PREPARING GROUND FOR PLANTING. 13 



land of an exactly similar nature, and separated 

 from it only by a wall, was half pond, half swamp, 

 and remained in that state the whole winter. 



" In autumn, when the subsoil had been exposed 

 to the action of the atmosphere and become somewhat 

 consolidated, a kind of drag, with three tines and a 

 wheel 6 inches wide on the sole in front, was used for 

 pressing down the soil and breaking the clods. The 

 tines of the drag, descending to a distance of 12 

 inches, work more effectually when the surface is 

 compressed with this wheel. It pulverises the soil 

 and presses it firmly down, and thus not only is the 

 soil in a better state for the reception of the young 

 trees, but also there is less fear of the plants being 

 lifted by the frost. It is a very valuable implement, 

 and indispensable to the barren land planter. One 

 man with two horses will do 6 acres per day. 



" The writer now wishes to show, by giving an 

 accurate statement of the cost of breaking up the 

 ground for the above - named plantation, that the 

 system of planting advocated in this report is not 

 more expensive than those generally in use : 



Cost of previous Ploughing. 



Two men, at 2s. 6d. each per day, . . .050 



Two horses, at 3s. 6d. each per day, . . . 070 



Wear and tear, 010 



Four acres ploughed, . . . . 13 



Cost of ploughing, per acre, . . . 033 

 Cost of Subsoiling. 



Four men, at 2s. 6d. each per day, . . . 10 



Six horses, at 3s. 6d. each per day, . . . 110 



Wear and tear, 040 



Three and a half acres per day, . . . 1 15 

 Equal, per acre, 10 



