^ Dec, 1907.] 



Grading and Levelling. 



711 



following prices are quoted, as ha\ing lieen paid for implements to use on 

 the Wvuna farm. 



7 -ft. Steel Buckscraper 

 7-ft. Wooden ,, 



9-f t. Delver 

 Smoother 



^700 

 4100 

 300 

 3 10 o 



In conclusion, too great stress cannot be laid upon the necessity for 

 •careful grading and levelling of paddocks intended to be irrigated. 

 Whether water is to be distributed by simply flooding, by checks or by 

 furrows, loss of time, loss of water, loss of temper and loss of crop will 

 always attend attempts to water uneven ground. The removal of the 

 surface soil from one spot to another will, to some extent, lessen the 

 fertility at one place though increasing it at another; but with careful 



THE DELVER. 



use of water and liberal employment of manures, little if any effect of the 

 levelling operations should be visible in the growth of the irrigated pro- 

 ducts. The operations are not costly and the increase in yields and 

 improvement in quality due to ability to water evenly and thoroughly 

 will in mosL seasons repay the initial outlay. Very good work can be done 

 under favorable conditions for a few shillings per acre, not including, 

 of course, the cost of the distributing channels, checks or laterals. Ten 

 :shillings per acre implies heavy work, though in exceptional cases of river 

 flats of very high quality, much bigger sums have been spent. If land by 

 proper grading can be made, under irrigation, to give returns only equalled 

 under natural conditions by the richest of our river flats, it would seem 

 rank folly not to endeavour to get the best results, the outlay being more 

 than repaid in the increased capital value of the land alone. 



