JNov. 2, 1908, 



J 



Af/ricultural Gazette of N.SJF. 933 



(clearing) was done by day labour, and the 

 roots taken out to a depth of 20 inches. The 

 ground was particular!}' hard at this time, as 

 no rain had fallen for months, and conse- 

 quently the expense of clearing the soil was 

 considerably more than it would have been 

 ha'l the soil been moist. 



The breaking of the soil was dune by a 

 large scarifier, which was drawn by two large 

 traction engine.*, standing about 500 feet apart. 

 A cable fi'om each of these was fastened to the 

 scarifier, and the latter was drawn aci-oss the 

 space alternately by the engines, each en 

 moving up after each round made by 

 scarifier. This machine did not turn up the 

 soil, but broke it up to a depth of f ruui 

 18 to 20 inches, and wotild liave gone 

 deeper had it not been that the ground 

 was so hard and dry. 



That portion planted to vines and 

 trees was worked both ways with the 

 machine, but the lucerne, wheat, oats 

 and barley ground was only worked 

 •once. The traction engines and 

 scarifier were kindly lent to the Department by 8ir Samuel McCaughey, and 

 without these we would have had a very difficult task in breaking up the 

 soil in time for planting this season. 



After the land was all broken uj), the work of l:)reaking the lumps and filling 

 in old channels and preparing the land for the several crops, trees and vines, 

 was no small contract, and it was not until July that we finished sowing the 

 hay crops, which comprise the following : — 



4 acres malting barley 13 acres John Brown wheat 



3 „ skinless barley 1 „ Plover wheat 



10 „ Bobs wdieat 



The first tree planted under this great iriigation 

 scheme. 



7 



Algerian oats 



•% ..-wT *% 





Home-made crowder at work making the ch.'.nnels ; a valuable implement. 



