JO May, 191 1 -j 



Propagation of Fruit Trees. 



341 



wash away and the working of the hmd becomes more difficuh. thus in- 

 creasing the cost of production. 



If growing for sale, the nursery should be within reasonable distance 

 of a railway station, so that there will be every facility for speedv 

 despatch of stock to purchasers. Any district, provided it has a good average 

 rainfall and moderate climatic conditions, may be chosen, and will be 

 suitable for the propagation of most of cur fruits in general cultivation. 

 For the propagation of citrus fruits, mulberries, etc., the writer recom- 

 mends the warmer districts of the State and where irrigation is available. 

 Oranges and lemons can, howe^•er, be successfully propagated in the 

 metropolitan district, where soil and position are suitable. 



Soils. 



Although nursery stock may be, and is, rai.sed upon many different 

 kinds of soil, the most suitable and best all round is a good light deep 



5. -APRICOT TREES— SIX MONTHS I kOM lU P. 



loam with plenty of humus and a good nutritive clay .sub.soil. The ad- 

 vantage of .selecting such a .soil is that it is easily worked — an important 

 item in the cost of production. Tf kept in a fine state of tilth, it is more 

 suitable for the raising of .seedlings in the l)eds, and produces trees with 

 well matured growth and fin<- fibrous roots, which can be easilv liftrd 

 without .severe damage. 



\\'ith proper treatment, and the judicious use of chemical manures, 

 such soil will |)roduce good nursery st<xk for an unlimited number of 

 vears. The writer has raised first class stock upon this class of .soil which 

 has been in use for thirty years. An ilhistratiou is given on this page, of 

 apricots, six months from bud, worked upon planted out stocks grow- 

 ing in soil which has bet^i in continuous u.se for that period. With soil 

 like the deep crumbly red, it is nece.ssary. after a few crops of young 

 trees Iiaxt- been taken olT. to break up virgin soil for replanting, i.e.. if 



