166 



One ot the * Station fields which contained in round numbers 26 per 

 cent of water in the first foot of soil, on July 7, 1898, had one portion 

 ploughed, another disk-harrowed and a portion left untreated. The en- 

 suing dry weather in the course of four weeks, notwithstanding several 

 light rains, reduced the moisture of the untreated part to 15 per cent 

 and that of the disked land to 18 per cent, the ploughed ground retaining 

 21 per cent. The last two were in excellent condition for seeding, 

 while the first would plough up lumpy and unsatisfactory. 



The weight of an acre of the dry soil to the depth of one foot may 

 be taken as 1,600 tons. Each per cent of water in soil to that depth 

 represents about sixteen tons of water per acre, or one-seventh of an 

 inch. The water apparently lost by the untreated soil was 176 tons per 

 acre, equivalent to over one and one-half inches of rain. This is about 

 one-half what the soil would hold after a soaking rain. The real loss 

 was much more than this, since as water escaped from the upper foot, 

 other would be drawn up from below by capillary attraction. The 

 figures given are minimum quantities, therefore. 



Slubble ground should unquestionably be ploughed while the 

 moisture is still in the soil. Experiments of the Station show that sim- 

 ple ploughing is quite as effective for moisture conservation as any 

 tillage yet tested. If time does not permit ploughing, the speedy work 

 of the disk harrow compares favorably in efficiency. In either case, if 

 rain follows sufficient to start the weeds, kill them with a harrow. This 

 will at the same time break up any crust and preserve the soil mulch. 



These principles apply to the provision ground as much as to the 

 large estate, and every man can test them for himself, and make his own 

 ground an experiment station. To test the matter in a small way does 

 not require a plough, a harrow, or a cultivator. All that is necessary 

 for the small proprietor or tenant, is to hoe over part of his ground, say 

 one-half, — during dry weather, very frequently, say at least once a 

 week. The hoeing should be done at any rate if a shower of rain should 

 fall, and as soon after tbe rainas surface has become dry; thisis especially 

 necessary when the soil is clayey. The top layer of 1 or 2 inches of 

 stirred dry soil prevent will the evaporation of water from the soil below. 



ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW.^* 



Kew as a scientific establishment dates from 1759, when a Botanic, 

 or, as it was then called, a Physic, Garden was established by the 

 Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Dowager Princess of Wales. 



It was energetically maintained by her son, George III., with the 

 scientific assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, who was virtually for the 

 greater part of his life Director. Under his advice collectors were 

 sent to all parts of the world. The first new Holland plants were in- 

 troduced during Cook's voyages, 1768-1780. At Sir Joseph Banks' 

 instance the system of inter-colonial exchange was commenced, which 



* Pr. Bull. No. 4. 



* From Colonial Office List, 1899. 



