640 Jdnnidl of Agriculture. [10 Oct., 1910. 



To give an idea of tlie work of the boys some of their essays are sub- 

 mitted. One on Green Manuring has already appeared. That they are 

 crude will be readily admitted. But when one considers the raw material 

 we have to work on, and the disadvantage so many of the boys have had 

 to contend with, these will perhaps appear in a newer and more favourable 

 light. They are the unassisted productions of the lads themselves from 

 notes of the addresses. Mr. G. G. Nevill kindly prints one from time to 

 time in TJic Miner. The successful essayist is given a copy of the issue 

 cc.ntaining his first literary effort, and is proud to post it to' some relative 

 or friend who is equally proud to receive it. From what has been written 

 it will be .seen that " Eye gate " is the chief thoroughfare used for supply- 

 ing our boys v/ith u.seful agricultural and viticultural knowledge, and their 

 quick fingers readily adapt them.selves and become skilful in the many 

 practical operations taught. Handicapped as we are in so many ways it 

 IS very gratifying to know that so many turn out well. A practical agricul- 

 turist who has had considerable experience with the boys trained here says 

 it is really remarkable how well they turn out. 



DRAINAGE. 



.4. Bower, age ly. 



Drainage, as we know, is the foundation of all land improvement. 

 Where the land has a good slope it is naturally drained, but in low-lying 

 land drainage must take place before the land can give good returns. 



By draining we gain many advantages. We remove any standing and 

 slagnant water from the surface. After this has been done air takes the 

 place of water, sweetening and improving the soil very much. We also 

 remove the excess of water from the subsoil, whic-h gives better drainage 

 to the land. 



Some plants live in the water, but they are of no use to the farm. 

 ■Crops, for instance, cannot live in ever saturated soil, as the fibrous hair- 

 like roots become too weak, and cannot provide the plant with the nourish- 

 ing food that it requires. 



Drainage deepens the available soil, giving the roots a wider range 

 to secure plant food, and they go deeper and so do not feel the drought. 

 By draining we are able to work our ground more easily and earlier. The 

 heavy, sticky patches become easier cultivated every season, and the mois- 

 ture is more equally distributed in the soil by drainage. By drainage and 

 good cultivation the soil becomes several degrees warmer than it would be 

 il not drained. Warmth is very necessary to growth, and is mostly re- 

 quired at the beginning of spring to make growth, and also to cause the 

 seed to germinate. 



The fertility of the soil is increased by the weather turning the dor- 

 Tuant parts into active, which is ready plant food. Draining helps this, 

 and allows the rain to carry the particles of plant food to the roots, and 

 helps the manure to increase the crop. By drainage, fungus diseases such 

 '.s root rot of the vine, are prevented, and better crops and larger yields 

 are obtained. 



ROl ATION OF CROPS. 



E. Walker, age 75. 



Rotation is a word which is derived from a Latin word, Rota, meaning 



a wheel. A rotation of crops is a series of different crops sown in the 



same ground. If crops are sown in the same ground year after year, they 



will in time render the ground unprofitable, in spite of the manure that is 



