13 



grading, which will be mostly restricted to the re- 

 moving of small bumps or rises. On no considera- 

 tion should more soil be removed than is absolutely 

 necessary, as experience has shown that where from 

 six inches to one foot of the surface soil has been 

 graded off and trees planted on the exposed sub-soil, 

 that their growth has been slow and unsatisfactory 

 for years. On the box flats and on other lands where 

 there is but little fall, the grading has to be more 

 thorough, as the slightest rise will stop the flow of 

 the irrigation water. 



The cost of preparing the land for planting will, 

 of course, vary with the nature of the land. On the 

 State irrigation areas of South Australia, the Gov- 

 ernment makes advances to settlers for grubbing, 

 fencing, grading, and channelling up to 15 per, acre. 

 Not every block, however, will cost as much as this 

 to prepare for planting, and 12 per acre may be 

 take as a rough average. 



