268 JOURKAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



lose a season. This hurry leads to doing- things in the wrong- order, 

 and may involve the loss of much time and money. Preparation of 

 the planting- plan includes a detailed examination of every part of 

 the area ; a rough survey and construction of a map on which should 

 be shown a complete system of compartments, roads, nurseries, 

 buildings, etc., for tlie most convenient and econo)nic future working 

 of thff scheme; a comprehensive scheme for protection against fire 

 or cold Avinds; allocation of species to each compartment according 

 to soil, aspect, and elevation; regulation of espacements ; directions 

 as to the order in which planting should proceed, and numerous other 

 details. Close attention to such details in proper sequence does 

 more to lessen costs than is usually realized. 



3. Fencing. 



This cost has to be calculated according to ruling rates at time 

 of erection. Cost per acre is smaller for compact areas of regular 

 shape than scattered, irregular, or long and narrow strips. 



4. Preparation of Ground. 



New ground should be broken in late summer before it dries out, 

 and fallowed through winter. Before planting the following summer 

 the ground muSt be cross-ploughed and brought to a tilth as for 

 ordinary field crops. The cost per acre will depend on local conditions 

 of labour, stock, and implements used, or on the ruling contract rates. 

 Weedy old lands must be brought to as clean a condition as possible 

 befor-L planting, especially if there is quick grass. This is done most 

 economically by cropping with teff grass. 



5. Transplants. 



The cost of transplants depends on the number requij-ed per acre 

 as regulated by the espacement (6 feet x 6 feet = 1210; 5 feet x 5 

 feet = 1742 ; 4 feet x 4 feet = 2722) and the number of i-eplace- 

 ments that may be necessary. In a large enough venture to warrant 

 the employment of a nurseryman, it is cheaper to raise the trans- 

 plants on the spot and save transport. The present Government 

 tariff for transplants is £?) per 1000, exclusive of railage. 



0. Plan ting. 



A gang of twentj- men under a good overseer should, if properly 

 organized, plant from 10,000 to 20,000 trees a day on easy ground, 

 depending on their skill and experience. The number of reliable 

 planting days during a season, taking a genei'al average for the high 

 veld, is probably not more than twenty. The necessity for thorough 

 organization to make the most of these is therefore apparent. 



The cost per acre will vary according to the necessary espace- 

 ment, local labour conditions, and the efficiency of the organization. 



7. Cultiration. 



Cost of cultivation after plaiiting is mainly affected by the 

 surface condition of the soil and the rapidity with which trees close 

 up and kill the grass and weeds. This cost may vary from a few 

 shillings per acre in clean virgin soil to several pounds in weedy old 

 Ian Is, especially if the stand is understocked on account of too wide 

 plaating- or failures. In the latter event weeds may get so out of 



