AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



Testing for Water Capacity. Glass vessels answer 

 best for this test, so that we may see what is going on ; 

 but other vessels of the same form 

 may be made to do duty. 10 ounces 

 of air-dried soil answer very well. 

 A glass funnel, or filler, with an 

 ordinary paper filter, is placed in the 

 cylinder, as shown. Then the soil to 

 be tested is put in the funnel, the 

 paper preventing it from passing 

 through. For the test, gently pour 

 water upon the soil. A fairly good 

 loam, with say 10 per cent, of vege- 

 table matter, will be found to absorb 

 the water freely, and may take up and 

 hold, by capillary attraction, over 

 one-half its own weight, or, say the 

 10 oz. of soil may take in and hold in 

 suspension 6 ozs. of water. A rich, 

 loamy soil, having over 18 per cent, 

 of vegetable matter in its composition, 



may absorb 8 ozs. of water. In practice it is found that 

 the soils which take in water most readily by this test 

 give it off most slowly by evaporation. Hence their value 

 in a climate where so much of the success of agriculture of 

 all kinds is dependent upon the capacity of the soil to 

 absorb rain and to resist dry spells. 



Testing Soil for Water 

 Capacity. 



III. CLEARING LAND, BUILDING, FENCING. 



Clearing off Timber, &c. The help of an experienced 

 hand, or the advice of a neighour is of great value in 

 falling heavy trees, scrub or any dense growth of timber 

 that has of necessity to be burnt off. The winter season 

 June, July and August is the time for this work. The 

 blacks in the less populous parts of the country are expert 

 at it. They cut down vines and light timber first, then 

 tumble the heavy stuff on top, lopping off the branches to 



