Jan. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of ISl.S.W. 79 



Fruit Fly. — All infested fruit, whether on the tree or on the ground^ 

 must be gathered and destroyed by boiling or burning, and no fruit must 

 be allowed to remain on the ground longer than three days before being 

 picked up. 



It has been reported that fruit imported into Victoria from South Aus- 

 tralia has been found to be infested with the grub of the fruit fly, bitt a 

 contradiction appeared later to the effect that they were the larvse of some 

 other fly. 



Red and other Scales on Citrus Trees. — If the trees are in good growing 

 condition, fumigating or spraying may be safely carried on this month, but 

 where trees are suffering from the effects of want of moisture, they should 

 rjf;t be treated tinder any consideration, as either spraying or ftimigating^ 

 would tuider such conditions be harmful to the tree. The lower the 

 temperattire the better will the trees stand either of these processes ; there- 

 fore never treat trees on a hot day; in fact, dtiring this month fumigating 

 gives best results if carried on at night. When it is found necessary, trees 

 may be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture after fumigating, but under no 

 circtimstances must a tree be fumigated after it is sprayed with that 

 mixture. 



Fruit-curing. — The last of the apricot crop and the first of the better 

 varieties of peaches for drying purposes will be ripening this mouth. See 

 that such fruits are handled properly, and do not allow the ctired product to 

 become over dry. As soon as properly processed, store in bags until they 

 are to be packed. Pamphlets on frtiit-curing can be had on application tO' 

 the Department of Agricttlture. 



Cultivation. — Should rain fall during this month, see that the soil is well 

 stirred as soon as it is sufficiently dry to work, or the restdt will be the loss 

 of a considerable qtuintity of the moisttire so essential for the proper 

 nourishment of the trees. These have had a pretty bad time up to the 

 present this season, more especially in the coastal districts, and as a con- 

 sequence are in a weakened condition; and therefore we cannot afford to 

 neglect the cultivation, in order that they may derive the greatest benefit 

 from any moisture that falls. 



Do not fail to order vetches, i^eas, rape-seed, or whatever crop it is in- 

 tended to sow among the trees for green nitniure, as early as possible, as. 

 such crops should be sowti withotit fail early in March, in order that they 

 may put on good growth before being ttirned tuider, and before the rains 

 have ceased to fall in the spring. There are many orchards wliicli could bo 

 made more productive, if the owners would only give a little more attention 

 to the proper manuring and working of same. 



