78 Journal of Agriculture. [10 Feb., 1909. 



3. {a) Half or half-bushel cases: — 26 x 6 x 7I inches (1,112 cubic) 

 inside measurement and clear of all divisions ; or 



((^) 18 X 7 X 8^ inches (1,119 cubic) inside measurement, no divi- 

 sions allowed. 



For export trade. — See 2 ih) and 3 (Jb) above. 



THE ORCHARD. 



James Lang, Harcourt. 



Gathering and marketing the fruit will take up a good deal of time 

 now, and will continue to do so for the rest of the season. The plum 

 crop has been disappointing this year ; in most districts there has been a 

 shortage. Pears are a good crop generally, especially Williams' Bon 

 Chretien. The export of apples and pears will commence this month. 

 the first shipment leaving on the loth. It is almost certain that the 

 quantity available for export will be much larger than in any previous year 

 since the business started. 



In packing apples for export, great care should be taken to see that 

 the fruit is sound and free from disease, especially bitter pit. Numerous 

 complaints have been made by the London brokers during past seasons 

 about the bad condition of many shipments, bitter pit rendering them 

 almost unsaleable. In selecting apples for the first shipments, those 

 varieties which mature early should be given the preference, such as Cox's 

 Orange Pippin, Cleopatra, King of the Pippins, Dumelow's Seedling, and 

 Munroe's Favourite, the latter when they are of a good size. Gravenstiens 

 also may be tried, if picked very green ; good returns were received from 

 this variety two years ago. The foregoing are all good varieties for early 

 shipment, and are not so likely to develop bitter pit as some of the later 

 sorts. 



There is always a good market for pears provided they arrive in good 

 condition. The shipping companies are now taking more care of this 

 fruit than formerly ; separate cool chambers are set apart for pears, and 

 a much lower temperature is maintained during the voyage. During the 

 last vear or two pears have, on the whole, arrived in much better condi- 

 tion than in previous years. The varieties that so far ha^■e carried best 

 are Winter Nelis, Josephine d'Malines, Beurre Clairgeau, Glou jMorceau, 

 Vicar of Winkfield and Forelle, Winter Nelis being the best. The last- 

 named pear seems to suit the demand in the London market and is becoming 

 quite a favourite with the buvers. 



Another spraying for Codlin Moth should be given this month. 

 Where the regular spraying of the orchard has been attended to, very 

 little of the moth is observable. On many trees it is difficult to find a 

 grubbv apple, and in a great many orchards where the spraying has been 

 done regularlv and effectively not more than 5 per cent, of the fruit is 

 affected. If all orchardists were to carefullv and effectivelv spray their 

 trees, the moth would be so reduced in number that it would no longer 

 be a menace to the fruit industry. Fallen apples affected wnth the grub 

 should be gathered up regularly and destroyed. 



Citrus trees should not be allowed to suffer from want of water; a 

 good snaking should be given now and again as required. 



Budding of fruit trees of all kinds may still be done during the month. 



