cube of excavation. Such pits are very expensive and are 

 only justifiable in special cases, such as for roadside trees 

 where the first object sought is a rapid growth out of 

 harm's way. In such a situation a pit "of this size not only 

 encourages root growth, but offers a valuable opportunity for 

 manuring and improving the soil with road sweepings, old 

 rubbish, &c. By the use of these big pits, trees may be 

 successfully grown in countries where it is too dry for any 

 trees to grow naturally. There the big pit of loose earth 

 acts by inducing a rapid root-growth downwards to a depth 

 where there is always sub- soil moisture. On this system 

 watering is only required two or three times till the trees 

 are established. Watering more than this is harmful, and 

 tends to keep the roots at the surface and defeat the object 

 of the big pit. Some years ago I planted over a million 

 trees in yard cube pits. This was in a very dry hot country 

 Mysore, South India. And these trees came safely 

 through the fearful famine years 1876- ? 77, when all the crops 

 failed for want of rain, and even portions of the indigenous 

 scrub died off. The big pit is a powerful aid to tree- 

 planting; but in Cape Colony, where labour is costly, it 

 can onij be used in special situations such as avenues in 

 towns where the extra tree-growth is worth the extra cost, 

 or where the supply of water is limited, 



Sowing, 



In situ sowings of Wattle, Pine, or other seed should be 

 put in. with the first Autumn rains, or where there is a 

 bummer rainfall, with the first good Spring rains. For 

 wowing in the nursery, Spring is the best season, except in 

 the case of certain succulent seeds such as Acorns, Walnuts, 

 Chestnuts, &c., that do not keep well. These are best 

 sown as soon as ripe. They should not be watered or 

 encouraged to grow during the Winter. Those that do 

 shoot can be protected from frost by a covering of fern, 

 straw or other litter. Do not sow too deeply, either in the 

 nursery or in situ (where the trees are to remain). All 

 seeds require air to germinate ; and if they are buried deep 

 in the ground they will never come up. Heavy seed such 

 as acorns should not be sown more than an inch below the 



