Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/239

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A PEEP AT BULLETIN AND RICHLANDS.
235

"Why not?" said Mr. Lufton, waxing patriotic.

"I don't think there is better land in the world than that you have round Branxholm, or I have at Bulletin"

"Very likely," said Allan; "but with so little rain, such a want of navigable rivers and of coal, it is impossible that we can ever rival "I never expect such an admission from you, Allan," said Mr. Luffon, reproachfully, "after the lecture you gave me about not making the best of Bulletin"

"Perhaps it is one of our advantages that we have this dry climate to fight with;' said Allan "Things would be too easy for us if we had twice as much rain, and perhaps the climate would be less healthy."

"But you do not deny that Australia is a very good pls I don't think you have any cause to complain of it," said Mr. Luftom

"No, indeed," said Allan; "but what I meant was that we never could have so large a population here as in Europe or America The great bulk of the land must be kept in pasture; some of it, such as this, is not fit for pasture at all The English price of wool fixes the point at which sheep-farming ceases to pay, and I suppose