Geisler and Schulz

... The first dwelling encountered in the hundred, pursuing the course of the Cygnet River towards its source, is that of Mr. N. Brennand, who was "gumming" near to Stokes Bay on the day of my visit. That his farm is not neglected, however, is evident from the neatness which distinguishes it, and the stability of the various buildings. A mile distant, on the opposite side of the road, are the homes of Messrs. H. Geisler, and A. Schultz, who own 1,900 acres, 200 of which have been deprived of their natural covering of thicket in less than three years. Two crops have been reaped, but neither was particularly satisfactory. Messrs. Schulz & Geisler, however, are by no means despondent. The large portion of their soil is dark sand, from 6 to 8 in. deep with a clay subsoil, and (according to Mr. Schultz) needs only to be opened and sweetened to grow first-rate crops. Vines and 130 mixed fruit trees are making excellent headway, and, like vegetables, appear to do better than grain. The farm is efficiently stocked in all departments, and affords a further illustration of the methodical, economical, and industrious nature of our German farmers. ...

Kangaroo Island Farms.

No. VI. MESSRS GEISLER & SCHULZ'S PROPERTY.

The early part of this week witnessed heavy rains on K.I. as elsewhere, and the Cygnet River came down ' a banker.' Consequently Messrs Geisler and Schulz's farm in the Hundred of Cassini was in a somewhat moist condition (to put it mildly) on Tuesday last, and was therefore, probably, not seen under the best conditions. Still the inspection sufficed to show that good progress is being made by these well known farmers, who are perfectly satisfied with their holding. What is known as the Nor' - West Branch Creek runs through Messrs Geisler and Schulz's farm, which is situated some twenty miles from Kingscote, and within a short distance of Bark Hut.

The property comprises 1900 acres, chiefly grey sandy soil, and includes ironstone also. The land that is cropped is used principally for hay-growing purposes and last year on flats and hillsides averaged a return of 2 tons per acre. Wheat sowed the first year on the farm (which has been occupied for a term of four years) gave a return of 9 bushels per acre, and Mr Geisler is of opinion that the bulk of the back country will grow payable crops of this cereal after a few year's sweetening of the soil. But it is to the creation of a fine orchard and vineyard that Messrs Geisler and Schulz are concentrating most of their efforts. They both hail from the famous Angaston district, where Mr Geisler had many year's experience in fruit and vine culture, and be states that in all his experience of that fertile district he has never seen vines and fruit trees show better growth and development than they do here, and the fruit can not be excelled anywhere. He then piloted the visitor to a three-acre plot of fruit trees and grape vines—most of them 3 years and the balance 2 years old. The fruit trees comprised many varieties, the apple predominating, and the grape vines were of the table variety. Trees and vines were in splendid order and one 3-year-old peach tree particularly showed splendid growth. Mr Geisler stated that during his 25 years' experience of fruit-growing in the Angaston district he had never seen anything like it for development. Last year a case of peaches was taken from the tree. This season 200 more fruit trees and 1,000 currant vines will be planted out on the property. Four years from now he anticipates that they will have an orchard and vineyard 30 or 40 acres in extent. He added that fruit, particularly apples, will do well on the ironstone country.

As for vegetables, these grow in profusion here as elsewhere on the Island. We saw some gigantic pie melons growing near the creek, and were informed that from a small piece of land not a quarter of an acre in extent 3 or 4 tons of pumpkins and melons were taken this year and used principally for the stock. One piemelon scaled 90lbs; and last year two melons were taken into Kingscote from this farm, weighing respectively 74lbs. and 72lbs. There is a fine vegetable garden not far from the house from which the year before last from a vary small area thereof Messrs Gelsler and Schulz picked 50 dozen cucumbers every week for about two months. Other vegetables also do well, and cabbages have been grown up to 25lbs. weight. Mr Geisler and his partner have every faith in the future of the Island and, like a number of other K.I. farmers, are very emphatic in. their denunciation of the manner in which the Government experimental plots have been conducted. In the first place, Mr Geisler considers that the plots— to give the country a fair trial — should have been grubbed, not mullenized. The plots at present being put in, he states, will be completed about the middle of this month when they should have been finished during April or the beginning of May.

He gives it as his opinion that instead of doing good to the Island last year's experiments have caused an immense amount of harm, and more sense would have been displayed if the money spent on the plots had been devoted to the improvement of roads. With regard to the question of a light line of railway Mr Geisler remarked that, with a railway running within easy distance of his holding enough timber and stumps alone could be trucked away to the port to give the partners a comfortable yearly income.

The yacca gum industry has claimed the attention of Messrs Geisler and Schulz, and last season they cut 140 tons of the gum. Mr Geisler is of opinion that there is any amount of land on the Island well adapted for the growth of potatoes. He sowed a small strip of these useful vegetables last year, fertilising with a little Mount Lyell super, and secured a splendid yield. It is on the subject of fruit-growing, however, that Mr Geisler becomes enthusiastic, for he considers that there is no place in South Australia that can beat K.I. in this respect. In the meantime he is gradually clearing the land and sowing cocksfoot grass here and there about the property. He and his partner are both 'grafters' and we must not forget to add that Mrs Geisler and Mrs Schulz ably second their efforts, for half the battle is won by the pioneer's helpmate in the ' outback' country.

FRUITGROWING ON KANGAROO ISLAND.

A couple of years ago the writer spent a month on Kangaroo Island, and in the course of extensive travels toured the Hundred of Cassini. Notwithstanding that much of it was over rough, rugged country, the journey was delightful, and left a lasting impression. One of the first farms encountered was that of Messrs. H. Geisler and A. Schulz, about 20 miles from Kingscote, and within a short distance of Bark Hut. The approach to the homestead followed a winding watercourse, which bordered a rich though small flat. Mr. Schultz was home at the time, and it did not take long to sum him up as a man of grit and determination. He admitted that he and his partner had had to work hard, and generally a good deal more than eight hours a day; but he was confident that the time would come when they would be able to rest on their oars. They held 1,900 acres between them, and in less than three years had cleared 200 acres, the major portion of which had been cropped with only moderate success on two occasions. The remainder had been put under vines and planted with fruit trees, which promised well. Recently the farm was visited by a representative of The Kangaroo Island Courier who was piloted by Mr. Geisler to a three acre plot of fruit trees and grape vines— most of them three years and the balance two years old. The fruit trees comprised many different kinds, with the apple predominating, and the grape vines were of the table variety. Trees and vines were in splendid order, and one three-year-old peach tree particularly showed splendid growth. Mr. Geisler stated that during his 25 years' experience of fruitgrowing in the Angaston district he had never seen anything like it for development. Last year a case of peaches was taken from the tree. This sea son 200 more fruit trees and 1,000 currant vines will be planted out. Four years from now Mr. Geisler expects that they will have an orchard and vineyard 30 or 40 acres in extent. He added that fruit, particularly apples, will do well on the iron stone country.

—Experimental Plots.—

Vegetables grow in profusion here as elsewhere on the island. Some gigantic pie melons have been grown near to the creek, and from a small piece of land not a quarter of an acre in extent 3 or 4 tons of pumpkins and melons were taken this year, and used principally for the stock. One piemelon scaled 90 lb., and last year two melons, taken into Kingscote. weighed respectively 74 lb. and 72 lb. There is a fine vegetable garden, close to the house, and the year before last from a small area Messrs. Geisler & Schulz picked 50 dozen cucumbers every week for about two months. Cabbages have been grown up to 25 lb. in weight. Mr. Geisler and his partner have every faith in the future of the island, and, like a number of other Kangaroo Island farmers, are emphatic in their denunciation of the manner in which the Government experimental plots have been conducted. In the first place, Mrs. Geisler considers that the plots— to give the country a fair trial — should have been grubbed, not mullenized. The plots at present being put in, he state, will be completed about the middle of this month, whereas they should have been finished during April or the be ginning of May. In his opinion, instead of doing good to the island, last year's experiments have caused an immense amount of harm, and more sense would have been displayed if the money spent on the plots had been devoted to the improvement of roads. Relative to the question of a light, line of railway, Mr. Geisler remarked that, with a railway running within easy distance of his holding, enough timber and stumps alone could be trucked away to the port to give the partners a comfortable yearly income. The yacca gum industry has claimed the attention of Messrs. Geisler and Schulz, and last season they cut 140 tons of the gum.