248 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Mar., 1898. 
Orchard Notes for March, 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
Wiru the exception of a few late varieties in the Stanthorpe district, all the 
summer fruits are now over, and the citrus season is commencing. Early 
oranges will be ready to ship from the Maryborough and Northern districts 
during the month, for, though they will not have developed their full flavour, 
the Southern markets are bare of any main crop citrus fruits, and our 
oranges, in consequence, meet with a ready sale. Citrus fruits should always 
- be cut, not pulled from the tree, and should be handled as gently as possible. 
They should be carefully graded for colour, size, and quality before packing, 
and should be firmly packed so that there is no danger of braising during 
transit, as slackly packed fruit always bruises more or less badly. Early 
fruit usually carries well, as the skins are fine and tough, and not nearly ag 
soft and brittle as they become when the fruit is fully ripe, so that with 
ordinary care they should reach the Southern markets without loss and in 
first-class condition. Main crop lemons should be getting ready to cut, as, if 
allowed to remain on the trees too long, they only become coarse and worthless 
for storing or shipping—in fact, only of value for preserving. Main crop 
lemons cure and keep well, the only secret in the curing being to cut the fruit 
at the right stage, which is usually just as it begins to get the first tinge of 
yellow, to handle it carefully so as to prevent bruising, and then to store 
in a darkened place having an even cool temperature and only moderate 
ventilation, but the store must not be too damp. Lemons gathered at the 
right time, carefully handled, and properly cured will keep for months, and 
will always bring more money than if they are allowed to remain on the trees 
till they become coarse and over-ripe. Strawberry planting can be continued 
during the month, advantage being taken of any dull showery days for setting 
out the plants. Where new orchards are to be planted the ground should now 
be under preparation, as if new land is to be planted it is advisable to allow it 
to become well exposed to the air, so as to sweeten it and render it friable for 
some time before the trees are planted. 
Dead or superfluous trees can be removed during the month; and when 
replanting on the same spot is desirable, then the hole from which the dead 
tree has been taken should be left open, and the soil left exposed to the action 
of the air, so as to sweeten it before a fresh tree is planted in the same spot. 
Keep the orchards well cultivated, and fight insect and fungus pests 
whenever and wherever found. Look out for the fruit fly, especially in guavas, 
as if the infected fruits are carefully gathered and destroyed it will prevent 
‘a large number of flies from hatching out and destroying mandarins, 
‘cumquats, and oranges. In the earlier part of last citrus season a large 
number of oranges were destroyed by the larve of the peach moth, the first 
sign that the fruit was attacked being a premature ripening, and if the fruit 
was carefully examined a yery small hole, usually at the stem or where two 
fruits touched, was found; and when the fruit was dissected a small cater- 
pillar, similar to that met with in maize and peaches, was found. The fruit 
when attacked fell off, and considerable loss was occasioned in several districts. 
The best remedy will probably be to spray the fruit, before it begins to colour, 
with Paris green, 1 oz. to 10 gallons of water, adding a little lime to the water 
to make the poison adhere better. This moth is becoming very common, and 
is doing a large amount of damage to all kinds of fruit, and, like the fruit fly, 
it would be kept considerably in check were the destruction of fallen infected 
fruit properly carried out, as a large proportion of the larve would be destroyed 
with the fruit, 
