i May, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 441 
Orchard Notes for May. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
Tie hints given in last month’s notes on the gathering, handling, and marketing 
of citrus fruits apply equally to the present month, with this difference, how- 
_ ‘ver, that even more care is required, as the riper citrus fruits become, the more 
Teadily are they bruised and injured. May being usually a more or less dry 
Month on the coast, the opportunity should be taken of cleaning up all weeds 
‘nd rubbish that may have accumulated during the summer and autumn, and 
Setting the surface of the land into a good state of cultivation, so that the 
Comparatively small rainfall of the winter months may be conserved in the soil 
or the trees’ growth. Unless this is done, fruit trees, especially citrus, are 
| 4pt to suffer, especially if growing on shallow or badly drained soil with a 
Yetentive subsoil. _ Where not already done, all dead or worthless trees should 
e dug out; and if fresh trees are to be planted in.the same place, then the 
oles from which the trees have been taken should be allowed to remain open, 
nd the soil should be well exposed to the action of the atmosphere and be well 
Sweetened. Land intended for planting during the winter should be got ready, 
More especially if it is new land, as it is a mistake to delay the preparation of 
the land too much, or to plant the trees in a raw, unsweetened, and improperly 
prepared land. What planting has to be done, see that it is done well, as an 
cre of land properly prepared will pay better than twice or three times that 
Quantity treated anyhow. 
Towards the end of the month, slowly soluble manures, such as boiling- 
Own refuse or coarse bones, may be applied to the land, as they will become 
Slowly available; and when the spring growth starts, the trees will get the 
enefit. Quickly soluble manure should not be applied now, but should only 
© used during a period of active plant growth, otherwise they are apt to be 
Ost, Where possible, don’t destroy the weeds and refuse of an orchard unless 
the same is diseased, or is likely to form a bad harbour for injurious insects, 
Dut rather form it into a compost heap, preferably with lime, and allow it to 
come well rotten, when it will be found to be a valuable mulch for citrus 
%nd other trees in many soils; as, though our soils, as a rule, are great pro- 
ucers of weeds, many are actually deficient in vegetable matter, so that it is a 
Mistake to burn off all weeds, grass, or other rubbish. This deficiency of 
ganic matter in the soil is a serious consideration, as soils deficient in organic 
| hatter are usually deficient in nitrogen, and also they are deficient in the power 
to retain moisture—a matter of extreme importance in a country like this, where 
We are subject to such long spells of dry weather. 
In the colder districts the pruning of deciduous trees may be commenced 
towards the end of the month, but in other parts of the colony it is better to 
Wait longer, as the leaves are not off and the sap is not down. In the case of 
stapes, early pruning is always to be advocated where possible, as it is best to 
Prune as soon as ever the sapisdown. Pineapples, where at all subject to frost, 
Should receive a light covering of grass or other similar material asa protection, 
%r, where practicable, as in the case of scrub lands subject to slight frosts, they 
Mould be covered with a light framework covered with palm leaves or similar 
aterial, 
Palm stems or saplings resting on forked posts, placed on either side of the 
bed to be protected, make a good framework; and with palm-leayes, tea-tree 
*ush, or other similar material laid across from sapling to sapling, a very cheap 
nd efficient protection against frost is obtained. 
Gather and destroy all infested guavas, oranges, custard apples, &c., so as 
to destroy the larve of any fruit flies or moths that may be in KBE as if these 
sects are well killed down now there will be many less to deal with next 
‘pring, and there is a chance of the earlier fruits being harvested without much 
88, 
lo 
