700 



Journal of Agriculture . 



lo Nov., 1910. 



of water. The grower has to use his judgment as to when the pLmts 

 require watering and in this matter it is largely responsible for the success 

 or failure of the crop. 



The methods of culture at Echuca differ considerably from those 

 adopted at Bendigo. However, growers place as much stress on the 

 importance of the two cardinal requirements of the plants ; judicious 

 watering and effective draining. The young plants are started in the 

 latter part of June for early crops, or in July. Planting out takes place 

 in the latter part of August or September ; this is somewhat earlier than 

 at Bendigo, but provision is made for sheltering the plants from frosts 

 and cold winds at Echuca, which is not done at the former centre. 

 The shelter is provided by planting the young plants a little below 

 the surface ; the earth that is taken out from the shallow hole is 

 thrown up on the windward side, and a redgum board is then placed in 

 an oblique position over the plant. The board is so placed that it will 

 admit as much sunlight as possible throughout the day, prevent frosts 



PLOT SYSTEM, ON RAISED BEDS, WITH GUTTERS lOR I KRIC.AI ION, ECHUCA. 



from affecting the plants at night and give as much shelter from_ prevail- 

 ing winds as possible. The boards used are about 2 ft. 6 in. in length 

 and 9 in. in width. They last for a number of years. 



The flat system of culture adopted at Echuca lends itself to early 

 planting and the adoption of some shelter against frosts. _ At Bendigo, 

 under the stake system, sheltering is not considered practical owing to 

 the great number of plants per acre. Under the flat system the plants are 

 encouraged to develop a number of branches and spread out over the 

 ground. Thinning out is adopted, however, but is intended to assist more 

 in the ripening and setting of the fruit. 



At Echuca the gardens are cut into small sections for convenience in 

 irrigating. In these sections narrow beds are cut out j each bed holds one 

 row of plants and the plants are put in about 2 to 3 feet apart in_ the 

 rows. An early maturing companion crop, such as lettuce, is sometimes 

 grown on the same beds. 



A liberal system of manuring is generally adopted^ by all growers. 

 Heavy dressings of stable manure are given in conjunction with artificial 

 manures to the land in autumn, being well incorporated with the soil ; if 

 the land is fallow over the winter, it is kept in good order, being turned 

 over frequently. In many cases, as soon as the tomato crop is done, the 



