QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, [1 Mar., 1900: 
Orchard Notes for March. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
THe citriis season is now commencing. Early oranges will be ready to ship for, 
the Maryborough and Northern districts during the month, for, though they Ne 
not haye developed their full flavour, the Southern markets are bare of any” is 
crop citrus fruits, and our oranges, in consequence, meet with a ready wie 
Citrus fruits should always be cut, not pulled from the tree, and shou fh 
handled as gently as possible. hey should be carefully graded for colour, ® 
and quality before packing, and should be firmly packed so that, there 
danger of bruising during transit, as slackly packed fruit always bruises no 
less badly. arly fruit usually carries well, as the skins are fine and tough i at 
not nearly as soft and britile as they become when the fruit is fully ripe, 8° dn 
with ordinary care they should reach the Southern markets without loss a0"; 
first-class condition. Main crop lemons should be getting ready to cut, ree 
allowed to remain on the trees too long, they only become coarse and wort ons 
for storing or shipping —in fact, only of value for preserving. Main cro Br '. 
cure and keep well, the only secret in the curing being to cut the fruit ab 
right stage, which is usually just as it begins to get the first tinge of ye a) 
handle it carefully so as to prevent bruising, and then to store in a dati the 
place having an even cool temperature and only moderate ventilation, ba lly 
store must not be too damp. Lemons gathered at the right time, cate or 
handled, and properly cured will keep for months, and will always bring vee 
money than if they are allowed to remain on the trees till they become cones 
and oyer-ripe. Strawberry planting can be continued during the month, here 
tage being taken of any dull showery days for setting out the plants. W 
new orchards are to be planted the ground should now be under preparat 
if new land is to be planted it is advisable to allow it to become well expo® 
the air, so as to sweeten it, and render it friable for some time before the 
low; a 
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ike 
common, and is doing a large amount of damage to all kinds of fruit, and, Ng 
the fruit fly, it would be kept considerably in check were the destruct” 
fallen infected fruit properly carried out, as a large proportion of the 
would be destroyed with the fruit. 
