313 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO 
MAYLANDS SMALLHOLDERS 
of shoots and tied to the wire, resting the stem of the 
leaf on the wire before tying. Leave the tie rather 
slack for expansion of stem. After trimming and tying, 
spray again with strawsonite. This work should all be 
completed by the beginning of August, if the season 
is suitable to growth. If rain falls immediately after 
spraying, repeat it. 
“The fruit should begin to show color by the middle 
of August, but this varies considerably with the season 
and the age of the plants when set out. 
“As soon as the fruit shows pink, it should be gathered 
and taken to the packing shed. Do not gather the fruit 
green if it can be helped, but wait for a change of color. 
These gatherings should be continued at least twice a 
week so long as the fine weather continues. If the 
weather changes to wet after a long dry spell, it 
is very probable that many of the fruit will crack, 
and then it is advisable to gather the fruit green, 
if quite fully matured; this will save them from 
cracking. If the weather is cold and dull, the plants 
should be sprayed with Evans’ Aseptic Spray. This 
will not leave a stain on the fruit. After the second week 
in August, the plants may be topped, as this will help 
the fruits to swell, and fruit setting after this date will 
probably be useless. Keep the side shoots removed, 
and remove and shorten bottom leaves to let the sun- 
light into the plants. Remember this: plants allowed 
to grow close and crowded are much more liable to 
disease, and spraying does not thoroughly cover them; 
also plants with many shoots make less fruit, of a smaller 
