country the drying of the seed would be imperative, but it can be sent 

 ail over South Africa in the manner indicated with perfect safety. 



_ Planting should take place when the ground is warm and fairly 

 rapid germination likely to occur. This points to our Spring months, 

 such as September and October, as being the most suitable, but there 

 are so many difierent climates and circumstances to consider here that 

 no one month can be definitely named. The seed should be set out in 

 rows across the bed, say 6 or 8 inches apart, and the seeds 2 or 3 inches 

 apart in the row. This affords room for a hoe to be used to keep down 

 weeds, etc. Water in the requisite quantities must be forthcoming, 

 but too much should not be given or " damping off " is likely to occur. 

 In the hotter parts it is necessary to provide some kind of protection 

 from the sun during the day, and this may be done by placing strong 

 stakes along the edges of the beds with a piece of No. 8 galvanized 

 wire along the top. To this wire either canvas or straw or reed mats 

 should be attached in such a manner as to admit of its being easily 

 and quickly rolled up. During the extreme heat of the day the 

 covering is unrolled over the young plants and rolled up again before 

 evening — gradually as the plants gain strength the exposure to the 

 sun is extended until eventually no further shading is needed. The 

 covering is also useful when the nights are cold and any danger from 

 frost is feared. Frequent stirring of the soil is desirable, and nt) 

 crust should be allowed to form on it or weeds to appear. '. 



Transplanting from the seed beds into the nursery should take 

 place when the little trees are 8 to 10 inches high. They should be 

 planted in rows at least 4 feet apart and at about 12 to 15 inches in 

 the row. These distances admit of the development of a well-grown, 

 healthy young tree. Transplanting may be done at any time when 

 the trees are sufficiently grown and the soil in good condition to 

 receive them. Dull, rainy weather is desirable for the operation, but 

 as in South Africa this is not always to be had, a plentiful supply of 

 water becomes of the utmost importance, and the young trees should 

 be maintained as far as possible in constant growth until such time as 

 they may be ready for budding. During the transplanting process 

 care must be taken that the roots of the seedlings are not allowed to 

 dry, and an effort should be made to effect the work with as little 

 check to the growth of the plant as possible. Any poor and unhealthy 

 looking specimens should be thrown away — a tree stunted in its infancy 

 is never likely to become a source of pride or profit to any one. The 

 actual method of planting is dependent on the individual preference 

 of the grower (some may wish to plant in furrows made by a plough) ; 

 a more general practice, however, is to plant by hand with a spade, 

 and this method is for small undertakings usually quite satisfactory. 



Nursery soils should be nroperly prepared to receive the young 

 plants from the seed bed. Deep ploughing is essential ; if possible 

 trenching, or at least sub-soiling with a sub-soil plough, should be 

 adopted. Fertilizing should also not be neglected. This is one of the 

 most important considerations and requires to be so adjusted that no 

 undue stimulus should be given to the trees ; should this occur when 

 the time arrives for them to be planted in ordinary orchard soil a 

 period of stagnation often prevails — the tree does not come on properly 

 and altogether behaves in an unsatisfactory manner. This is due to 

 the change from a highly fertile soil to one of ordinary character. 

 On the other hand, the land must be rendered sufficiently fertile to 



2a 



