29 



out the weeds you will find the surface nice and moist. Quite right, 

 it is just as stated, but the presence of the growing weeds acts as a 

 mulch for tJie immediate surface, but at the same time if you test 

 the amount of moisture contained in a square foot of soil at, 

 say 12 inches below the surface after a month's absence of rain 

 the most sceptical will be satisfied. fe^^l'--i2AOj 



The evaporation going on every day through the leaves of a 

 ten year old fruit tree is something enormous, showing how 

 foolish it is to state that trees will grow without water unless it 

 has been proved by the orchardist having actually done it by 

 employing the system of thorough cultivation in the dry weather, 

 or by recognising the presence of conditions such as are described 

 herein under the head of " Orchard Irrigation." 



In the parts of Africa where a winter rainfall is received, we 

 consider that a ploughing when there is an opportunity during 

 the rain, and another cross ploughing towards the latter end of 

 the rainy season is enough, this to be followed by the necessary 

 harrowing and bi-fortnightly cultivation up to the end of 

 December ; we do not consider continued cultivation necessary 

 after this date unless in the case of late fruit. In the parts of the 

 country where a summer fall is received, we would say reverse 

 the order of things. You cannot of course, as any practical farmer 

 knows, get on your land a plough or work it in any way when it 

 is in a wet condition, nothing will sooner tend to make it infertile, 

 but when you can get on to it get the weeds under, and after the 

 ruins are over keep the cultivator going, as it is quite necessary for 

 growers who have summer rain to retain enough moisture in the 

 soil to give the tree the necessary start the following spring, and 

 hold it healthy until the advent of the early summer rain. 



ORCHARD IMPROVEMENT. 

 (By LEONARD COATES, of California.) 



" The soil in which most trees have been planted is good, and 

 often very rich, and to this, with the sunny climate, may be 

 attributed the fact that many orchards look as well as they do," 

 rather than to any great care or skill on the part of the orchardist. 

 So observes Leonard Coates in the " San Jose Mercury," and he 

 continues : Given a stronger tree and a healthier root, the bud 

 taken from the most perfect specimen, and the result would have 

 been comparatively better. 



Continuing this same idea we are brought to a study of the 

 influence of stock on scion, or scion on stock. That there is an 

 influence, and a marked one, is conceded by all authorities. 



