1 Szpr., 1898. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 243 
and masticated very finely. An egg spread on toast is fit for a king—if kings 
deserve better food than anybody else. Fried eggs are much less wholesome 
than boiled ones. An egg dropped into hot water is not only a clean and 
handsome but a delicious morsel. Most people spoil the taste of their eggs 
by adding pepper and salt. A little sweet butter is the best dressing. Hggs 
eontain much phosphorus, which is supposed to be beneficial to those who use 
their brains much.— Bundaberg Mail. 
AGE OF MANDARIN ORANGE-TREES. 
Some time ago we were requested by a correspondent to give the age of the 
oldest Mandarin trees in Queensland. After considerable inquiry we 
discovered trees in the Rockhampton and Maryborough districts of respectable 
old age, still in vigorous health and bearing heavily. But, irrespective of 
individual trees, including some we ourselves planted thirty years ago in the 
Oxley district, we are inclined to give the palm for comparatively hoary old 
age to trees now thriving in Mr. Parker’s orchard, at Glen Retreat, in the 
Enoggera district. Here there are Emperor Mandarins, forty years old, 
bearing heavily, and showing no sign of “die back.’’ The Scarlet Emperors on 
this property, planted thirty-five years ago, are magnificent trees, spreading 
over 40 feet, with a stem diameter of 15 inches. The soil is a sandy, scrub 
loam, and very little manure has ever been applied to it. The Emperors first 
mentioned as being forty years old have a stem cireumference of 3 feet 
2 inches just below the first branches, the branches spread to a diameter of 
_ 25 fect, and at the time of our visit were loaded with excellent fruit. The 
orchard is situated in a fertile valley—we might even call it a wide gully—at 
the base of two ranges of high hills, and is well sheltered from high winds. 
There is one variety of orange grown here which we have not seen else- 
where in perfection. It is called the “Beauty of Glen Retreat.” This 
mandarin is one of the most perfect oranges of its kind we have ever seen. 
It is of medium size with a perfectly smooth skin, scarcely thicker than parch- 
ment. Indeed, when held up to a strong light, the skin is quite transparent. 
The orange has an excellent flavour and is very juicy, with less fibre than any 
other mandarin. 
Lately at some of the shows, notably at Maryborough and at Gatton, 
exhibits have been made of Glen Retreats, which have been disqualified by 
the judges as being either sports from the original or a “ throw back.” Mr. 
Benson had an excellent opportunity at Maryborough of proving the correct- 
ness of his judgment, as he was able to produce the true Glen Retreat, and on 
comparison with the rougher exhibit the difference was plainly seen. At the 
Gatton Show the same thing occurred. Messrs. Boyd and Gorrie, when 
judging the oranges, threw out an exhibit marked Glen Retreat, and were able 
to emphatically sustain their judgment. 
Mr. Parker is careful to maintain this variety in its purity, and has been 
most successful in doing so. Orange-growers could not do better than pay a 
visit to this orchard, and they would then easily perceive the difference between 
the true ‘‘ Glen” and the sport. 
TO GERMINATE MUSK SEED. 
Mr. 8S. Faves recommends the following method of germinating musk seed:— 
Take a flower-pot; place in the bottom the usual crocks and charcoal, fill up 
to within an inch of the top with good potting soil and dry manure, which 
must be very fine; then thoroughly water before sowing the seed. After 
scattering the seed on the surface, cover lightly with very fine potting soil; 
place a piece of glass over the pot; keep it in the shade, or where at most it 
will get the morning sun. When the plants are up, raise the glass a little by 
placing a piece of stick under it on the edge of the pot, and when they are 
half-an-inch high remove the glass altogether. 
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