482 ]our)ial of Agriculture , Victoria. [10 July, ipti. 



case, the structure is filled with earth, with the exception of a hole left 

 III front of the " tue-iron " for the fuel. 



The " tue-iron " is either a cast or wrought iron nozzle inserted through 

 a hole in the forge and projecting about 8 ins. Its use is to convey the 

 blast from the bellows or fan to the fire. The cast-iron ones are solid, 

 whilst those wrought are hollow, and are filled with water to prevent 

 burning away. Cast ones cost 4s. 6d. each, and the wrought-iron ones 

 15s. Although there is a large difference between the prices, I prefer 

 the water " tue-iron," because it will last out many cast ones and be 

 cheaper in the end. 



The anvil is the next important consideration. Purchases are made 

 according to weight, the price being about ^2 per cwt. Nothing lighter 

 than I cwt. should be used — about i| cwt. is a very convenient size. 



In the next article it is proposed to deal at greater length with the 

 details of fitting up the shop ; illustrations showing the general arrangement 

 will also be furnished. 



(To be continue i.) 



PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES. 



{Continued from page 371.) 

 C. F. Cole, Inspector, Vegetation Diseases Acts. 



Stocks (Continued). 

 Cherry. 



There are three varieties of cherries used as stocks for propagating 

 purposes in Victoria, viz., Mazzard Seedling, Perfumed Cherry {Cerasus 

 mahaleh), and the old well-known so-called Kentish Sucker. Undoubtedly 

 the latter variety is the most suitable as a stock for the general cultivation 

 of the many varieties of cherries grown in this State. Besides being hardy 

 and suiting different soils where the cherr} flourishes, trees grow to a nice 

 convenient size, crop earlv and well, and mature good fruit. Many 

 varieties, like Early Purple Guigne, Bigarreau Napoleon, and St. 

 Margaret, are not so liable to gum as when w^orked upon the Mazzard 

 Seedling. 



For producing well grown and attractive young trees in the nursery 

 beds, the Mazzard Seedling is hard to surpass. Therefore, it is a general 

 favourite with propagators. 



The Cerasus mahaleh is very little used as a general stock, as it has 

 a strong tendency to dwarf the variety worked upon it. Trees for the 

 first year or so make good average growth upon this stock, but after this 

 the dwarfing influence is noticeable. 



One bad feature with the Kentish stock is its suckering from the roots. 

 This can be minimized to a large extent during cultivation by taking care 

 not to cut or injure the surface roots. Suckers should not be chopped off 

 shallow beneath the soil ; if so, they will throw up numerous others. The 

 soil should be carefully removed, exposing the roots responsible for sucker- 

 ing. Cut away and pare with a knife at the junction of sucker and root; 

 then replace the soil. 



