CULTIVATION OF CROPS. 69 



by plough, fork, hoe, or other implements to the depth re- 

 quired, our object is to retain as much moisture as possible 

 in it. This is done in the most effective manner, as the 

 case is in all soils, by seeing that the drainage is effective 

 to the depth required. That being right, we keep the im- 

 mediate surface loose, but the soil below in a more compact 

 state than the others. And to prevent overheating of the 

 surface, well rotted vegetable matter, bush scrapings, leaf 

 mould, etc., make very helpful manure dressings. All soils 

 are influenced by the conditions stated, and are aided further, 

 both in the mechanical and chemical sense, by using 

 manures in comparatively fresh state in the stiffer soils, 

 and well rotted in the more sandy. In the latter, lime is 

 best supplied as bone dust, over one half of which is lime. 

 Capillary action, sending up moisture from the subsoils 

 which seldom dry up entirely under well cultivated land- 

 is quickened by the foregoing conditions of soil and culti- 

 vation. 



Commencing with Horse Labour. Numbers of horses 

 are spoiled by being put to harder work than they are fit for 

 at first. Putting horses to stiff' ploughing as a commence- 

 ment for what is expected from them is a common cause 

 of trouble. Rather let them do lighter work for the first 

 few days. See that the collars fit well, that they do not 

 gall. Loose collars are frequent cause of sore shoulders. 

 Sponge the shoulders night and morning with a strong tea 

 made from wattle or iron bark until they get hardened. 

 It repays the trouble in added comfort to plough horses to 

 change the team or rest them at midday, in the shade if 

 possible. It is like taking off' your hat when you come in 

 tired and heated by work. When a gall does arise, bathe 

 it at least three times a day with cold water, and then 

 kerosene. If possible Irt the animal rest until the spot is 

 healed, but by all means try to relieve the sore place by 

 winding cloth around the collar to ease off' the pressure. 

 Do not hurry too much. Let the horses take their own 

 natural pace as nearly as good work will allow, and they 

 will not need to rest so often, and will leave the field 

 fresher than if hurried along. For many kinds of work it 

 is better to use two light than one heavy horse. In 



