484 Joiiriia! of XgriciiUuri: , Victoria. [10 July, T911. 



ing about 6 in. deep. Cuttings .should 1k' planted early in June. On no 

 account allow them to^ .suffer from the want of water in October, Novem- 

 ber, or December, or any time previous to the hardening of the roots. 



If striking the cuttings in beds for replanting the following winter, 

 make a grip and plant the cuttings thickly — about i inch apart. Dc not 

 over-water to encourage strong rapid growth. The soil should not be en- 

 riched. The aim of the propagator is to secure well rooted stocks with 

 moderately thick stems. 



Thin cuttings from matured wood — up to the size of an ordinary lead 

 pencil — should be selected. The beds for striking cuttings .should be 

 ploughed no deeper than 6 in., the rows being far enough apart to allow 

 the cultivator to pass through. The soil .should, if possible, be light, well 

 drained, and have a warm subsoil. If the bottom of the .soil becomes water- 

 logged and cold the callus or callusing i)arts will decay and the cuttings 

 die out. 



Undoubtedlv, under most conditions, the better method is to rai.se stock 

 in .seed beds, then lift, and transplant. By following this system the stocks 

 can be graded before planting out and uniformity maintained in the rows. 

 The other system of planting out cuttings, etc., directly for working upon 

 is quicker ; but. if an irregular strike takes place, it means the tilling and 

 loss of a portion of the land that could be put to other use. 



The plum thrives best in heavy loams, or light soils having a clav sub- 

 soil, well drained. 



IVIedlar. 



This peculiar fruit is easily propagated by grafting or budding, using 

 ihe quince as a stock. It thrives well in soils where the quince flourishes, 

 but prefers a sheltered position. 



Japanese Persimmon or Date Plum. 



This luscious fruit is propagated chiefly by grafting upon a .small fruit- 

 ing varietv raised from seed. Pips can be saved from anv seeding variety 

 and the stocks used for working upon. 



Pips may be sown in June, July, and August, in beds. The young 

 seedlings should be sheltered from the hot sun in late spring and early 

 summer. Small leafy boughs, selected from some shrub or tree that holds 

 its leaves well when dry, answer this purpo.se. When cutting twigs, leave 

 the stem long enough so as to hold firmly when pres.sed into the soil. Do 

 not let the seedlings suffer from the want of water. 



Seedling stocks can be imported directly from Japan. Tlie stocks can 

 be bench grafted (whip-tongue method) or planted out permanently in 

 deep, loose and well drained soil. When well established, graft low down 

 (ground level) when the sap begins to mo\-e in the stocks. Select scions 

 from well matured past season's growth. Cover the union well when bind- 

 ing and mould up with earth, patting well with the hands to expel and 

 keep out the air. Care should be taken when performing this operation 

 not to knock or displace the scion. A good plan is to bind the union 

 with calico dressed lightly with grafting wax. 



The warm and irrigable districts of the State are more suited than the 

 cool for propagating this fruit. Most of the worked trees sold in Vic- 

 toria are imported from New South Wales. 



The persim.mon, once established, is hardy and does well in most dis- 

 tricts. It likes a deep loose loam or sandy soil well drained, and watei 

 during the summer months. Seed saved from select varieties come fairly 

 true, and produce good fruit. The trees take longer to come into bear- 

 ing than worked ones. 



