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1878
May 1878
When Frederick Savage Cox died in 1878 he was living at Wallinga1
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1899
14 March 1899
A Wonderful Plough.
Field Trial at Wallinga.
Those who assembled in the Wallinga paddocks on Saturday afternoon to witness a field trial of the Spalding Robbins disc plough were treated to an exhibition, which was highly interesting and of great practical value. The rotary disc plough is totally different in construction from the ordinary set plough, the shears being replaced by revolving saucer shaped discs, which are braced on to to a triangular frame, and cutting into the ground at an angle, thoroughly pulverize it. It is almost impossible to explain the details and workings of this implement without diagrams, but Mr. James Loneragan the sole district agent gives such ample opportunity to farmers to witness the machine at actual work, that there is no need for anyone to fail to acquaint himself with this latest mechanical aid to good farming. The test to which the plough was put on Saturday was most severe. It was first put into a stubble paddock which has been under cultivation for some years, but which was in a very bad condition. The discs entered it with ease, and turned up 2 inches or more of new ground. It cut three furrows each 6½ inches, and while four horses were employed they were obviously not in real ploughing condition. Certainly the plough sets up a most perfect seed bed. The ground is completely pulverised for the full depth to which it is broken. There is no ridging, and no piling up of clods, which would require two or three harrowings to break up. After the stubble paddock had been tackled, a move was made to some new ground. It was as stiff as stiff could be. Pure yellow clay, which was only Yankee grubbed and therefore full of blind stumps. When the assembled company saw the ground there was not one who believed that it would be possible for the implement to enter it. It would be impossible to find a tougher, harder, or rougher piece of ground. The plough entered it at once though to the astonishment of everyone. It cut the furrow dead straight and completely broke the ground to a depth of between 5 and 6 inches. It rides over the larger stumps, splitting and bursting up others. We have some in our office now, which we brought in from the field, and they prove how immensely strong this plough must be. The writer has seen scores of ploughs at work in field trials, but Saturday’s exhibition was quite unique. All agreed that there was no other plough which could do the work which the Spalding Robbins Rotary Disc did. Mr. Loneragan certainly deserves the thanks of the farming community for going to the expense of organizing these exhibitions, and it will be seen that a further series of trials are to be held. The dates are: - Mr. W. Brown's, Burrundulla, March 13th; Mr. Kennedy's, Cooyal, March 15th; Mr. H. Caughey's, Bombira, March 18th, all at 2 p.m., and we strongly advise farmers to attend2
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23 September 1899
THE "WALLINGA" ESTATE.
The F A X (Messrs F. and A. Cox) stud sheep started in 1866 from Mr. G. H. Cox's ewes, which were pure Spanish merinos, and came originally from George III. Stud flock imported by Mr. J. B. Montefiore, from whom G. H. Cox (Wimbourne) bought, and also from a flock at that time called Empress Josephine, now the celebrated Rambouillet sheep. At the time they purchased the ewes from the Hon. G. H. Cox, the late Mr. C. C. Cox, of Broombee; began sheepbreeding. Mr. A H. Cox went with the late Mr. C. C. Cox to purchase the Silesian rams from the Hon. E. K. Cox, who gave the farmer a ram, the first cross from his imported Silesian. From this time out no sire has been ever used unless from this family. In 1874 a young ram was dropped from a selected ewe by the old Broombee pet (a champion sire). This sheep turned out a great sire, and since then all of the best sires have sprung from him. In 1886 again another very fine ram was dropped called Nugget, the wool and covering being very similar to previous ones, though a very difierent-built sheep; and, as the name implies, a wonderfully robust sheep, short legs, with large round deep barrel; wool, short, dense, and even. A son of Nugget's took two champion prizes in Mudgee; the wool was of fair length, even and dense, good character, and had splendid thighs and bold front. The highest price for wool was spout-washed; it brought 4s per lb in '72; in '77 the clip of wool, including locks from Wallinga, brought 1s per lb, a wonderful price. In '79 it brought 1s 4½d per lb. In 1880 1s per lb for everything. From 1873 to 1879 the Wallinga sheep carried off eleven first-class prizes at the Mudgee Shows; two champion prizes, eight second prizes, and a special. Since Messrs. Douglas and Edwin Cox, Upper Wallinga, started in 1896, the first time the sheep were ever shown out of Mudgee, at Dubbo, they took first prize for a ram under two years, first prize for a pen of two ewes, any age. The ram cut 28lb in 1898, and this year 26lb. In 1898 they did not show. Last May at the Mudgee Show a ewe over two years took second prize. At the Sydney Sheepbreeders,' Association in June last they took second prize for a ram, grass-fed, and ewe second prize over two and a half. The ewe cut 18lb this year6
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26 September 1899
The Wallinga Stud
We hope that Mudgee sheep owners will send us all figures of interest re shearing. We have previously published some of the Wallinga stud flock returns, and we now have some further interesting details. Six stud ewes gave fleeces weighing 16½, 17, 17½, 18, 19, and 20lbs., an average of just 18lbs., which is a splendid return. In addition to the sale of 125 ewes to Mr. George New, which we reported in our last issue, Mrs. M. H. Cox sold to the same buyer two stud rams at 20 guineas each7
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1900
23 March 1900
Wallinga.
Wallinga is a Mudgee district property which is being very greatly improved. Mr. Fred Cox, who manages the property for his mother. Mrs. M. H. Cox, believes in putting all the land to its best use, and therefore is extending the area of cultivation and lucerne for grazing. The Wallinga stud is, as all sheepmen know, one of the very best in New South Wales, and there are always a few aristocrats for inspection. Wallinga rams and ewes are sought for by some of the best sheep men in the colony, men who look for profit from their flocks8
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1901
23 December 1901
Rams
The Wallinga Stud.
Mr. H. E. Martin, of Wellington, paid a flying visit to Mudgee on Thursday for the purpose of inspecting some of the Wallinga stud rams, on behalf of his brother, Mr. George Martin, of Gunnegaldrie. Mr. Martin, than whom there is no better judge, has a very high opinion of the Wallinga stud, and before leaving purchased for Gunnegaldrie a very fine 4-tooth ram for 100 guineas. The sheep was sired by Old Oakey, and carries a heavy fleece with pronouncedly black tip and deep body folds. Last season the fleece weighed 36lb. Mr. Martin saw some of the ram's progeny, and speaks highly of them as being heavily corded and full of promise. Mr. Martin speaks most highly of the Wallinga stud, the grading and classification of which reflects great credit on Mr. F. D. Cox, who manages the stud for his mother, Mrs. M. H. Cox9
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1906
1 March 1906
Wallinga Sheep.
Thus the Blackman's Flat correspondent of the Lithgow 'Mercury':- Inspired by his success at the Sydney wool sales, in December last, our local wool producer, Mr. Humphries, journeyed to Mudgee last week to attend a sale of pure-bred merino stud rams with the object of buying some, and thus endeavour to further improve his present class of wool. Mr. Humphries returned on Saturday, bringing with him 12 splendid young rams, 18 months old, for which he gave a very tidy figure. The rams were bred at the well-known Cox's station, Mudgee10
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1910
7 March 1910
SALE OF WALLINGA RAMS.
Stewart and Smith report having sold at the Mudgee showground, on March 3, on account of Mrs. F. D. Cox, of Wallinga, 80 rams. Bidding was very brisk and had there been more rams penned, they would have been readily disposed of at satisfactory prices. Those sold averaged from £6/6/ to £2/12/6. The last opportunity of purchasing from this famous flock will be offered in August next, when Stewart and Smith will dispose of the whole of the Wallinga rams11
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6 July 1910
DISPERSAL OF THE WALLINGA STUD.
A unique opportunity will be afforded sheep men to secure some of the good old type of Mudgee sheep by the dispersal sale of the famous Wallinga Stud, which will take place on the Mudgee Show ground on August 17. The owner, Mrs. M. H. Cox, has decided to relinquish sheep-breeding and the whole of the sheep will be sold at auction, without reserve, to the highest bidder. The history of the flock dates back to 1866, and it was started in that year by Messrs. F. and A. Cox, from ewes purchased from the late G. H. Cox, which were pure Spanish blood and came originally from the stud flock of King George III. These ewes were imported by J. B. Montefiore, from whom George Cox bought, and were then mated with a Silesian ram, and a first cross Silesian - Rawden ram. From that time till 1874 the only sires used were from this family. In that year there was a lamb ram dropped by the old 'Broombee pet,' from a selected Wallinga ewe; this ram turned out a wonderful sire, and since then all the best sires have sprung from him. The only out-crosses used since were Cullenbone and Gundagawah, which are absolutely the same blood. Every sheep man knows that the Mudgee blood is about the best foundation upon which to build up a flock, and the opportunity afforded by the present sale should not be overlooked. The auctioneers conducting the sale, which starts at 10.30 a.m., are Winchcombe, Carson and Company, Limited, Sydney, acting conjointly with Stewart and Smith, Mudgee. Catalogues can be had on application to the Sydney agents. Some of these pure merino stud rams, are to be seen this week at Messrs. Weaver and Perry's stores, N.Z.L. and M.A.C., Ltd., Pyrmont12
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6 July 1910
25 July 1910
Dispersal
WALLINGA STUD.
Winchcombe Carson, Limited, in conjunction with Messrs. Stewart & Smith, of Mudgee, will offer the well-known Wallinga stud of merino sheep for sale on the Mudgee Showground on August 17. The stud is one of the best known in the Commonwealth, comprising 412 breeding ewes, 126 2 and 4 tooth ewes, 128 hogget rams, 102 hogget ewes, and 16 special stud rams. As the animals will be sold in lots to suit purchasers, an excellent opportunity will be afforded breeders to acquire some of the choicest merino strain in the mother State14
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1913
8 December 1913
Experimental Plots,
Some Interesting Results.
WALLINGA.
The wheat experiment plots conducted by the Department of Agriculture on Mr. Jas. Loneragan's Estate were harvested on Tuesday last under the supervision of Mr. J. W. Shaw, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. These plots were sown on the 19th and 21st of April, the different varieties at an average rate of 45lbs of seed per acre, As the amount of seed sown appears to be a much-discussed question, it was decided to conduct a seed experiment. Four plots of Federation were sown at the rate of 25, 35, 45 and 65 lbs. per. acre respectively. All the plots, with one exception, were manured with 561bs. of superphosphate per acre. The yields were as follow:-
Cleveland, 31bus. 10lbs.
Federation (sown at rate of 25lbs. per acre), 22bus. 15lbs.
Federation (sown at the rate of 35lbs. per acre). 24bus 22lbs.
Federation (sown at the rate of 45lbs. per acre) 31bus 52lbs.
Federation (sown at the rate of 65lbs. per acre) 29bus. 25lbs.
Bunyip,18bus. 30lbs.
Warren, 21bus. 24lbs.
Bayah, 18 bus. 15lbs.
Florence (manured), 18bus, 32lbs.
Florence (unmanured), 13bus. 24lbs.
The season appears to have suited the later maturing wheats, like Cleveland, Rymer, etc., and the dry spell was experienced just at a time when the early maturing varieties, like Bunyip and Florence, most needed rain. It will be noticed that the difference between the plot of Florence manured as compared with the plot of the same variety unmanured is over 5 bushels per acre. The highest result in the adscling experiment was obtained from the plot of Federation sown at 45lbs per acre.
The results have demonstrated the value of fallowing, the value of manure, and have gives a fair idea of the varieties likely to suit the Mudgee district. The same three varieties, viz., Rymer, Cleveland, and Federation gave the highest yields on the plots conducted by the department on Mr. Stacy's farm at Gulgong15
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1914
17 December 1914
1915
11 January 1915
Wallinga Crops.
Interesting Figures and Facts. (To the Editor)
Sir - I send you herewith returns in wheat and hay from Wallinga Farm for the year ending 1914. I should be very pleased to see returns sent in to you from other farmers in the district, as I contend that the publication of returns in this form will assist many farmers who are on the land in this district in the selection of their wheats, the time to sow, method of plowing and cultivation and other useful information, which, if in the possession of any of my farmer friends, may enable them to considerably increase their yield per acre. This they will readily see will mean more money per year to their income, which of course, is very desirable, both from an individual and district point of view. I should like to see a largely increased area put in this year in wheat. There are thousands of acres in the Mudgee district that could be profitably cultivated, and as the price for wheat at any rate is likely to be high this year, a return, if scientific methods are employed, must be a good one to the farmer. During the two or three holidays at New Year time I visited Bathurst, Molong, Wellington, Spicer's Creek and Goolma, and I saw no land in any of these places superior for wheat production to what we have in the Mudgee district. The land round Wellington for miles is certainly very rich surface soil and I should judge there is a considerable depth of it to the clay bottom, which is not so near the surface as in the case of the Mudgee country. In favorable seasons they would no doubt beat us in yield, but there is this fact to consider that, dry or wet, if scientific methods are employed in Mudgee district, wheat crops are certain. Any district where the surface soil is deep, crops will not stand the stress of dry weather. There is no better example of this, this year, than all over the Riverina. While our district, in my opinion, is superior to any of those that I have visited. I much regret to say that the townships are in every way much ahead of Mudgee. The streets are asphalted, well and cleanly kept, the gutters cemented, trees planted through the streets, and the public parks are in every way creditable; in the case of Bathurst, Orange and Wellington, although not so extensive, are quite equal to anything seen in the metropolis. I do not see that it would be impossible to accomplish something of the kind in Mudgee. Visitors to our town, no doubt, note our conditions, and carry away with them impressions which, in comparison to what they see in other towns would not I feel sure, prove a good advertisement for us.
Yours faithfully, EDWARD LONERAGAN17
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11 January 1915
1916
27 March 1916
WALLINGA FARM.
WHEAT AND HAY YIELDS. MUDGEE DISTRICT'S POSSIBILITIES.
Mr. Edward Loneragan writes: - I send you herewith, full particulars of the yields of wheat and hay from Wallinga Farm during the harvest 1915-16. I have given the names of the different paddocks, variety of wheat sown, the area, and other particulars as to ploughing, seeding, &c. These figures have been checked very carefully, and I can vouch for their accuracy.
I need hardly say again that I am keenly interested in wheat culture in this district, because I recognise that if scientific methods of cultivation be employed a good return is certain every year, whether wet or dry. Looking back at the rain records for 50 years in the Mudgee district it would appear that wheat could be successfully grown every year during the whole of this period with the exception of 1902, when possibly there would be only a half crop. During the whole of that period rain came in the critical months - in September or October. Some years it missed in September, but came in October; other years October was dry, but we got it in September. Where scientific cultivation is employed, manure used, early sowing carried out, and moisture conserved, the wheat crop should be certain every year in the future - that is, of course, assuming that the future rainfalls will be similar to those of the past, looking back 50 years.
There is still a large quantity of land in the Mudgee district not being used to its best advantage. What is close to rail should certainly be cropped, and if scientific methods be employed a certain result will be achieved.
I should be very pleased to see other farmers in the district publish their returns, giving full particulars as to the methods employed by them. Practical and useful information, such as only a farmer can supply, if diffused will mean for the benefit of the whole district, and this is what every farmer should aim at, as by benefiting the district at large he benefits himself individually. Following are the wheat and hay yields19
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1919
3 January 1919
Fire at Wallinga
A fire occurred last night at Mr. C. Pitt's residence, Wallinga. Mr. Pitt lives on the Wallinga Estate, and is employed by Jas. Loneragan (Mudgee.) Co. It is believed that the whole of the house and contents were completely destroyed. The building and furniture were insured21
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1953
19 June 1953
CLEARING SALE
AT WALLINGA
A clearing sale will be held at Wallinga, Mudgee, next Saturday, June 27, by George and Tex Priddle, in conjunction with Goldsbrough, Mort and Co. Ltd22
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