PLANTING OF FRUIT TREES IN THE DRY LANDS OF CHILE. 587 



from the pot by holding it upside down and knocking the rim of the 

 pot lightly on the edge of the trough. Then, taking the plant with 

 both hands (as in fig. 185), dip it into the water, and with the points 

 of the fingers and slight pressure the softened earth will be loosened 

 from the roots and fall to the bottom of the trough, the smaller roots 

 remaining in suspension. 



When it is telt under the water that the roots are free from earth, 

 move the plant to and fro, making it describe circles in the water. 

 By this means it unwinds the curled-round roots and straightens them 

 out (fig. 186). In Pinus canariensis I have found the roots as much as 

 4 feet in length, in Eucalyptus colossea 2 to 2h feet, and in Eucalyp- 

 tus resinifera and Acacia melanoxylon 1 foot 8 inches to 2 feet. (See figs. 

 187 and 188.) After making this interesting observation as regards the 

 length of the root it is necessary to find a practical economical manner 

 of opening such deep holes as these drawn-out roots require for planting 

 them in the way already described. The North- American implement 

 used for boring holes for fencing posts and a pointed spade answer the 

 purpose excellently. The boring implement (fig. 189) has wooden 

 handles which in opening close the teeth, and in closing open them. As 

 these tools with teeth are of considerable weight, the thrust of them in 

 the soft soil drives about half the length into the ground. In this form 

 of tool the handles are opened with both hands, enclosing the earth 

 in a cube, which is drawn out of the hole with the implement, and by 

 repeating the process the hole increases in depth. The holes are 

 opened with great speed after the rains, and in the experimental plots 

 on this estate the labourers contract to make them at the rate of 

 2s. 6d. to 3s. <\d. for a thousand holes of 2 feet depth each. If it is 

 a matter of still deeper holes the price would be 4s. 2d. to 5s. for the 

 same number. The woods planted on this system have, notwith- 

 standing the very dry years, maintained themselves and grown in 

 splendid condition. 



To secure good results with fruit trees special conditions are 

 required which are not necessary for forest trees. It is not only 

 desirable that fruit trees should take a normal course of growth and 

 formation, but that they should also yield an annual produce which 

 constitutes the real income and profit of such a plantation. Besides 

 a fertile soil and suitability to grow in dry lands, the fruit tree must 

 be able to find enough moisture to enable it to produce its flowers, 

 to swell its fruit, make its growth, and ripen its crop before the extreme 

 dryness of our summer and autumn commences in the hill lands of 

 the coast. The rains in the centre of the country fall from April to 

 October. Only fruit that ripens early is of any real use. Trees whose 

 fruits have to grow with a very small amount of moisture in the soil 

 and ripen only at the end of autumn are of little value. We can only 

 recommend the Almond, Apricot, and Olive : — The Almond is a tree 

 excellent for this class of plantation for the following reasons : (1) 

 on account of its natural adaptation to drought ; (2) its preference 

 for a poor, stony soil ; (3) the great value of the fruit in the market, 



