The Orchard. 649 



THE ORCHARD. 



By J as. Lang. 



The gathering of the fruit now being finished, it is necessary to 

 get ready for the winter's work. When gathering the fruit note 

 should have been made of worn-out or worthless varieties of fruit 

 trees, with a view to heading them back in the spring, and regraftiug 

 with more suitable kinds where the stock is healthy and free from 

 disease. In this way old, healthy trees can be given a new lease of 

 life, and produce fruit more adapted to the requirements of the 

 market. 



New Plantings. 



Where it is intended to make new plantations of fruit trees the 

 ground should be broken up at once, as early planting is always to 

 be recommended. Lists of the best varieties of fruits to plant were 

 given in the July (1903) number of the Journal. 



Citrus Fruits. — Now is a good time to plant citrus trees, as, the 

 ground being warm and moist, they take root at once, before the cold 

 of winter sets in. The old Lisbon lemon is still one of the best to 

 plant, and does well south of the Dividing range. Oranges require a 

 hotter climate than lemons, and succeed well in the warmer parts of 

 the State. 



Strawberry plantations, if now made, take root at once, and where 

 strong plants are put out a fair crop may be had the first season. 



Draining. 



The draining of orchards is a matter that does not receive the 

 attention that its importance demands. In most districts where there 

 is a heavy rainfall it is essential that the ground should be drained. 

 Where orchards are drained it is more easy to combat the various 

 fungus diseases that attack fruit trees, while a more healthy and 

 vigorous growth is promoted. Drains should be not less than two 

 and a half feet in depth, and laid with the ordinary draining tile. 

 Two and a half inches in diameter is a good size. Where tiles cannot 

 be got, stone broken like rough road metal may be used, a depth of 

 one foot being put into the drain ; this will last for years without 

 choking. 



Insect Pests- 



The codlin moth bands will require to be removed and scalded, 

 dried, and put away ready to be put on again next spring. Scrape 

 all loose bark from the trees and fill up with putty any holes or 

 crevices in old trees, which lessens the hiding places of the grub, and 

 tends to reduce the number. 



