan Joe,' in. the 'Murchison. Times.'