Notes and Gleanings.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 423, 27 November 1889, Page 5

Notes and Gleanings.

Trial ott Stone and Stump Gathering Machine. — We recently referred to a bonui offered in South Australia for a stone anc stump gatherer. The trial of the competing machines was arranged to take place at, the Roseworthy farm on September 14tb, Several machines were entered for the trial, but only that of Messrs Wm. Heithersa^ and John Hannaford, of Petersburg, S.A., was on the ground. The conditions specified that the implement should be capable of gathering from the surface all loose stones or stumps from 1 to 561b in weight ; clearing at one operation a width of not less than four feet six inches ; and to be drawn by horses; draught not to exceed the capacity of three ordinary animals ; the appliance to be either attachable to an ordinary tip-dray,or to have atip receptacle capable of holding not less than 20cwt attached, and to be strongly made, the cost of its construction to the farmer not exceeding £35 ; while lightnessof draught, combined withstrength, durability, and cost would be taken into account. The machine shown consisted of a frame upon four wheels, an elevated framework being erected thereon with a revolving apparatus. In the front of the frame was a pole attached to an ordinary dray, while at the back a strong rake or comb gathered the stones and stumps, extending: over a width of 3 feet 6 inches. By means of two drums and chain, a set of revolving rakes was worked in an opposite direction to the progress of the machine, and as they descended they caught the stones and stumps collected by the comb, and being carried forward were discharged in the dray in front. The comb was constructed on the stump - jump prin* ciple, so as to avoid any fixed obstructions. It was found that the forks of the rakes were too close together to allow the soil to fall through, and the construction of the comb was a little faulty ; but it was stated that in a trial on hard ground there was not the necessity of stopping to clear obstructions every nine or ten yards as on the soft limestone mallee soil on which it was tried officially. The rear wheels at least should be ribbed to prevent them slipping. Another trial ia likely to be held in March, when the Government will be urged to offer more substantial rewards. The Black \\ alnut.— Every land owner should plane the black walnut. It is the most valuable of trees. No tree can nearly approach ib in yearly future value. Prof. Brown, of Ontario, estimates from an experience of his own, that an acre planted wiih this tree may, in fifty years, produce a value of $18,350. Prof. Beal, from his experience, thought this estimate too low. Think of a mean annual income of $322.00 from an acre of trees, bhe trees and planting of which could be done for less than $50.00. At least every waste place, especially if the soil is rich, should be planted with the black walnut. It is a sturdy, handsome, vigorous tree, easily grown, because no animal, and only one insect, feeds on it. The white walnut, or butternut, isaleoagood thing to plant. The black walnut has a transcendent value but little known, which is that the fine European walnut {Inglans regia) grows finely on it, either stock or top grafted. The hardier varieties of this finest of nut 3 from the north of Europe should succeed, top-grafted on this readystock in all the Middle and Southern States. The writer of this has sent thousands of black walnut seedlings to California for this purpose. Horticulture has yet hundreds of profitable paths untrodden. American Garden.