344 



Jour7ial of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo May, 191 i. 



weeds into the middle of the rows, and weed out any between the stocks. 

 The middle of the rows should now be dug through, deep enough to cover 

 the turned in weeds. If, from the time of planting, the soil is kept well 

 stirred to the depth of 3 or 4 inches and the hoe kept going along the 

 rows, there wnll be no necessity for spring digging. 



The cost of production can be greatly minimised and the work accele- 

 rated by the use of horse labour. A man with a quiet horse and a Planet 

 Junior, or similar cultivator, with a 26-inch swingletree. will cover some 

 acres of nursery stock in a day. This will keep down the weeds, bring 

 the soil to a fine state of tilth, conser^•e moisture and better the conditions 

 of the soil. The horse should be muzzled with a piece of wire, or other 

 netting, if partial to the foliage of young trees. 



A very poor method of cultivating among nursery stock, and prac- 

 tised at times, is chipping, i.e.. in the late spring, when the ground has 



I I ni\GS 



set too hard for digging (a condition brought about through careless man- 

 agement) the weeds are chopped up and forked off between the rows. 

 After the first fall of rain, the scarifier is brought into use, scratching the 

 surface of the soil to the depth of an inch or two. Stiff soils, especially, 

 if treated in such a manner become impervious, compact, and impoverished. 

 The careless and slovenly cultivator is rarely blessed with success. 



As some readers may be somewhat pessimistic regarding hor.se labour 

 amongst nursery stock, the writer's advice is to give it an honest trial. 

 Unless the horse is quiet and trustworthy, it will be necessary to have it 

 led through the rows of young trees. With loose soils which easily wash, 

 and w^here the position is an abrupt one, possibly horse labour w^ould not 

 be an advantage. 



From the time of planting out the stocks permanently for working 

 upon, it is generally three to five years before the land is cleared of young 

 trees and readv for ploughing again. Before replanting such land, it 

 should be well worked and treated the same as virgin soil and allowed to 

 remain fallow during the summer months. 



