584 Journal of AgricuUvre, Victoria. [15 Oct., 1919. 



plautint^ of proper varieties on scientific lines, is really the laying of the 

 orchard's foundation, and, as with a house, the superstructure cannot be 

 lasting or satisfactory unless the foundation is properly laid. When 

 attention to the matter of soil-preparation is being given, it is well to 

 consider the dual operations of sub-soiling and drainage as supple- 

 mentary to each other. A drainage scheme complete in every detail 

 would be rendered quite ineffective unless any existing hard-pan or im- 

 pervious clay sub-soil wxre broken through. Either of these conditions 

 would be quite sufficient to provide a permanent water-table in itself, 

 though perhaps only a few inches from the surface, whereas if such im- 

 pediments were removed and artificial drainage established the water- 

 table would establish itself at the level of the drains, thus deepening the 

 root-bed for trees perhaps several feet. By referring to the diagram as 

 shown in plate 17a, this will be more clearly seen. Without proper 

 drainage sub-soiling is not lasting in its effects, but with drainage the 

 stirred soil, through the action of water filtration, aeration, and other 

 agencies, remains in a loosened condition. In fact, drainage means 

 permanent sub-soiling. 



SURFACE SOIL 



FeetA 



Plate 17a. 



A. Existing hard-pan. B. Drain laid in area similar to A, but witli hard-pan 

 brolcen ii]i. 0. Water-table lowered by ('rainago. 



The deepening of the root-bed, as explained, means inuch to pear 

 trees, which are naturally of a deep-rooting habit, and it will be readily 

 understood that the more extensive the root ramification the better will 

 be the development of the trees. Thus, within certain limits, the profit- 

 earning capacity of the trees will be considerably augmented, which is 

 tantamount to the area itself being increased; for ten acres of pear trees, 

 growing under ideal drainage conditions, and participating in all the 

 benefits derivable therefrom, would probably yield as much as twenty- 

 acres of trees growing under the unfavourable conditions referred to 

 above. 



Regular Development of Trees. 



So definite is the action of proper soil-drainage upon the regular 

 development of the trees, that the expert eye can detect at a glance along 

 the rows whether the trees are growing in land thoroughly drained or not. 

 In undralned land, where wet patches exist, it will generally be found 

 that the growth and uniform development of trees are materially 



