204 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Mar. 2, 1920.. 



the trees, and let it remain in a rough state; and if the subsoil is of a clayey, 

 retentive nature, or if there is a hard-pan that will cause water to stagnate 

 round the roots and prevent the roots from going down into the soil, then it 

 is advisable to subsoil to as great a depth as the available power will enable 

 and the roots in the soil will allow. Subsoiling will tend greatly to sweeten 

 and aerate tlie land, and — what is of equal importance — will increase the 

 natural capacity of the soil for retaining moisture during a dry time. 



Do not hurry your land ; y plantirg iKe trees before it is in a fit state to 

 receive them — rather lose a season. You cannot get the land into too good 

 order for apricots, for, if thoroughly sweetened and friable and if there is no 

 impervious subsoil to retain stagnant water, the trees will be healthy and free 

 from "'gum," which is often a cause of serious loss to apricot growers. 

 There; is thus every reason why care should be taken to prepare the land 

 properly if the apricot orcliard is to be a financial success. 



Selection of Trees and Planting, 

 In selecting trees, care sl)Ould be taken to see that they are well grown 

 and fiee from all disease ; they should not be more than one year old. The 

 hole for planting should have a depth of about 12 inches and a diameter of 

 about 18 inches. In removing the soil care should be taken to put the 

 surface soil on one side of the hole and the subsoil on the other ; a small 

 quantity of subsoil is then replaced so that it forms a pyramid in the- 

 centie of the hole. The roots of the young tree are next shortened back 

 to within about 3 iriches of the stock and all damaged roots removed, the 

 tree being placed on the top of the pyramid and its loots spread evenly in 

 all directions. All vigorous roots should be planted in the direction of the 

 prevailing winds ; this acts as an anchoi- to the tree. The remainder of the- 

 subsoil is finally filled in compactly and pi^essed down with the feet, the 

 filling being continued with the surface soil until all the eai'th has been 

 i-eplaced. Tiie trees should always be planted very firmly so as to exclude 

 all ail' and the tops cut back to a height of about 18 inches from the ground. 



Cultivation. 

 Thorough cultivation is the only means by which apricot growing can be 

 )nade a financial success in the districts best suited for the growth of th > 

 choice canning and drying varieties. Tlie quality and size of the fruit and 

 the amount of the crop depend more on it tlian on anything else— in brief, 

 it is the one great essential, as it is only by means of it that we can conserve 

 moisture in the soil during dry weather-- a cons -^ivation on which the quality 

 and quantity of the crop may depend. You cannot over-cultivate in a dry time,, 

 as the finer you get the soil the more perfect mulch it makes, and the longer 

 it will retain moisture. Do not turn the soil ; stir it, and stir it deeply. 

 If you have a small orchard use a Planet ,lr. with narrow teeth not more than. 

 12 inches wide, and let them well down; but if you have a larger orchard 

 with a loamy soil, then use a spring-tooth cultivator; for heavy soils use a 

 fixed tine cultivator. After every rain cultivate the orchard as soon as you 



