230 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 April, 191G. 



conditions to a height of over 120 feet. In addition, the tree grows well 

 under arid conditions, is of a shapely habit, and the wood is strong and 

 excellent for construction work and fuel. 



The Redgiim (E. rosirnta) is a good tree, both for shade and the 

 excellence of its timber. The deep alluvial flats suit it best, where it 

 attains a great size. In hilly country or that of basaltic nature the 

 growth is more restricted, but still produces splendid shade. 



Yellow Box [E . melliodora), is suitable as a shade tree in warm 

 districts. 



The well-known Fitvus insignis of California will thrive anywhere. 

 It may be found doing well on the plains or even on the summit of 

 Mt. Macedon (which is a pine forest). As a perfect shelter tree this 

 variety is unequalled. Others suitable for dense hedges are Cupressus 

 Lamhertiana horizontalis, G. toridosa, C. macrocarpa, and Fittosporum 

 undulatum. 



Preparation of Soil. 



The future success or failure of newly-planted trees depends to a 

 great extent upon the way in which the preparation of soil is done 

 before planting, and also to the amount of attention given to trees 

 afterwards. Especially so is this the case with street trees, because 

 they have, as a rule, to be planted under the most adverse conditions to 

 successful growth and development. 



Where soil is not deep, and, it may be, a hard sole exists, the roots 

 of trees are confined to a very small feeding ground. In addition, the 

 roots cannot penetrate the hard substratum, and the moisture of the 

 lower strata for supporting the growth that languishes for want of it 

 in dry weather cannot pass freely upwards in summer time, nor can 

 an excess as during continuous rains pass freely downwards. Thus the 

 roots of trees may at one period be " standing in water," while at an- 

 other they may be searching in vain for the moisture they imperatively 

 need, and all through the lack of thorough soil preparation at the 

 outset. 



For street planting the digging of holes is not as good as preparing 

 the whole length, which, in addition to giving more room for root 

 ramification, also provides for the draining away of excess water. 



The ideal mode of soil preparation for a line of trees is to prepare 

 a strip about 4 feet wide along the whole length to be planted. This, 

 of course, means much extra cost in labour, but it is money well spent 

 considering trees are planted to last for many generations, and the 

 better the work is done the longer will be the life of trees and the better 

 the development. A convenient way of preparing the strip is first to 

 remove a section of the surface soil and lay it aside, then break up the 

 sub-soil as deeply as possible, but do not remove it, and upon this may 

 be placed a layer of organic material, such as leaves, &c. Proceed by 

 placing the next section of surface soil upon the broken-up sub-soil, &c., 

 and so on until the end of the length is reached. 



For ordinary planting in parks, &c., square holes 4 feet by 4 feet 

 should be prepared in the same way as advised for street planting. 



Gelignite is being used as an agent for stirring up the sub-soil, and 

 the results are being watched with interest. 



