== q VAverr, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 333 
Orchard Notes for April. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
| tas are undoubtedly the fruits of the month, especially in the Maryborough 
ik Northern coastal districts of the colony, so that a few words on their 
| Bthering, handling, and packing may not be altogether out of place, as the 
ss or failure of an orchard depends quite as much on the careful handling 
| reaching of the fruit as on any other orchard operations throughout the 
a | ih Th the first place, too great care cannot be exercised in the gathering of 
7 mn wt so as to prevent injury from bruising or otherwise, as a bruised fruit 
lays a spoilt fruit and will not carry. All citrus fruits, especially manda- 
|, 0d lemons, should be cut instead of being pulled from the trees, clippers 
| the f or the purpose being used. In pulling citrus fruits you are apt to injure 
| ‘uit; the skin at the stem end being either lifted or entirely pulled out 
| Iiys 2ee): which causes the fruit to decay from this spot, and this cause of 
th i entirely obviated when the fruit is carefully cut. ‘When cut, the fruit 
; thes dhe gently handled so as to prevent any bruising, and should be placed 
| res to sweat, so as to toughen the skin and render it less liable to injury 
| fmt Packed. When sweated the fruit should be graded to size, and then 
6 nade packed into the cases in which it is to be marketed or exported. 
Tne aly fruit, if firmly packed, will not need wrapping for intercolonial trade ; 
' ruit for export, and also extra quality fruit for intercolonial trade, will 
Y to be wrapped in good-quality, tough tissue-paper. Careful gathering, 
“fit Ing, grading, and packing are the secrets of success in marketing citrus: 
wll 8; close attention to same will result in a profit to the shipper, and neglect 
Mean failure. 
Ty During the month the orchard should be kept thoroughly cultivated, and 
“'@ not already done should be got into proper shape after the summer 
im ah So as to be ready for the winter work. New land to be set out to 
bet nie should be got into order, as it is advisable to start early in order to 
| he land thoroughly pulverised and sweetened before planting the trees. 
+ dey Ul truits, citrus especially, that are exported from the colony, should be 
| dot Ned from all scale or other insects infesting them. These remarks apply 
q only to citrus fruits but also to bananas, pineapples, custard apples, &c., 
14 20 fruits should be exported from Queensland unless they are free from 
‘se of any kind. 
tm Care should be taken to gather and destroy any guavas that may be lying 
® the trees, as these fruits are the breeding-grounds of the fruit fly, and if 
fe, -Stroyed are the medium of carrying this great fruit pest over from one 
| les to another, so that it is spose vie to devote too great care to the 
| fy ction of all fallen guavas or other fruits during the autumn, as by care- 
| al) attending to this the crop of fruit flies for the succeeding season will be 
“ally diminished. 
Taig OPE — An error occurred in our transcription of Mr. Benson’s Orchard 
ayy for last month, an important paragraph having been omitted. After 
‘hing fruitgrowers to look out for and destroy the fruit fly, Mr. Benson 
Thsect and fungus pests should be fought wherever and whenever found, . 
