470 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



PLANTING. 



Planting in New South Wales generally takes place between the 

 middle of March and the end of April, although it may be done at other 

 times. It must be remembered that the seasons here are the opposite 

 to those in America. Trees planted early in the Australian autumn (in 

 March) begin quickly to take root, as the ground at that period contains 

 considerable warmth. The plants soou recover from the check caused 

 by removal and are fairly established before the winter sets in. If trees 

 are planted in the Australian winter, say in June and July, the growth 

 is necessarily less active and the plants are liable to suffer from the 

 effects of the winds and frosts, where frost occurs. When it is not 

 convenient to plant in autumn the leading authorities say it is better 

 to wait until spring (September) rather than put the trees in during the 

 winter months. As a rule trees should not be shifted after their spring 

 growth has fairly started or before their summer growth has matured. 

 Mr. D. A. Crichton, in urging this plan, says : 



It must be clearly uuderstoocl, however, that though I advocate autumn planting 

 where practicable, it is essential that the trees are in a fittingcondition for shifting. 

 As a matter of fact the summer growth, very frequently, does not mature early 

 enough for the trees to be shifted in the autumn. 



The same authority is very averse to planting trees close together. 

 He says that the intervening space ought to be fully 24 feet from tree 

 to tree, except in the case of the smaller varieties. The Mandarin, be- 

 ing less robust than other kinds, may be planted out at distances from 

 15 to 18 feet apart, according to growth or variety. 



PROPAGATION. 



Opinion is divided here as to the best method of propagation, but the 

 most successful growers prefer grafting to budding. Most of the trees 

 sold by nurserymen are raised by grafting, but some cultivators mention 

 that the budding process is the best, as grafted trees go off through the 

 bark, decaying at the place where the scion was united to the tree. As 

 to the best kind of stock, many favor the lemon for the reason that it is 

 not only more vigorous and hardy, but less apt to be injured by re- 

 moval. 



The late James Pye, who had more than fifty years' experience with 

 Citrus fruit cultivation at Paramatta, preferred to graft ou the orange 

 stock instead of on lemon stocks. He was also a strong advocate for 

 cultivating seedlingsaud grafting upon them instead of the lemon stocks. 

 He said : 



I commenced grafting upon the bittor orange stocks about five years ago. I find 

 them free from all insects and looking healthier than any other kind. 



Mr. Charles Moore, director of the Botanic Gardeus, Sydney, when 

 be visited the orau;^(i-growing countries some years ago, observed tU^t 



