48; ' MR. C. L. HARDEXBERG 



Subsequent cultivation is made impossible. 



If the rows stand closer than twelve feet, it becomes 

 very difficult, and in some cases where crooked trees 

 abound, impossible, to move through the lanes with the 

 wagg(m carrying the machine for bagworm destruction. 



These few reasons are sufficient to prove that the 

 method of close planting, followed by the removal of 

 alternate rows is from an entomological standpoint un- 

 sound. 



Following the plantation in its growth, we find that, 

 while some cultivation is being done to keep down grasses 

 and weeds during the first two years, or until the trees 

 have become fair sized and the canopy begins to form, 

 that after this, until the time for stripping arrives the 

 trees are being left to take care of themselves and the 

 grower feels confident that, having given attention to 

 preparing the soil, planting, rowing and some cultivation, 

 he can now take a rest, so far as that block is concerned. 



In the meantime, what is going on in this plantation 

 during this period of four to six years in which the trees 

 are gi'owing to maturity? We have seen that in the 

 beginning, with free access of light and air the conditions 

 more nearly approach those of the thornbush in the veld, 

 with the important 'exception of unlimited food supply. 

 Owing to the preparation of the soil and the seed the 

 insect population of the plantation must come in from 

 the outside and during the first year or two the parasites 

 extract a heavy toll from them. As the trees become 

 larger and tlie ]>laiit:»ti()ii passes from Avhat we may call 

 the crop condition 'nto the forest condition, with its 

 accompanying gloom and moisture, the parasites no long- 

 er follow tlie insects and they have a change to increase 

 rapidly. As a result of this increase and subsequent crowd- 

 ing, aided by the above named atmospheric conditions, 

 diseases appear amongst them and strive to maintain the 

 balance which was lost by the presence of the parasites. 

 At last another coiuliticm is reached where the total of 

 deaths are from various causes practically equals that 

 found in the veld. 



