414 



Journal of Agriculture. Victoria. [10 July, 1916. 



I consider tliat the competitors named should be avt^arded the prizes 

 offered by the Government, and that in each case the plantation is 

 worthy of the prize recommended." 



This report has been adopted by the Committee, and the prizes 

 awarded accordingly. 



Joseph Harris. 



Jno. Callander. 

 (Signed) D. M. Dow. 



J. M. Eeed, 



H. Mackay. 



J. Cronin. 

 Mr. Cronin further reports : — 



^' The plantations inspected were situated in widely different parts 

 of the State, including Coleraine, Skipton, Horsham, Avon Plains, 

 Swan Hill, Shepparton, Cooma, Welshpool, Traralgon, Szc, and, as 

 might be expected, most of them were situated at some distance from 

 the towns. The soils and climatic conditions were also widely different 

 in character. In forming their plantations, the o^mers had generally 

 accepted the lessons of earlier plantings, and had used the ' Sugar Gum ' 

 and ' Monterey Pine ' very liberally for the purpose. Outside of these, 

 the range on the whole was fairly wide, a few trees of several genera 

 and species being selected, in some cases as an experiment, in others to 

 afford some variety and ornamental effect. The most conspicuous 

 failure was the 'Monterey Cypress' (Cupressus macrocarpa) and its 

 varieties, a result probably largely due to drought, but in more than 

 one case traceable to the trees having been planted in holes dug into 

 the subsoil. In every case where this Avas done the trees of all kinds 

 were comparative failures, and a similar result followed planting in low. 

 undrained situations. The best trees were always found in high and 

 well-drained places, where the initial cultivation was shallow but 

 thorough. In most places these trees are now quite safe, except in case 

 of fire. The plantations visited were all fenced, and in most places the 

 young trees had been attended to in the matters of training, cultivation, 

 &c. In only one case was evidence given of the use of manure. Some 

 trees of Eucalyptus calophylla were so large that I expressed doubt as 

 to their age. The owner proved that the trees were planted in 1912, but 

 stated that he had manured them, giving each a handful of gypsum at 

 planting. 



