Agriculture

Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

Published in 1966 when pigs were not as full on the meat rich Australian dinner table – now we like a bit of crackling and as many chooks as we can eat.

Octavo, 171 pages, Lots of images from photographs, diagrams of various constructions, statistics etc.

Obviously mass animal husbandry practices have moved on (not sure in which direction) since the 1960’s. However, if your thinking about raising a few oinkers this is a good book to start with.

It was written at a time when first time hobby farmer types actually made things rather than just going to the wholesaler and buy absolutely everything or where it cannot be bought get the man in.

Also, we like the careful simplicity without the mention of organics or welfare – it was a time when animals were er looked after like the family.

So a small investment if you are in say the Huon Valley or Southern Highland of NSW or the Queensland tablelands – get to it!

For all those pig lover out there

$25.00

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Winners Medal – Agricultural Society of New South Wales – 1878

The Agricultural Society of New South Wales issued these sumptuous medals to class winners. This one was issued for the 1878 show.

9.0 cm in diameter cast in bronze and makes quite a statement. Made by Hardy Brothers of London and Sydney. A few bumps around the edge and a hint of compression, still beautifully defined and imposing.

Features the female form depicting “New South Wales” standing and looking forward holding alighted torch and holding the wreath of a victor. Around her are four children representing the four seasons with harvest wheat, grapes and sheep to tend. Below in three small panels the arts, agriculture and industry are represented.

On the obverse the victor’s wreath circling the engraved winners details under the slogan of the event “Practice with Science”.

“Sydney Jam Preserving Coy for best Collection of Fruits in Syrup – Sydney 1878”

A good and early example of this grand Agricultural Winners Medal.

$125.00

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A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

Scarce self published, Hobart 2001.

Soft cover, perfect bound, octavo size, 302 pages, illustrated from period photographs, fine condition.

Jim Patterson was born in 1992 in Sydney .. he moved around Australia, married had jobs of sheep stations, woolscour sorter, driver … WWII came long and afterwards in the 1950’s was awarded a War Service Land Settlement block on King Island. This enthralling account is all about the trials and tribulations associated with that life. Politic gets in the way – well it does.

This is a life in a book and the chapters headings give a clue … such as “they burnt the bloody pub down” and “disaster after disaster” … “a boat with one oar” .. the epilogue is more uplifting and it has a nice poem. Don’t be put off – this is a unique account and Jim comes out with a positive conclusion.

King Islands Post War Settler tells the Truth .

$60.00

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Land Settlement in Early Tasmania – Sharon Morgan

Published by Cambridge University Press in 1992. Large octavo, 212 pages, illustrated and a fine copy.

The author has used original letters and diaries as well as Government records and other historical documents to build a reliable picture of the use of land in Tasmania during the early period of Colonialisation. In detail we get to understand the lot of early settlers, their conflicts, pastimes, successes and failures and their impact and attitude to the environment.

Morgan explores the impact of Colonialisation on the landscape of Tasmania

$50.00

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North British Australasian Company Limited – Delay on Wool Clip creates liquidity issues – 1892

Original manuscript letter from the Company Secretary of the North British Australasian Company Limited from their headquarters at 10 Moorgate Street, London E.C. dated 5th July 1892.

Addressed to Cochran Macpherson who were likely the lawyers of 152 Union Street, Aberdeen who were no doubt attending to their wily Scottish clients interests.

I legible hand but for ease of reading … “Dear Sirs, I am in receipt of your letter of the 1st inst and in reply beg to say that the delay in the payment of the Guaranteed interest is owing to the non-arrival of the greater part of the Wool Clip. We have however received a Cablegram saying that same is being pushed forward and expected to arrive here in September. On the completion of the sales whatever amount remains after meeting out-goings in the Colony will be appropriated for interest on the Guaranteed Stock. A payment on account would have been made ere this had it been possible to have sold a large quantity of surplus Live Stock on the Stations at the present time but prices are so extremely low that we are prohibited from doing so .. ”

The North British Australasian Company were formed in the early 1840’s and by the time of this letter had extensive interests in Australia.

What at first hand may be a routine business letter … reflects the difficulties facing the Australian agricultural sector to this day … overstocking when prices are low, delays caused by unforeseen reasons and shareholders expecting guarantees when they cannot be fulfilled.

10 Moorgate is a beautiful building now occupied by ING Group.

Liquidity Issued Politely Explained
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NB – Postage will be reduced on final billing

$90.00

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The Cattle King [The Story of Sir Sydney Kidman] – Ion Idriess

Published in Sydney by Angus and Robertson in 1951.

Octavo, 277 pages, a very good copy in a very good dust jacket, small chip top edge, super clean inside.

The Biography of Sir Sidney Kidman who started with five shillings and eventually controlled over 100 cattle stations an area half the size of Queensland.

Well illustrated from period photographs and end paper maps showing the extent of the Kidman interests at the front and stations, stock routes, coach routes and railways referred to in the text … at the rear.

Good reading & photographs … a cattle empire much in the financial news of late.

$60.00

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Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

Winners Medal – Agricultural Society of New South Wales – 1878

A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

Land Settlement in Early Tasmania – Sharon Morgan

North British Australasian Company Limited – Delay on Wool Clip creates liquidity issues – 1892

The Cattle King [The Story of Sir Sydney Kidman] – Ion Idriess

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