$2 , QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jan., 1899. 
Orchard Notes for January. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
In the Orchard Notes for the months of November and December, I have 
already drawn attention to the importance of careful handling and grading in 
the packing and marketing of all kinds of fruit. As there is a large quantity 
of fruit of various kinds to be marketed during the present month, it will not 
be cut of place to again call attention to this most important part of the fruit- 
grower’s work, as it is a branch that is often much neglected, despite the fact 
that the returns obtained from the orchard are largely dependent on the manner 
in which the fruit is got up for sale. During the month the mid-season crop of 
summer fruits will be ripe on the Downs and similar districts, and in the 
Southern Coastal districts the summer crop of pines and early varieties of mangoes 
will be ready for gathering. On the Downs, especially in the later districts, 
great care should be taken to stamp out the first appearance of the fruit fly, 
and the codlin moth should be systematically fought wherever it has made its 
appearance. It is no use to tie bandages round the trunks of the trees if the 
same are covered with rough bark, or if there are stakes standing alongside 
of the trees, as the larve of the moth will hide in the natural shelter of the 
rough bark and stake rather than in that of the bandage. First remove all 
possible hiding-places, and then place your bandages round the clean trunks, 
and you will trap the greater part of the larvex as they leave the fruit. 
The advice given in the December number of the Journai relating to the 
treatment of other fruit pests applies to the present month. 
Keep the orchard well cultivated during the month—on the coast to keep 
down all weed growth as far as possible, and inland, in the dry districts, to 
retain as much moisture as possible in the soil. Where water is available, 
citrus trees growing in warm inland districts should receive a good irrigation 
during the month, taking care to follow the irrigation by a thorough cultiva- 
tion, so as to prevent any baking of the soil, as well as to retain the moisture 
by preventing surface evaporation. Keep the nursery clean, look after all 
grafts or spring buds, and see that they are growing clean and straight, and, 
when the same are strong enough, head back to the height at which it is desired 
to form the head of the tree. Budding of all kinds of fruit trees can be done 
during the month, the only requisites to success being that the buds are fully 
developed, and that the back of the stock runs freely. For budding, use a very 
sharp knife, and see that you cut your buds thin. On no account remove the 
wood from the bud, as it only makes the operation slower, and does no good. 
The quicker budding is done the better, and the less the inner bark of the bud 
or stock is exposed the better will be the take. Always tie your buds firmly, 
especially so at the base of the bud, as it is there that the union must 
_take place. As soon as the bud has taken properly, the ties should be 
cut, otherwise they are apt to cut into and destroy the stock. For full 
particulars of budding I ‘will refer to the article dealing with this subject 
that has already appeared in this Journal. Mangoes can be grafted during the 
month, as described and illustrated in the present number of this Journal. 
When the weather is suitable—that is to say when it is cloudy, and the air is 
full of humidity, and the soil is thoroughly moist—this and the succeeding 
month is a good time to transplant tropical or semi-tropical fruit trees, such as 
the mango, as these trees transplant better now than during early spring. 
Citrus trees of all kinds can also be transplanted successfully. Pines and 
bananas can still be set out, though earlier planting is preferable, in order for 
the young plants to have become thoroughly established before winter. 
Pulses for green-crop manuring, such as the cow pea, poor man’s bean, 
and Small Mauritius bean, can be planted during the month in the coastal 
districts, as they make such a rapid growth during the rainy season that they 
are ale to hold their own against weeds, and in many instances to keep weeds 
in check. , ° 
