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large roots cut, also that the tree is well dug under on one side. To pull down 
trees with bullocks, all that is required is a strong wire rope of sufficient 
length for the team to be clear of the tree when it falls. One end of this rope 
is made fast to the tree as high up as possible, and the other is fastened to 
a heavy log, to the other end of which the bullocks are hitched. The 
bullocks keep a steady strain on the log, and the tree is pulled down. ‘The 
roots should be then run, timber suitable for fencing should be saved, and 
the balance either burnt off or, where required for fuel, cut into suitable 
lengths and carted off. When burning off do not make too large fires, as if 
so the land is apt to be injured by the extreme heat; and when the timber is 
burnt see that the ashes are spread over the land, and not allowed to remain 
in great masses where they will do more harm than good. 
For taking out large stumps or any very heavy timber, the best and 
cheapest method of clearing is by means of powder, as large stumps can be 
easily blown up or so shattered that they will burn readily if a good charge of 
powder is placed well down in the main root or well into the solid part at the 
base of the stump. Very heavy timber also burns off much more readily if 
shattered by one or two charges of powder. Clearing with powder is largely 
carried out in the case of heavy timber in California, and it is found to be 
much the most economical process, and I recently met a fruit-grower near 
Woombye who had used powder with marked success in clearing heavy forest 
country. Never burn any really good timber if you can possibly help it, as 
the time is coming when we shall want those timbers which are now destroyed 
annually to the extent of many millions of feet. As soon as cleared, the land 
is ready for breaking up, and if the clearing is well done and the roots well 
run the land should be ploughed with a good single-furrow breaking plough 
as deeply as the nature of the soil will permit, but in no case should the subsoil 
be brought to the surface. The breaking plough should be followed by a powerful 
subsoil plough, such as shown in the accompanying illustrations, and which is 
being used at the Hermitage and Westbrook Experiment Farms. The subsoiler 
shown is Brisbane-made, costs £7, is very strong, does excellent work, is not 
easily broken, and will break up the subsoil to a depth of 16 to 20 inches from 
the surface. Preparing the land in this manner acts, in a great measure, the 
same as if the land was trenched by hand, and the cost does not exceed £2 10s. 
per acre. Subsoiling tends to break up any hard pan; it warms, drains, and 
aerates the subsoil, renders its plant food available for the trees’ use, and 
increases the capacity of the soil for retaining moisture—a very great considera- 
tion in this colony on account of the long periods of dry weather and the 
excessive surface evaporation during hot dry spells. 
The breaking ploughs that are used should be strong, and should turn the 
soil right over, not standit on edge. The ground should be left as rough as 
possible, and if it can be managed it should be left exposed to the full action 
-of the weather for some months before planting, as this will tend to sweeten 
the soil, liberate plant food, and to make 1t more friable and easily worked. 
The land shouid be then well harrowed with heavy breaking harrows, so as to 
thoroughiy break up any sod in the original furrows. It should next be cross- 
ploughed and worked down fine, all roots or stumps met with in the various 
workings being burnt, and any rocks being taken out and carted off. If the 
surface of the land intended for the orchard is very uneyen, then it should be 
graded or levelled before planting ; and if it is intended to irrigate the orchard, 
then this grading must be very carefully carried out. When dealing with 
orchard irrigation later on, I will go fully into the question of grading, and 
will endeavour to show how it may be most cheaply and accurately done. 
Always prepare the land thoroughly, and it will be found that the extra care 
devoted to careful preparation will pay handsomely in the end, as the trees will 
get a better start, thrive better, come into bearing earlier, and produce more: 
and better fruit than when little or no care has been taken. Never plant 
any fruit trees on raw, sour, or badly drained land, but see that the land is 
thoroughly sweetened and brought into a fine state of tilth before planting. 
