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bore a hole 144 inch in diameter at 3 inches from each end; or, 
instead of the holes, cut notches at each end of the board. 
To use the “tree-setter,” the V shaped notch is put against the 
stake, which marks the spot the tree is to oceupy. Through the hole 
at each end, or in the notches, as the case may be, drive into the 
ground pegs 1 to 1%4 inch in diameter and 12 to 15 inches long 
that will easily pass through the holes. This having been done, 
remove the central stake in the V notch, lift the board over the two 
terminal pegs, which are left in the ground, and dig the hole. When 
planting, replace the “tree-setter” over these two pegs, and place 
the stem so that it will fit into the V; it will then occupy exactly 
the same spot the stake oceupied when the ground was laid out. 
The hole should be three feet square, convex in the centre, or 
of the shape of an inverted saucer. This is done by heaping up 
some loose surface soil, so that when the tree is planted its base 
stands a little higher than the roots, which spread out evenly round, 
radiating outwards with a slight dip downwards. 
Whenever patches of hard ironstone conglomerate, such as are 
met with at places on the Darling Range, or of impervious peaty or 
calcareous hardpan, such as exist sometimes round ti-tree swamps m 
the coastal zone, occur, a few plugs of gelignite exploded in the 
ground will leave numerous crevices which will premote the drainage 
of the land and permit the roots of the plants to penetrate through 
the pan and gain access to the subsoil underneath. 
Selecting the trees from the nursery requires some discrimina- 
tion. The varities to be planted having been decided upon, place 
the order with a good and reliable nurseryman, preferably a local 
one with a reputation to keep up. Sixpence more on the price of a 
tree, when compared with the fruit pedler’s quotations, may have 
to be paid, but it will be money well invested. 
When buying trees it is well to stipulate that the stems should 
be smooth, the roots not too much hacked about; that the trees, if 
peaches, should be on peach stock, except when planted on heavy 
clay or in damp places, when they might be on plums; apples on 
northern spy, citrus trees on hitter orange or on pomelo, to guard 
against collar rot. It is well to require some guarantee that the 
trees are free from fungi and injurious insects, and more particu- 
larly some of the worst scale insects. 
Large quantities of deciduous nursery stock are received from 
oversea. These carry best when packed dry in bundles. If wet 
and placed in the holds of ships they sometimes heat and after a few 
days the bark and buds turn black. Citrus trees are packed with 
