1 May, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 411 
ENOGGERA SALES, 
| MARCH. 
Article | 
r . 
| Top Prices. 
fis. d. 
Bullocks | 918 4 
Cows ... ce) 8 i 716 8 
Wethers, Merino ; 012 4 
Ewes, Merino efi | Ov 3 
Wethers, 0.B. or 012 0 
Ewes, C.B. .. i O11 6 
Lambs @} ahh 
Baconers ae oe ates By ry 114 9 
Porkers te ret i Mi fi: ten aa 1 910 
Slips ... x | 014 3 
Orchard Notes for May. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
The hints given in the notes for March and April on the gathering, 
handling, and marketing of citrus fruits apply equally to the present month, 
with this difference, however, that even more care is required, as the riper 
citrus fruits become, the more readily 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 and rubbish that may have accumulated during the 
summer and autumn, and getting 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 for the trees’ growth. Unless this is done, fruit trees, 
especially citrus, are apt to suffer, especially if growing on shallow or badly 
drained soil with a retentive subsoil. Where not already done, all dead or 
worthless trees should be dug out; and if fresh trees are to be planted in the 
same place, then the holes from which the trees have been taken should be allowed 
to remain open, and the soil should be well exposed to the action of the atmos- 
phere 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 acre 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- 
down 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 
benefit. Quickly soluble manure should not be applied now, but should only 
be used during a period of active plant growth, otherwise they are apt to be 
lost. Where possible, don’t destroy the weeds and refuse of an orchard unless 
the same is diseased, or is likely to form a harbour for injurious insects, but 
rather form it into a compost heap, preferably with lime, and allow it to become 
well rotten, when it will be found to be a valuable manure for citrus and other 
trees in many soils; as, though our soils, as a rule, are great producers of 
weeds, many are actually deficient in vegetable matter, so that it is a mistake 
to burn off all weeds, grass, or otherrubbish. This deficiency of organic matter 
in the soil is a serious consideration, as soils deficient in organic matter are 
