Tasmania is notorious for the stiff grades found on many of her highways. It is a libel on Scotch intelligence and engineering skill to affirm a man from the 'Land o' Cakes' planned our hilly roads. There are many sins to be accounted for in connection with the laying out of these roads, and want of just consideration for others is one of them. No, a 'mon frae bonny Scot land' never struck 'oot' the road leading from Karoola to Underwood. And there are roads in other parts of the State that give evidence of an "awfu want o' Scotch jidgment" in the laying out. However, farms are found clustering along the sides and summit of the ridge forming a continuation of Brown Mountain.
Mr Box is located on the left side ascending from Karoola railway station. This 100-acre block is much broken, and the soil in places along the rise very sandy, which latter fact accounts for the light crops of oats, peas, and potatoes noticed. Rain in full quantity has been wanting, and is now greatly needed. So far failure has marked Mr Box's effort to make a good orchard, but a better site may perhaps be found on the sloping ground , now under potato crop, just beyond the residence.
On the right hand of this road, and opposite Mr Box's land, and on still higher ground, Mr Dickson has located himself. His farm is not by any means a table land, hence passing from house to field should develop good appetite, and result in a strong pair of pedestrian digits. Crops are not equal to last year's result, although a nice plot of potatoes is found near his residence.
Continuing the upward climb, and when the top is gained, after much perspiring, one takes a breath opposite Mr James M'Gaughy's homestead. This farmer owns a block of 40 acres. The crops are fairly good, and perhaps ahead of last season's standard. Shortage of feed in the district renders cattle unsaleable. His brother William is a next neighbor, and it is upon his land, or a block given by him, that the little Presbyterian Church stands. A number of small holdings follow, the limited area of which does not permit of fallowing, but rotation of crops could well take its place. Being different in composition, the soil along this ridge is of deeper color than along the front. Iron stone is abundant.
Mr Benn is the largest landowner here, his block comprising 176 acres. Really good crops are found on this farm, about 50 acres, including 11 acres of potatoes, representing the harvest prospect. Mr Benn raises Jersey stock, and a cross with Ayrshires represents his milch herd. Up to the present butter has been made on the farm. A great amount of clearing and other improvements have been effected during the past 16 years, when Mr Benn came into possession. The forest on the hill top gives one an idea of the difficulty met in clearing this land for cultivation. Stone fruit is shaping well in the garden, and the trees are healthy. Quite a number of local farmers crop without the aid of suitable manures, depending wholly on the season for results. Where manure is employed a marked difference in cereal and other growths is observable.
Mr Olson does very little farming, but has a fine lot of poultry, chiefly engaging his attention. His block of land junctions with those of the M'Gaughys. Looking down the flat formed by the course of the Piper River one sees a small block of 50 acres owned by Mr Warren Mace, of Launceston, but occupied by Mr C. Jacobs. Small fruit is chiefly grown, with hay for home use.
Rising from the said river, and stretching along its course, lies a block of 250 acres, own ed by Mrs Cameron. General farming is adopted, and the present season's crops are fairly good. A heavy forest clothes the uncultivated land in this locality, and generally the trees are tall. A sawmill is located at the junction of the through road, but report has it the same is to be removed.