i86 



sap is moving freely, so as to facilitate tlie removal of the bark. 

 But as often as not the operation is undertaken too early in the 

 season, the result being a dense growth of shoots, whereas if the 

 ringing is left over till spring has set in, a speedier death of the 

 tree is assured, few, if any, shoots are thrown, and most of the 

 shoots will die, when the crown dies. Nourishment for the roots 

 is only collected on warm, bright days, and it is highly probable 

 that the storage of reserve material only takes place towards the 

 end of summer. However, owing to climatic differences, no hard- 

 and-fast rule can be laid down, for in the northern portions of 

 Victoria, August might prove the best month ; south of Dividing 

 Range, September ; whilst at an elevation of 1,000 feet or over, 

 October. 



RING-BARKING COMPARED WITH FELLING AND BURNING-OFF. 



Both these systems have their advocates where small areas are 

 concerned, but where the acreage runs into hundreds, only one 

 is mentioned — ring-barking. Seeing the object in view is to des- 

 troy the timber, so as to allow sunlight into the soil, and so induce 

 a growth of sweet grass, naturally the cheapest and quickest 

 method is the one to be favoured. 



Undoubtedly ring-barking is at first the cheapest, if not in the 

 long run ; but it is the slowest method. No good results can be 

 looked for under twelve to fourteen months, and probably no 

 really decent grazing can be expected under three years, unless a 

 fire has run through the area. By the time the last tree has fallen, 

 and the logs have been cleared up, can it be said to be a cheaper 

 method than direct felling .' Certainly the operation is spread 

 over a number of years, therefore the annual outlay, especially as 

 the necessary work can be done in slack seasons, is often so 

 slight, that it can almost be made to appear an inexpensive system. 

 Hence its adaptability to the requirements of the usual run of 

 graziers. It has many disadvantages ; the incessant accumulation 

 of rubbish by windfalls, and especially after a fire; the greater 

 danger of fire being carried from dead tree to dead tree, with the 

 least chance of stopping or preventing it ; the great harbour it 

 affords to rabbits, attracted by the grass and sheltered by the 

 decaying roots and logs, and the least chance of eradicating 

 them ; and the surprising growth of seedlings that takes place, 

 which, if not destroyed in the earliest stages of growth give end- 

 less trouble, and often lead to the abandoning of the area. On 

 the other hand, in some districts the resulting firewood has a not 

 insignificant market value, so much so, that instances are not want- 

 ing in which, after deducting all charges connected with ringing of 

 trees, and cutting of fuel, a balance has been left of ten shillings 

 and more per acre. The humus caused by ages of decayed vege- 

 tation, and the addition of the leaves and twigs of the rung 

 timber, must add materially to the value of the land, and though 

 at first is often detrimental to a sweet growth of grass, will 

 eventually cause a thick sward to form. 



Felling and Bitniing-ofi. — As a rule, this is only practised on 

 small areas, its initial cost being far too heavy to suit most selec- 



