478 



JotiriKil of A</riciilture, Victoria. 



10 Aug., 1916. 



tilth. The slicker consists of three pieces of Oregon 12 inches x 2 inches 

 and 12 feet long, connected by two pieces of 6 inch x 6 inch hardwood, 

 and drawn by four horses. The oregon is shod with 2 inch x ^ inch 

 steel on the front faces. Two pieces are inclined at an angle of 60 degrees 

 to the horizontal, while the third piece is vertical, and acts as a fulcrum. 

 The operator, by moving forwards or backwards while the implement is 

 moving, can gradually "collect" or "pay out" the soil at will, and 

 so remove inequalities of the surface. 



Another design of a buck-scraper is shown in Plate 6, and recom- 

 mended by Mr. Elwood Mead, when Chairman of the State Rivers and 

 Water Supply Commission. The grading of land for lucerne culture 

 in the Yakima Valley, in Washington, United States of America, is 

 usually done by this implement. 



L-J 



Plate 7. — The Orchard Fence. 



Grading operations should be completed in June, so as to permit of 

 the land being ploughed and harrowed before the young trees are 

 planted. As early planting is desirable, this work should be done not 

 later than the end of July, if possible. 



Fencing the Orchard. 



Rabbits and hares do considerable damage to young trees if per- 

 mitted to enter the orchard, consequently a substantial rabbit-proof 

 fence should be erected before the trees are planted. 



Plate 7 shows the kind of fence recommended. The posts are 6 inches 

 x 6 inches and 4 ft. 6 in. high, with 2 feet in the ground, and 8 feet 

 apart. 



Two No. 8 gauge ordinary fencing wires are put in at (a) and (b). 

 These pass through A-in. holes in the post. The one marked (a) may 

 be threaded through the 1-^-in. mesh wire netting, or the netting may be 



