486 Journal of Agriculiurc .Vicloria. [10 July, 191 1. 



selected and cut, leaving a heel at the apex end of the cuttings, i.e., a 

 small portion of the older wood. 



Cuttings should be about 12 ins. in length and cut with a sharp knife- 

 just below an apex bud. Plant down half their length in the soil and upon 

 a firm bottom. By placing a little sharp sand at the bottom of the cut 

 before planting, better results will be obtained. But it should be under- 

 stood that figs do not strike readily from cuttings planted out in the open, 

 but successfully in heat. 



As figs sucker and root freely from layers the best method to propagate 

 is by stooling or layering them similarly to the Northern Spy apple. (See 

 page 367). Sharp sand or very sandy soil should be used for moulding 

 purposes. 



When grafting, select well matured wood for scions. The better 

 varieties may be grafted upon suckers from the commoner kinds (bench or 

 field grafted). Root grafting, the same as apple stocks, may be practised 

 vvith fairly good results. Select clean healthy roots. Graft in August and 

 early September. 



The fig thrives best in a well drained deep loose soil, and should be 

 well supplied with water during the dry season. 



{To be coutiiiucd .) 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pescoit, Principal, ScJiool of H orticnltnrc , Bnrnlev. 



The Orchard. 



Drainage. 



The continuous rains of the early winter ha^'e, in many cases, shown the- 

 necessity for draining orchards. Where under-soil drains do not exist, the 

 trees are bound to suffer ; if the damage is not immediately apparent, it 

 will be later found that in some way loss will accrue. Either the tree will 

 be weakened by loss of roots through rotting ; or it will be devitalized so- 

 that it will not carry a satisfactory crop of fruit. Too often, surface 

 drainage is relied on to remove the so-called surplus water. There should 

 be no surplus water for surface drains. The water is only surplus or in 

 excess when it is in the soil, and not before it enters the soil. Two cir- 

 cumstances, and two only, permit of surface drainage : first, when it is 

 necessary to carry away excessive storm-water ; and, second, when it is 

 practically impossible to find an outlet for the under-dtains, owing to the 

 low- lying situation of the area. 



The term "surface drainage" does hot apply to open drains which, 

 owing to their depth, act also as soil drains ; neither does it apply to- 

 graded surfaces which allow a more equitable distribution of the water. 

 Surface drainage is usually applied to a system, whereby a considerable 

 quantity of water is removed by gravitation before it enters the soil, Such 

 a system cannot be too roundly condemned. As much water as can possibly" 

 be obtained by natural means should be induced to enter orchard soils ; 

 and then whatever is in excess will be carried away by under drainage,, 

 provided that drainage, either natural or artificial, oe in existence. 



