June 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 443 



causes an opening in the soil. W'licii this takes place, the earth should I e 

 replaced ; for the purpose of steadying the tree it is a common practice to 

 use a wooden stake. The usual method is to obtain stakes about 3 ft. 6 in. 

 or 4 ft. in length. The stake is driven into the ground in a slanting direc- 

 tion in such a manner that it lies at a slight angle across the tree with the 

 head of the stake facing the point from which the most prevailing wind 

 blows. Tlie stake and tree are tied witli raffia or other suitable fibre, or 

 piece of rag, admitting of a little play so that the wooden stick does not 

 Fcnre, i.e., wear into the bark of the tree. 



Drying Coffee in the Straits Settlements. 



In due course judicious }>niniug will be necessary. Suckers may have 

 grown from the bottom, and thev will require to be removed. Dead or use- 

 less growth also should be cut away. The centre of the tree may be opened 

 out by thinning, and cross branches cut out. The long branches, " primaries,' 

 require handling, i.e, removing too numerous ''secondaries," leaving only one 

 or two "secondaries" along ihe branch at each point where several will be 

 met with, care being tiken to leave those wliich are growing in proper direc- 

 tions. Through proper attention in the early stages the work of pruning 

 later will be an easy matter. 



