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



keep them exposed to the light, and only shade when required. The seed 

 will cost from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per ounce. 



Soivifig in Belts. — Wher© this can be done it is the cheapest and best. 

 In rangy country, where there are steep slopes tliickly dotted with tree 

 stumps and outcrops of rock, and the surface is a tangle of roots, nursery 

 growth must be planted. Where the soil is free from obstacles of this 

 kind, seed planting can be proceeded with. The nature of the surface 

 and subsoil should be understood, as on this will depend the depth of 

 the ploughing. A good shallow surface must not be buried or mixed 

 out of proportion with a stiff clay subsoil, that will run together in wet 

 weather, and bake into a hard crust in summer. If the subsoil is free, 

 open, and porous, plough deeply, and work it up to a fine tilth. 



Mix the gum seed with dry sandy loam, well sifted, and sow by hand 

 broadcast out of a dish, seed bag, or box. Then pass a light Jaarrow over 

 it. This done, the success of the crop will depend on the season. For 

 this work May, August, and September months are the best. On the 

 climate and district will depend the month selected for the work. As tbe 

 trees advance in growth thin out, and allow them growing space. A 

 mixed sowing should not be done unless the cultivator understands the 

 nature and habiti of the trees he is about to mix. 



Fence off with a temporary dropper fence. The seed, cultivation, and 

 fence will cost from £2 5s. to £3 5s. per acre, that is, when the planting 

 is done along a permanent boundary fence. 



Preparing the Ground and Planting. 



Take out square holes 12 x 12 or 24 x 2'4 in. wide, and the same 

 in depth ; place the surface soil on one side of the hole, and the subsoil 

 on the other. For shelter planting on exposed sites the holes should be 

 8 ft. apart; thin out as the trees grow. When the soil is pulverized, 

 and not too wet or too dry, and the holes free of water, fill in by placing 

 the soil as it was taken out. Should the subsoil be poor, mix a little 

 surface soil with it. For planting select dull weather. Dry winds are 

 injurious to plants out of the ground; avoid removing them. For plant- 

 ing it is better that two persons should be employed at the work. When 

 root space is made in the centre of the filled-in hole by one man, the 

 other can place the tree in its position from beneath a cover, and steady 

 it while the fine earth is being filled in and pressed gently round. 



Pines, cypresses, &c., should be planted out in June or July, and not 

 later than August In warm districts, where frosts are not severe, gums 

 (if properly hardened off) can also be planted. They will then be well 

 established before the hot weather sets in. In cool districts, where 

 frosts are severe, gums should not be set out until all danger is past. In 

 lifting the gums for transplanting, great care must be taken not to injure 

 or expose the roots. Allow as much earth as possible to remain on the 

 roots; on gums every root is required. If reduced when transplanted 

 into a new soil and position, the remaining roots will be unable to supply 

 the siem and foliage with sufficient moisture. Hence, so many deaths, 

 through the moisture passing away from the stem growth faster than 

 the roots can supply the sap waste. Gums should be planted out in their 

 permanent place when young and small, say, from four to twelve months 

 old. 



Great care should be taken to exclude al! stock from the plantations. 

 As rabbits do great injury to many of the seedling trees and plants wire 

 p-^tted fences will be a necessity in most localities. 



