412 QUEENSLANY AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {lt May, 1902. 
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. Pineapples, 
where at all subject to frost, should receive a light covering of grass or other 
similar material as a protection, or, where practicable, as in the case of scrub 
lands subject to slight frosts, they should be covered with a light framework 
covered with palm leaves or similar material. 
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-leaves, tea-tree 
bush, or other similar material laid across from sapling to sapling, a very cheap 
and 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 peach moths that may be in them, as 
if these insects are well killed down now there will be many less to deal with 
next spring, and there is a chance of the earlier fruits being harvested without 
much loss. 
Farm and Garden Notes for June. 
Frerp.—Since the frosts will have occurred in many parts of the South- 
western district insect life will no longer be so rampant, nor will the growth of 
weeds much hamper the farmer, who will hence have a good opportunity to sow 
lucerne, rye, prairie, and other grasses without fear of their being choked by 
weeds. It has frequently occurred that lucerne sown at the end of April or in 
May during a dropping season has been choked by the dense weed-growth 
which the warm moist weather has called forth. Sow wheat, oats, barley, rye, 
vetches, and set to work to get the land ready for maize, millets, sorghum, 
panicum, &c. It is as yet far too early to sow maize in the South and West, 
although some do so in very warm sheltered situations with fair success, pro- 
vided no frosts occur. It should be remembered that the winter only begins 
on the 24th of this month, so that maize would have to run the chance of at 
least three months’ frosts. Our advice is not to sow, but to get the land ready 
and in good tilth for August and September sowing. Some farmers plant early 
potatoes in June, but they should only be planted next month, and then only 
in very sheltered positions. Arrowroot may shortly be taken up, as the bulbs 
will now be filling out rapidly. Dig sweet potatoes, yams, and ginger. If you 
wish to keep the potatoes for any length of time, store them in sand in a cool 
place. Never store them until they are perfectly ripe. 
Kirenen Garpen.—There will be plenty of work in the kitchen garden this 
month. Keep the hoe constantly going. ‘Transplant horse-radish, eschalots, 
rhubarb, seakale, and asparagus, using plenty of well-rotted manure. Water- 
cresses may also be planted. Running water is not an absolute necessity. Dig 
over the old rhubarb beds ; give new asparagus beds a second digging. 
All European vegetables may be sown during the month, but it is too late 
to sow onions. ‘Towards the end of the month sow tomatoes in a frame, where 
they will be protected from the frost. Plant out cabbages, cauliflowers, and 
lettuces as soon as they are large enough. ; 
Frower Garpen.—Take up and divide herbaceous plants. Prune roses and 
cut off all superfluous, straggling, and dead branches of trees and shrubs. Sow 
candytuft, poppy, larkspur, dianthus, nasturtium, foxglove, Canterbury bells, &e. 
Plant bulbs as recommended in March. Dianthus will give a mass of bloom 
the whole year round if sown now. By pruning and cutting off all dead blooms, 
the plants will remain in full vigour. 
