The Springs

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Saturday 29 October 1910, page 5

Kangaroo Island Farms.

No XIV (sic) (should read XIII)

THE SPRINGS.

The above property, comprising 2000 acres, was acquired from Mr W. Aldridge by Mr C. C. Castine about two years ago. It was at that time known as Carlyon Farm, but Mr Castine has re-christened it The Springs. Close to the comfortable residence which is nicely situated on the slope of a hill is a fine permanent spring of fresh water which, in earlier days, was utilised by Mr John Turner, of Smith's Bay, who carted water from there for stock and other purposes. The Springs is situated in the Hundred of Cassini and is typical ironstone land over a yellow clay subsoil. It is of peculiar interest by reason of the experiments being made in the direction of growing imported grasses, such as the Paspalum dilatatum, Yorkshire Fog, cocksfoot, mellilotus and others.

A representative of the Courier recently visited the farm and was impressed by the headway being made. In paddocks adjoining the homestead even the native grasses were growing luxuriantly and Mr Simon Vokes' recent statement re the most suitable manure for the ironstone country was borne out by the fact that, on the site of an old fowl house, the grass was from 3ft. to 4ft. in height and as thick almost as a mat. On one small section Mr Aldridge sowed originally a crop of rye. The following season Mr Castine sowed in this paddock barley and oats for the bullocks to graze upon, at the same time putting in about 3lbs of paspalum and 1lb. of lucerne — with splendid results, particularly as regards the first-named, as the grass shows a rigorous and healthy growth - the plants, in places, measuring 3 feet across. Next year this paddock should be simply one mass of herbage. Another grass which is making good headway on the property is the Trifolium subterraneum. A fine healthy sight was a 40-acre rape paddock — simply a blaze of yellow tops. This succulent fodder will materially help to build up The Springs as a grazing property. Self sown rape in an adjoining field had attained a height of 3ft. 6 in. A plot of rye (experimental), second year's cultivation, which had been fed down, also looked well, also a crop of Calcutta Cape oats for hay. Thirty acres of Jacob's No. 3 wheat on new land looked ' fair to medium.' This had experienced a rough time owing to the excessively heavy rains of the past winter.

There is at The Springs an 'orchard -in-the-making,' which comprises about 400 trees, the majority of which have a decidedly promising appearance. When Mr Castine first secured The Springs 100 acres had been cleared, but the cleared area is now close on 300 acres. It is Mr Castine's intention to thoroughly clear a certain amount each year, gradually getting the property under grass, and be firmly believes that it will make good sheep country. He considers the land wants two years' cultivation at least before the grass is put in. He believes that all ploughing, harrowing and scarifying can be done on the new land by bullocks and, with these, if the settler has grass country, there will be no need for hay. He is also a firm believer in the growing of oats or rubbish for the purpose of securing a good burn over the freshly cleared land.

The Springs will, in time, become a valuable property. To achieve this end will involve an expenditure of brains, capital and energy, but we believe the end will justify the means.

Kangaroo Island Farms. (1910, October 29). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191638660

Twenty miles from Kingscote lives Mr J. W. Aldridge, of Carlyon Farm, whose first wheat crop, sown broadcast, is looking really well. Fruit trees at Carlyon Farm are doing well, and there is also an excellent crop of vegetables, such as peas, cauliflowers, etc. The place was at one time known as Spring Farm on account of the spring of fresh water in a gully near the house. Mr Aldridge (who is a young fellow with plenty of grit and determination), had to rough it a good deal at first but now he has a nice residence built bungalow fashion, and situated on a gentle slope from which one has a splendid view of Nepean Bay.

A Trip Out Back. (1907, December 7). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191629612