1 Ava., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL 173 
doubtful. Possibly it may answer as a stock for the lemon, which in rich voleonic 
soils dies off before reaching maturity even on self-roots, whilst those on the trifolata 
survive, but it has not been sufficiently tested to warrant its recommendation, and the 
eneral principle is that evergreen trees seldom succeed for any length of time on 
Hi ieititots stocks. 
SEEDLINGS Versus GRA¥Ts. 
The disparity between seedling and grafted trees is apparent. With the latter 
the time of fruiting, the quality, and the productiveness can always be reckoned upon, 
whilst with the seedling everything is in doubt, and the time which generally elapses 
before it commences to bear is a serious consideration. At N aples a seedling orange 
was 26 years old before commencing to bloom, and in this colony 16 and even 20 years 
have been noted; 8 to 16 years are quite frequent. The trees are generally very thorny 
and of dense growth, and not nearly so easily managed as when grafted. 
Distance or Puanvine. 
The citrus may be classed amongst hardy trees, and requires no special system of 
preparing the soil for the reception of the young trees, nor their after cultivation, but. 
in planting, care should be taken that they are raised rather above than below the level 
of the surrounding surface. There is some dispute as to the distance at which the 
trees should be planted apart, but to allow for full development the round orange and 
lemon should not be closer than 30 feet. For mandarins a less distance will suffice— 
25 feet, and for the smaller varieties, as limes, cumquats, &¢., 20 feet will be sutticient. 
Manvrina. ; 
It is a common error to apply heavy dressings of manure about the young trees, 
particularly at the time of planting, which only serves to harbour fungus and insects 
without in any way benefiting the tree; and it often happens that the greatest care 
misdirected in this way has caused large numbers to die off, the deaths being assigned 
to any reason but the right one. In a poor soil a slight dressing of wood ashes will be 
found a very good addition, and will in no way injure the roots of the trees. It is after 
the trees have become established and commenced to bear that systematic manuring is 
necessary to counteract the continuous strain on the tree. Over-manuring with rank 
manure has the same effect on trees as excessive watering by irrigation or otherwise. 
In this case the absorption appears to be too great in proportion to the transpiration ; 
the bark becomes cracked and detached from the wood in different parts of the tree, 
causing portions of the tree to die right away, the cavities emitting a reddish-coloured 
gum. Whatever manure is used, it should be applied on the surface about the 
extremities of the roots, and lightly worked in without breaking or damaging them. 
So far as the roots have extended the surface should not be stirred deeper than 2 or 
3 inches; beyond their radius cultivate deep and frequently. The objects for which 
the soil is worked are :—Pulverisation to render it more readily penetrated by the 
roots of plants, and by heat and moisture; to allow superfluous moisture to escape into 
the subsoil; to deepen the tilth; to add or mix manures; and to free the soi from 
roots, perennial weeds, stones, or other objects unfavourable to cultivation, and to 
destroy the surface or annual weeds. The retention of moisture by pulverisation is an 
important object in working the soil ; all properly cultivated soils hold water like a 
sponge, while in untilled soils the rains either never penetrate the surface, or they sink 
into the subsoil, and are either lost or retained by it, and prove injurious. 
Prounina. 
As a rule, the trees are more inclined to be too crowded than too thin in and about 
their centres. This must be ee against by pruning, or sunshine and air cannot 
get the admission and circulation necessary for ripening both wood and fruit and 
preserving Pees ase A crowded tree, in addition to being more susceptible to 
disease, is less readily freed from it. Pruning is generally performed during winter, 
and the extent to which it may with advantage be practised depends very much on the 
subject under treatment, its rate of growth, and many other local circumstances. As 
different soils and localities have their own particular influence over the trees grown 
_in them, so does the proper system of treatment vary somewhat in detail. Although 
severe pruning is not to be recommended, it.is essential that the system should ite 
moderately practised, and the work conducted with a view of preserving equality and 
symmetry amongst the branches, also at the same time promoting vigour and fertility. 
Young trees are invariably disposed to produce more branches than space can be 
provided for, and by thinning out those that are weak and misplaced additional 
nourishment is Eypnlied to the others, which, of course, are more favourable to fruit- 
production than if developed under a system which inyolves frequent amputation. 
