FROM DROUGHT TO PLENTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1633, 4 November 1916, Page 2

FROM DROUGHT TO PLENTY.

AX interesting descriplion of striking recovery from drought conditions is given by Mr (1. W. Whatmore, manager of the Queensland Motor Agency, Limited, who recently completed a long motoring tour through the central west and the north-west of Queensland. Lasr year at about the same lime he traversed the same parts of Queensland, and it was then in the grip of the drought. Sheep and cattle and marsupials were dying everywhere, and the country presented a most desolate and disheartening appearance. This time the outlook was completely changed. Eor the 2,785 miles traversed (he country on every hand looked splendid. The scene had undergone a wonderful transformation. “The hitherto desolate Helds and plains,” he says, “are now beautiful meadows of luxurious growths of natural grasses and spring (lowers of various colours.

stretching for m’any hundreds of mill's in all directions, and lending a fairyland appearance to the countryside. Forest frees —currajong, sandalwood, and brigalow—are also in blossom. So great is the growth of herbage and grasses on the black sail plains—from 2ft. to 111. in height—that if the country was possessed of ten times its present slock it would be impossible for them to to eat it down. Enfortunately, however, following upon the disastrous period of drought, the stock is greatly diminished. Tho wheal and barley Helds on the western line, from Toowoomba lo ivoinn, look splendid."