I in. FARM HOLDING. 1 55 



Ringbarking in the West.* 



Any person interested in land settlement cannot but observe the large areas 

 in blocks of 10,000 to 50,000 acres now being made available for lease in the 

 Western Division of the State. 



Stock returns show that the carrying capacity of western country is very 

 much lower than it was a few years ago, and if success is to be obtained 

 improved methods of management must be adopted. Some settlers are 

 making provision for water by tank sinking, and many are improving by 

 ringbarking. 



The varying results observed in the western districts led the writer to 

 inquire into the causes of the differences. In some cases it is due to 

 letting large contracts at the one time, the work extending over the greater 

 portion of the year. Where large areas of ringbarking have been under 

 observation, by far the most satisfactory results have been obtained where 

 the work has been done in the summer. Indeed, in two cases the most 

 -unusual circumstance of yarren suckering was observed through ringing 

 being done in a wet winter, and the country is not as good now as it was 

 ibefore the expenditure was incurred. 



With a view to ascertaining the views of others, the Pastures Protection 

 Board rolls were obtained from the secretaries of the Cobar, Wilcannia, 

 Bourke, and Hillston districts, and circulars were sent to station managers. 

 Forty-six replies were received. Several stated that they had had no 

 -experience, whilst others were very indefinite. However, the writer is 

 indebted to several gentlemen for lengthy replies, containing the results of 

 their experiences, extending over many years. 



The first question asked was: What time of the year do you consider the 

 Jbest for ringbarking? 



A very general reply was when the sap is up. A practical guide to know 

 -when the sap is flowing freely is when the bark strips easily, or when the 

 leaves are of a brighter green than ordinarily. It is a well-known fact that 

 trees are dormant in winter, and that the sap is then down. Theoretically, 

 then, it would not be advisable to ringbark in winter, when the sap is down. 

 Why? Because the tree's food supply is cut off above the ring, and the 

 stored starch goes to the dormant buds, and they develop into suckers. 



The time of year when the sap is flowing freely will depend on the locality, 

 weather, and species of tree. 



Nearly all trees are killed after the first ringing, excepting box and gum 

 {also known as Coolabah), which always sucker more or less, depending on 

 the season when the operation is carried out and the method of ringing 

 adopted. 



In handling replies to the above question a vote was given to each month 

 where the pastoralist had specifically mentioned it. Appended is the 

 ■result : — 



Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 899542222228 



From this table it will be seen that the warm summer months are mostly 

 favoured. The above are the results of observation by practical men. 



* C. J. Woollett. Stock Inspector, Tamworth. 



