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Shannon News, 16 June 1922, Page 3

Mr W. Ward, of the Central Development Farm, has just returned from a visit to Australia. He states that the irrigation work in the Murrumbidgee district has had wonderful results. What was a large sheep station 10 or 12 years ago is now the site of the town of Deeton, of several thousand inhabitants. The principal industry was fruit-growing, settlement being on the small-farm system. A fine variety of fruit was grown, including all citrus fruits. A fruitcanning factory was in operation, with a large annual output. The irrigation excavator, says Mr Ward, is a wonderful machine. It was operated by steam, and worked by five men, and was capable of digging a ditch 3ft 6in wide by 2ft Gin deep in quick time. Width and depth could be altered to suit requirements, and any class of ground could be dealt with.