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The Diary of James Brogden, August 1871 – December 1872

29 November 1872

29 November 1872

The Works are exceedingly good and well worth a visit. The scenery is very fine also, - but unfortunately it was rather cloudy, so that we did not get the full benefit of the views, which rather reminded me of the Rocky Mountain Scenery in America, altho’ the trees are not so large nor so beautiful The Gum tree, of which there are several varieties, is the principal tree in the bush; - then the he-oak, and the she-oak are also found – the one with its leaf turned up and other down. Orange groves and vineyards have page 112 been planted in quantity, and do very well. It is said there is a good opening for an educated and experienced Wine-blender, as each grower makes his own wine, and the quality is never certain. The Bush is quite open, and you can ride through it easily; - in fact it has the appearance of a gentleman’s park, – it is full of beautiful birds, and the chirp of the cricket and the croak of the frog are continuous; - quite different from the deal silence of the New Zealand Bush. After ascending the Zig-Zag on the Sydney side we passed along at high elevation for some distance, and then descend another Zig-Zag to the plains, on which is some good land, and nearly cleared. A notch is cut round the trees which are to be destroyed. The Gum trees spread their roots so far about, that the growth of grass is increased by their removal – altho’ for the sake of shade to animals and the dews which condense on the trees it is not advisable to carry out on the work of destruction to an indefinite extent.