102 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Avae., 1902. 
cultivate to a depth of about 4 inches, and in soil of fair depth too. Sooner or 
later theirs will be the experience of many others. They will find out that 
mother-earth will not always smile when her back is scratched. Experiments 
have proved that subsoiling to a depth of 12 inches has conserved 128 tons of 
moisture per acre as compared with half that amount when only ploughed to a 
depth of 5 inches. The loosening up of the soil not only conserves the moisture, 
but also allows the roots of the plant to more freely extend themselves in their 
search after nourishment. In regard to shallow versus deep cultivation, an 
experiment on a small scale is being carried out at Biggenden State Farm. 
Half of one of the experiment plots was ploughed to a depth of 6 inches—the 
remaining part to a depth of 10. Across this area was planted a variety of 
crops, viz.—Arrowroots, ginger, sunflowers, castor-oil, &c. The smaller crops 
have not yet been harvested, but the outward appearance in favour of deep 
cultivation is very noticeable. On the sunflowers and castor-oil the difference 
was most marked ; on the shallow cultivation the sunflowers were a complete 
failure; while on the more deeply worked soil they produced a fair crop. 
Asa simple and effective means of conserving moisture in the soil mulch- 
ing is of the greatest importance. Mulching is the process of applying various 
substances as a covering for the soil over the roots of plants so as to prevent 
evaporation. This may be done by applying such substances as stable-yard 
manure, rotten straw, grass, weeds, cornstalks, or in fact anything of an organic 
nature. This mulch is, however, more applicable to fruit-trees and other per- 
manent plants rather than to ordinary farm crops. In applying it to trees, 
avoid the too common error of piling it up ina heap close to the trunk. 
Spread it out at least as wide as the branches, out where the tips of the roots 
are, for it is there the moisture is absorbed. To lessen the chance of mould 
and fungus growth being bred in the material, shake it up now and again with 
a fork or hoe. In continued wet weather it is better to pull it to one side or 
spread it out altogether, as it might do harm in causing a fresh growth of roots 
near the surface. The easiest manufactured and most quickly applied mulech— 
the material for which is always at hand—is that formed by reducing the soil 
particles on the surface to a fine state of division, and so obtaining what is 
known as a dust mulch. This is without question one of the best means at the 
farmer’s disposal to tide his crop over a dry period. During a drought nothing 
is more beneficial to the growing crop than a constant stirring of the surface 
soil, care being taken not to disturb or lacerate the roots. This is especially 
necessary after a shower, and every effort should be made, if dry weather is at 
all likely to supervene, to break up the crust that is sure to form as soon as the 
land is sufficiently dry to be worked with horses. Crops of maize, sugar-cane, 
&c., that would have been acomplete failure if no attention had been paid to 
the conservation of moisture, have been successfully pulled through a drought 
by the simple means of “ blanketing ” the soil with a dust mulch. 
Mr. Brooks sent two illustrations showing how the growth of castor-oil plants was improved 
by deep cultivation. They arrived, unfortunately, too late for reproduction with the above 
article.—Ed. Q.A.J/. 
HOW TO KEEP THE YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE FARM 
was the subject of the following very sensible address given by Mr. W. 
Jamieson, M.P., at a meeting of one of the branches of the South Australian 
Bureau of Agriculture :— 
“Tt is almost universally admitted that a very great many of our young 
people leave the farms when they become old enough to shift for themselves, 
and these are usually the most intelligent, active, and enterprising of our young 
people. They get away to Broken Hill, Westralia, or seek employment in 
