ing
on his own account. It is also common to place cattle with a fanner who
has a good run, at the rate of sevenpence or eightpcnce per head per
month, he rinding all labour, and thus the foundation of a herd may be
laid, which will speedily repay its outlay as well by profits as
increase. The former of these plans, where the capital is insufficient
at first to enter upon a run, will, in a few years, enable the
possessor to accomplish his original intention, if he steadily adhere
to it. Even in this way dairy-farming, stock and horse breeding are
very profitable modes of investment, and are free from many dangers
which beset sheep-farming. Numbers of the wealthiest men in Australia
have risen from less beginnings than these.
Other
occupations in abundance present themselves, whilst experience is being
gained; for all men with small capital should gain this before finally
settling down. "But, next to gold finding, agricultural and pastoral
occupations should be the point at which the small capitalist aims. He
will choose the one or the other, as his avarice or his inclination
prompts; but having chosen his course, let everything tend towards the
end desired. A small farm, for instance, is easily obtained in
Australia, either by purchase or on lease. This may not, at first
sight, appear to promise a fortune, but it will, in reality, lay the
foundation of one. A few acres under cultivation, a few milking cows,
pigs, poultry, &c., may not make a show in the amount of their
produce at market, but they will keep the establishment without outlay,
while experience is being gained, and while the stock we have spoken of
is increasing. There will be no needless cash expenditure, whilst the
silent, but sure increase of the capital invested in stock is going on
at a rate which beats compound interest, even at twelve per cent. In
the ordinary condition of the colony, a hundred pounds per annum will
go as far as two or three hundred at home; and there are no taxes,
excise, poor-rates, church-rates, tithes, and other unbeneficial
charges, which are constantly draining the pockets of the English
farmer. If capital be only judiciously applied, not forced into activity
