660 Journal of Agricultare, Victoria. [10 Nov., 1916 



Fig. 2 shows the correct method of planting. When the roots take 

 up this position in relation to the subsoil, a free passage of the water 

 from the root area to the sub-drains, which should be employed in all 

 orchard land of the class mentioned, is provided. 



The evil effects of water lodgment, which causes sourness of the sub- 

 soil in which the lower roots feed, will be more fully dealt with later 

 on, when the necessity for orchard drainage generally, and all the con- 

 ditions which govern same, are being explained. 



When the hole is being excavated, it should be made with sufficient 

 diameter to permit of the roots, if lightly pruned, taking up their 

 natural positions. When the hole is too narrow the roots cannot be 

 properly extended when planting, and a tree started to grow under 

 these conditions cannot thrive as well as when proper planting methods 

 are observed. 



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6' °" 6x/" f/oonn^ 



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Fig. I. 



P/ontinq Board 



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y/v?////. 



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Fig. 2. 



Section of_P/anfin cf Board 



Plate 31. — Planting Board. 



Establishing the Branch System. 



There is no phase of orchard management that requires more scien- 

 tific knowledge on the part of the fruit-grower, in order to obtain the 

 best results from his orchard, than the establishment and control of the 

 branch systems of his trees by pruning on modern and commercial lines. 

 Under the ancient method, the variety grown, whether budded or grafted 

 on to the root-grafted stock, layer, sucker, or raised from a seedling, 

 was encouraged when planted out in the orchard to develop into what 

 was known as a standard tree. This was done by permitting the centre 

 growth to run to the vertical, and by the removal of the side-shoots to 

 a height of about 6 feet from the ground. From this point the centre 

 leader continued its upright growth, and^ in accordance with Nature's 

 method, it threw out side arms which eventually culminated in a conical 



