1 Nov., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 421 
Orchard Notes for November. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
Novemser is an important month for the fruitgrowers of Southern Queens- 
land, as during it many of the earlier varieties of deciduous fruits—such as 
cherries in the Stanthorpe district; early peaches, plums, Japanese plums, 
apricots, apples, and pears on the Downs; and peaches, apples, and early 
varieties of Japanese and American plums in the coastal districts—will be ready 
for marketing. Too great care cannot be exercised in carefully examining 
all early fruits for traces of fruit fly, as the chance of successfully fighting this 
great pest depends mainly on a thorough and systematic destruction of the 
first crop of flies. Allinfested fruit must be gathered and destroyed either 
by boiling or burying at least 18 inches deep. Every fruitgrower should 
make it his business to see that his orchard is kept free from this pest, and not 
only his own orchard but that his neighbours keep their trees free as well. 
All useless trees, such as inferior seedling peaches, guavas, &c., growing by 
hedge or fence sides, should be destroyed, as the fruit is valueless, and only 
becomes a harbour and breeding-ground for the fly. Unless fruitgrowers take 
action—combined and systematic action—to deal with this pest, it will never be 
kept in check ; and for such action to be effective, it is best to destroy all trees 
that produce unsaleable fruit, and to concentrate one’s energies in keeping 
such trees clean that produce fruit of such a quality that it will command a 
ready sale. The marketing of fruit is a matter also that requires much more 
eare and attention than is usually bestowed upon it. In many instances really 
good fruit is completely spoilt by carelessness in gathering, handling, and 
marketing, and is consequently valueless; whereas had it been carefully gathered‘ 
properly graded for size and ripeness, and packed in such a manner that it will 
carry well without bruising, and when opened up show to best advantage, it would 
have realised a satisfactory price. First-class fruit always pays to be well 
handled and well packed, as for such fruit there is always a good demand; but 
for badly handled, undersized, and bruised fruit there is little if any demand— 
at any rate, at remunerative prices. First-class early peaches, such as the 
Alexander or Brigg’s Red May grown on the Downs, would pay to be carefully 
wrapped in tissue-paper and packed in trays holding one layer of fruit, as, if 
marketed in such a manner, they could be placed on the Brisbane market in 
first-class condition, and would realise good prices. First-class apricots, such 
as the Moorpack, would also pay to be handled in the same manner. Fruit- 
growers should bear in mind that the better condition in which they market 
their fruit, and the more attractively it is got up, the better the chance of its 
realising a satisfactory price. 
During the month, the Orchard should be kept well cultivated, especially 
in districts where the rainfall is light; and in such districts, if water is available 
for irrigation, a good watering should be given to all fruit trees and vines. By 
a good watering I don’t mean damping the surface, but giving the soil a thorough 
soaking, as one good watering is worth a dozen small ones. Attend to the 
summer pruning of all young trees, removing any superfluous branches and 
pinching back all strong growths. Attend to the cultivation of the nursery ; 
stake all grafts or buds, so as to produce straight well-grown trees, the bud 
or graft being topped at the height that it is wished to form the head of the 
future tree. 
Keep the Vineyard well cultivated ; disbud and top vines where necessary. 
Keep a careful lookout for caterpillars or grasshoppers, using Paris green as 
a spray as soon as they make their appearance; and also see that oidium is — 
kept a check by the use of the sulphur bellows. 
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