Journal of Aiiriculturc, Victoria. [lo Mar., 191 1. 



and more thorough pulverisation of the soil than is obtained with our 

 more modern ploughs. 



H. Mare.s sums up the defects and advantages of the araire as fol- 

 lows : — 



It has the drawback of doing but little work. . . . It is scarcely possible 



to jjlough, in one direction, more than 7,7, ares (.8 acre) per dav It does 



not turn the soil over but only loosens it . . . finally, the sole drags along the 

 ground, compressing it, if it be wet. 



Its advantages are the following: — It is very cheap {22 francs= iqs. 7d.) ; 

 it serves for all operations which loosen the soil, in the Midi, since there is no 

 jdoughing implement more handy or more simple, when one has to deal with dry 

 soils and work them to a depth of 0.20 metres (8 inches). ... It becames broken 

 or out of order less than any other . . . and none resists better in stony soils. 

 It can be repaired with the greatest ease. 



For ploughing vineyards in shallow, uneven rocky soils . . . I do not know- 

 any implement capable of replacing it. To resume, it is still generally preferred 

 and adopted ; it works in all soils, good or bad, deep and even, rocky and uneven ; 

 it serves for all cultural work. It is cheap, easily kept in order and generally 

 well adapted to the climate and soil in the Midi. 



Though this was written over 20 years ago, it is in the main true at 

 the present day and the araire, either in its primitive wooden form, or 

 some moiliti' " 1 '" > mII verv extensively used; in fact, exclusively 



so if the land be stony, as it very 

 often is. The two photographs 

 show a favourite modern form, 

 constructed entirely of iron. The 

 svstem of harnessing by means of 

 a shaft is here shown. In this 

 case the shafts are iron ; wooden 

 ones are aho u.sed. The extra 

 long steel share is found most con- 

 venient in very stony soil. A weed 

 cutting attachment, consisting of 

 two skimmers or wings known as 

 an hirondelU (literally, swallow)^ 

 can be bolted on when required, 

 but the araire is more often worked 

 without it as shown in the photo- 

 graph. The price of this imple- 

 ment in Montpellier is 25 fr. (^i). 

 The shafts cost an extra 20 fr. 

 (i6s.). This system of harnessing 

 is said to render the working of 

 ^ the plough more steady. The 

 shafts do not damage the vines. 

 Many modern types of plough have recently been introduced, most of 

 which are provided with mouldboards. They are almost exclusively 

 single furrow and work to a depth of 8 inches. As regards scarifiers, 

 the number of new types is considerable. American manufacturers have 

 agencies in most French centres, or else make arrangements for their 

 models to be manufactured in FrcAich workshops. The Planet Junior 

 cultivator, for example, exactlv the same as the one we are familiar with 

 in Victoria, is manufactured by the firm of Filter and Co. of Mont- 

 pellier, and sold under the name of " Filter-Planet." As regards these 

 implements, most of which are similar to types we know, little need here 

 be said. 



FRONT VIEW OF IRON ARAIRE. 



