THE WOMBAT. 



frost alone has upon rocks ; when water freezes it expands, 

 and so when water is present in the crevices of rocks its freez- 

 ing tends to widen fissures, and split the rock to pieces. 

 Water also exercises both solvent and mechanical actions 

 upon rocks. You have noticed before now the change in 

 contour of the sea-coast, and is it any wonder when we observe 

 how the mighty waves toss and roar in upon the shore ? 



When frost or the action of water has thus crumbled away 

 the rocks, the oxygen and carbonic acid of the air step in, and 

 complete their chemical solution. No kind of rock, however 

 solid it may be, can withstand the continued action of heat 

 and cold, of water and air. The effects of these actions may 

 be observed on tombstones and elsewhere. It follows then 

 that as the component parts of soil are similar to those of the 

 rocks from which it has originated — and rocks vary greatly — 

 it is important that we should be acquainted with the com- 

 position of them, as it enables us to form a very correct opinion 

 of the quality of the soil without the aid of analysis. A know- 

 ledge of geological formations and deposits enables us to tell 

 at a glance the kind of vegetation it is likely to produce under 

 the treatment of civilisation, knowing from our previous 

 experience in botany the chemical wants of various orders of 

 plants, as well as to tell the natural fauna and flora of any locality 

 so that we are brought face to face again with that correlation 

 of phenomena referred to above. Much of our so-called 

 "practical farming" or " practical experience" is superseded 

 by such a knowledge of natural phenomena and, after all, such 

 "practical experience" consists only of spasmodic observations 

 ot ordinary results and remembering them. This shows one 

 of the advantages agriculturists and horticulturists derive from 

 a technical education, and the establishment of experimental 

 stations in all the chief provinces of the colony is badly needed 

 for the purpose of placing such information at the command 

 of all those desirous of succeeding in the now risky occupation 

 of tilling the soil. 



A systematic study of the natural flora of a country is 

 highly commendable ; it is now recognised as an indisputable 

 fact that an experienced botanist can tell in a moment what 

 kind of plants may be naturalised in a district after he is 

 acquainted with its native plants. It is also advisable to note 

 the occurrence of any unusual plants, introduced or indigenous, 

 and carefully observe their surroundings, such as moisture and 

 soil. If our State School teachers devoted an hour to a field 

 outing once a week, and gave practical demonstrations on the 

 living plants, trees, soil, rocks, &c, I venture to suggest that 

 it would stimulate a desire on the part of the children to 

 observe for themselves. 



