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TRANSPLANTING. 
be sufficiently covered by a touch over with chain harrows. If it is light an ry, 
a roller should follow the harrow; or the ground may be firmed and the seed 
covered by driving a mob of sheep two or three times over it. What Eucalyptus 
seeds need is a very light covering on a surface that is firm without being tiara, 
and moist without being wet. Deep covering will prevent germination and kill 
the seed. Obviously , seeds sown in lines should not be cross-harrowed. 
0) SEASONS FOR SOWING IN SITU. 
There are two seasons in the year when Eucalyptus seeds may be sown 
autumn and spring. In districts where the winters are very mild the sowing may 
be done in autumn, February and March being the best months. Plants started in 
either of these months or even in April, and carried without injury through the 
winter, will be able to take full advantage of the next spring and summer growing 
season, and this will be nearly equal to the gain of a year as against waiting to 
sow in the spring. But in the numerous localities where severe frosts fall early 
and there are many cloudy days, the prospect for carrying infant eucalypts 
through the winter in open situations will be too doubtful. In general practice it 
will be safer and better to wait for the spring. September will be right if the 
land is then dry and the weather warm; but in many cases there will be reason to 
wait until October or even November. The risk with late sowing is that dry 
weather may set in and kill off the young plants before they can get their roots 
down to permanent moisture. 
TRANSPLANTING. 
Though so simple and easy, sowing the seed where the trees are to grow 
cannot become the exclusive practice. Transplanting will often be more convenient 
for small areas, and some planters will prefer it for their general work, however 
extensive. There are several ways in which transplanting may be carried out, 
every one of which merits careful explanation. 
(a) USING SURPLUS PLANTS FROM A SOWN AREA. 
A man who has laid down a patch by sowing where he wishes the trees to 
grow may find in a few months that parts of his ground are carrying far more 
plants than are necessary. These surplus plants need not be wasted. They can be 
used to fill up blanks or to extend the plantation. While the plants are still 
small, any of the species may be successfully transplanted from a sown patch 
provided each plant is lifted and replanted with a block of unloosened earth 
adhering to the roots. A narrow keen-edged spade is the best tool for the work. 
With it a cut is made on three sides of the plant; then the tool is driven deeply in 
on the fourth side and the separated block with its contained plant lifted out. If 
the soil holds well together, the blocks can be collected and carried to the planting 
ground in a wheelbarrow or cart. Each block is then pressed firmly into a prepared 
hole, so that the base of the plant may be a little below its former level with the 
surface of the ground. E. Macarthuri, E. viminalis, and a few others may be 
transplanted with quite bare roots provided the work is quickly and skilfully done; 
but generally success will depend upon keeping the roots protected by some 
