May, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 373 
JP any of our light scrub soils I know of no better system to adopt. The 
 }:*Pagation of this plant by cuttings is not commonly adopted, and indeed is not 
> “Satisfactory as from seedling plants; still there are times when the system will 
[hove worthy of atrial. It may be that from failure of the seed to germinate there 
I; hot enough plants to fill the area or to supply misses in the rows transplanted. 
:, tis, however, imperative to replace them, propagation from cuttings, or, 
ee properly, branches, will be expedient. When the shrubs are 1 foot or 
. i Inches high, select from your most vigorous and bushy shrub a couple 
q le lower branches. Do not cut them, but, with a gentle snatch, break off 
_},\Wood close to the main stem of the shrub. It will break off very easily, 
},,,.°0 examination of the branch you will observe the edging of the break will. 
: all ate a strong rim of bark which will, on transplanting, quickly become 
Ta; ous and soon provide a good root-hold for the shrub. Bushes propagated in 
{ee Way in some seasons bear when the more vigorous and earlier shrubs. 
|,"¥ little or no fruit, but they are invariably more stunted in growth, yet 
Ti lly yield a fair crop. Thus, by adopting any of the systems here described, 
|,“ Prospective grower can hardly fail. With a moderate rainfall, rosellas will 
|" luxuriantly in any locality where the soil is suitable, and when winter 
| “ts do not set in too early to allow of the proper maturing of fruit. Too 
1 sed situations should, if possible, be avoided, as high winds, blowing on the 
| Ush with its luxuriant foliage, often break down the branches, and, in times of 
tinued wet weather, blow the shrubs over. 
. PICKING THE FRUIT. 
| the This is a rather monotonous occupation for adults, and is more suitable for 
AS folks. As soon as the fruit is matured, it is advisable to lose no 
14, ®in gathering. When this work is delayed, I have observed a tendency on 
| ,,,bart of the fruit stalk to so toughen as to be an impediment to quick 
Vino and, moreover, it leaves the fruit exposed after maturity on the 
Vote £° become to some extent deteriorated by the attacks of aphis, which 
ae affect it at this stage. In picking for market, care should be observed to 
; |? "Kk the fruit as free as possible from stalks, leaves, &c., as, when required by 
Be pastries, the presence of such superfluous matter will militate against 
e, 
SHELLING. 
Ty The removal of the edible covering from the seed pod is a somewhat 
qarsome business, more especially when it depends on hand labour. Usually, 
(bod is taken in the hand and the covering is dragged off piecemeal, and a 
} 4°18 employed to sever the base of the pod, which facilitates the removal of 
d bg voring, both of which operations are rather slow. Here comes in the 
| ut of the old adage that “necessity is the mother of invention,” and, as a 
an t, an invention is to be obtained from some of our city seedsmen that 
| 4, Comes the difficulty of separating the pods from the fruit, and, the cost of 
|,. Mstrument being moderate, any grower on a large scale who requires to 
Parate the fruit will do well to purchase one. The diagram shows two forms 
Der ee uel 
Fria. 1. 
9 {pane instrument. Jig. 1 was invented and patented by Mr. T. Chalk, of 
} “paroo; and Fig. 2 is an improvement on it, which I made for my own use. 
pf 
Fic. 2. 
1 0 
