23 



When setting about ring- barking and clearing, a few trees 

 should be left standing. Shade is quite as grateful in the hot 

 summer months to stock as feed. 



SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICT. 



Varieties of Trees. Jarrah, red gum, flooded gum, banksia, 

 white gum, blue gum, peppermint, yate, blackbutt. 



Method and Time of Destruction. Great diversity of opinion 

 exists apparently, both as to the method of killing the trees, 

 whether by ring- barking or sap-ringing, and also as to the period of 

 the year during which the work should be done. There is, however, 

 a unanimous opinion that jarrah, red gum, banksia, and blackbutt 

 should be. destroyed by ring-barking, and yate, peppermint, and 

 flooded gum by sap-ringing. In the case of blue gums the 

 advocates of sapping and ring- barking are equally divided, while in 

 the case of white gums the advocates of ring-barking are in a large 

 majority. One correspondent does not enumerate the trees in his 

 locality (Bridgetown), but advises "all to sap when the trees are in 

 flower;" while another correspondent would "advise all newcomers 

 to adopt ring-barking." 



In regard to the time of the year when the ring-barking or 

 sapping should be done, there is a wide range of opinion. All the 

 months in the year are recommended, except April, May, and June. 

 There is a slight preponderance of opinion in favour of ring- 

 barking the trees from October to February. One correspondent 

 at Jayes reports having killed jarrah and white gum in three days 

 by ring-barking in February. July to October appears to be the 

 best period for destroying the red gum. January. February, and 

 March for the blue gum, white gum, flooded gum, peppermint, 

 yate, and black-butt. All, with one exception, agree that the 

 banksia may be killed by ring-barking at any period of the year, 

 the dissentient being in favour of the months of January, February, 

 and March. 



Referring to jarrah, red gum, and blackbutt, Mr. J. Forster 

 Johnston, of Leschenault, writes : "I have had over 1,000 acres 

 ring-barked on my Preston property in different months, varying 

 from March to November, and found it all effective." Referring 

 to the "Leschenault blue gums," the same writer says : "These 

 trees I find very difficult to kill. Some few will die right out and 

 others live for years." Mr. Andrew Muir, of Lake Muir, writes : 

 " I find the best time to ring-bark in our district is in the months of 

 September, October, and the early part of November, for jarrah, 

 red gum, and blackbutt. Yate requires ringing in January, as if 

 rung at that time it will die in a few days, and will not throw up 



suckers, which it will do if rung in the winter months 



White gum you can ring at any time when the bark strips freely ; 

 in fact, it is no use ringing any tree if it will not bark freely." 



Mr. J. P. 0. Wellard, of Mornington, writes : " In ring- 

 barking I have found the months named (January, February, and 



