Timely Hints for Farmers. 71 



table mould and sharp sand. Scatter the seed evenly over the sur- 

 face and cover about one-eighth inch deep with finely sifted soil. 

 The seed should be watered lightly daily, care being taken that the 

 surface never becomes dry. The young plants should appear in 

 from one to two weeks. After this, be careful to avoid keeping the 

 seed bed too damp, or fungi may attack and destroy the young 

 plants. A good plan is to water only during the warm part of the day, 

 that the soil may become partially dried promptly. If possible, 

 rain water or distilled water should be used for watering the young 

 seedlings, as the salt and alkali of the waters of Arizona are apt 

 to cause corrosion at the surface of the soil. 



When about three inches high the young plants should be 

 transplanted into fresh soil— a mixture of clay loam, well rotted 

 manure and sand. They may be set about two inches apart each 

 way. Eucalypts make a better growth if planted out when six to 

 twelve inches high than if left in the seed boxes until larger. 

 During most seasons April will probably be the best month for 

 setting them in the field. None should be set after the early part 



of May. 



For fuel or timber they may be set six to ten feet apart each 

 way. They grow straighter and make better timber if planted 

 near together in blocks than if scattered over a farm. If cut to 

 the ground when a sufficient size for fuel or posts, they will send 

 up sprouts that may be cut again in a few years. 



A. J. McClatchie, 

 Department of Agriculture and Horticulture. 



IMPROVEMENT OF ARIZONA SOILS. 

 No. 3, November i. 

 For about two years past the study of a large and represent- 

 ative collection of soils from southern Arizona has been in 

 progress with a view to finding out their merits and deficiencies 

 for agricultural purposes. As one result of this study it has been 

 found that in nearly every case the mineral elements of fertility 

 are present in abundant quantity. Iron and lime are plentiful, 

 while potash and phosphoric acid are present usually in more 

 than sufficient amounts. Alkaline salts, though often present on 



