1 Fes., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, - 225 
be sufficient, as the moths continue to lay their eggs for a considerable time, so 
that in districts where this moth is especially destructive to citrous fruits, 
spraying should be repeated at intervals of not less than three weeks. 
The last and by far and away the most destructive insect is the fruit fly. 
Jt attacks the orange whilst still quite green, and although the eggs seldom 
hatch out when laid in the unripe fruit, the injury to the latter caused by the 
puncture of the ovipositor of the fly tends to a premature ripening of the fruit 
and to its falling from the tree. Kumquats are expecially liable to be attacked 
by the fly, and often form a very good trap for it, as if the tree is carefully 
watched and all infested fruit is gathered and destroyed, a large number of 
Jarvee which would otherwise hatch out and destroy a quantity of fruit, would 
be prevented from so doing. As stated over and over again in these notes and 
in the articles on fruit culture appearing in this Journal, there is no better 
remedy for the fruit fly than the destruction of infested fruit, and the removal 
from the citrus orchard of all worthless and unprofitable fruit trees of all kinds 
which tend to harbour and breed these insects. Systematic and combined effort 
on the part of all fruitgrowers to carry out these recommendations will do 
more to keep this pest in check than anything else, and surely the citrus 
industry alone is worth taking a little trouble to save, as the quality of the fruit 
is recognised throughout Australia, and, it is to be aot will be shortly 
recognised in the Home markets as well. ; 
Seconp.—The Peacock or Shoobridge case, which was accepted as the 
standard case at the Brisbane Fruitgrowers’ ‘Conference in 1897, and again at 
the Melbourne Conference in 1900, for all hard fruits, should be the only case 
used in which to market the fruit; as it is the only case at present in use in 
Australia in which it is possible to pack every grade of oranges, so as to have 
the fruit of even size throughout, and to have the case properly filled. Fruit, 
acked in this case, carried well to Vancouver, and no difficulty was experienced 
in packing the various sized fruits. 
Strawberry planting can be continued during the month on same lines as 
recommended in the notes for February. 
Where new orchards are to be planted, it is fully time to see about the 
preparation of the land, if this has not already been done, as it is advisable to 
get the land well sweetened before planting. Old worn-out trees, and inferior 
trees that it is desirable to do away with, can be taken out during the month, 
the holes from which they have been taken being left exposed to the action of 
the air, so as to be thoroughly sweetened by the time a fresh tree is planted 
in the same place. Keep the soil well worked, and where weeds have got the 
upper hand during the previous month mow them down, and turn them under 
with the plough, a plough having a short digging mouldboard being the best 
for this purpose. 
A. SEEDLESS WATER-MELON. 
The Chicago American reports the discovery of a seedless water-melon as a 
fact. he credit of the discovery, itis said, is due to ex-Senator Swink, of 
_ Colarado, who has been working for years, in this great melon centre of the 
West, on the seedless melon proposition. After working night and day at the 
Problem, he has, it is declared, succeeded. A 20-lb. water-melon grown by him 
Was cut in two, and not a single seed was to be seen. Mr. Swink has not 
j Tevealed the secret of his discovery, but he is quite satisfied that he can always 
Produce a seedless melon. 
