1 Nov., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 397 
Orchard Notes for November, 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
Tym earliest varieties of Summer fruits will be ready to market during 
November; and as this is the beginning of the season, I beg to call the special 
attention of every fruitgrower in the colony to the importance of gathering 
and destroying all fly-infested fruits now if he wants to save any crop at all, as 
the neglect to destroy the first crop of flies will result in the loss of the 
succeeding crops of fruit. It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of 
destroying the early crops of fruit flies, as if left alone they breed so rapidly 
that the fruit crop is soon infested and destroyed. 
The best way of destroying the first crops of flies is to gather and boil all 
infected fruit; such fruit, when boiled, to be fed to pigs or other animals. 
Feeding the fruit without boiling will result in the escape of a number of the 
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maggots, and is therefore undesirable, besides being contrary to the Regulations 
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of the Diseases in Plants Act. 
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 care and attention than is usually bestowed 
upon it. In many instances really good fruit is completely spoilt by careless- 
ness 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 Moorpark, would also 
pay to be handled in the same manner. Fruitgrowers 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 avail- 
able for irrigation, a good watering should be given to all fruit trees and 
vines. By a good watering 1 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. 
