1 Jvry, 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 155 
A mistake which is often made is that of allowing the trees to grow two or three 
standards. In consequence, itis almost impossible to grow a well-formed and shapely 
tree. They should never be allowed to stand on more than one stem; and this should 
be topped so as to branch out at about 2° inches from the ground. 
The principal object should be to induce the tree to grow a nice symmetrical 
shape. ‘Yo obtain this, the centre of the tree should be kept fairly well open, and 
only allowed to grow such branches as will keep it evenly balanced and will help it to 
grow a nice shapely tree in the future. 
Jf there are any symptoms of scale or any other insect pest, they should 
immediately be well syringed with a solution of common soda and Stockholm tar. 
Should any of the mixture, whilst spraying, be found to have run down the stem, and 
so reached the ground, the soil with which it has come in contact should be carefully 
removed and some fresh be substituted, or it may have an ill effect upon the roots. 
As the treés habitually grow very quickly, the ground around soon becomes somewhat 
impoverished, and they should, therefore, be helped on occasionally. Young trees 
cannot be assisted too much, and a good manuring now and then will have a marked 
result. ‘This is a matter which is very often overlooked, and the trees, consequently, 
get weak and sickly; and this, in many cases, often conduces to the various pests to 
which they are subject. : 
If it is possible to keep 3 or 4 inches of soil always loose on top, thus allowing 
the moisture and air free access to the roots, it will be noticed they will thrive much 
better than if the soil is constantly caked and hard. 3 
TREATMENT OF FULL-GROWN TREES—PESTS, CULTIVATION, PRUNING, &c. 
-When the trees have arrived at maturity and are giving their crops, it is to the 
interest of the grower to keep them in a healthy condition, and it is invariably a great 
help to give the ground a good sprinkling of lime and salt thrown broadcast 
occasionally. 
In the summer, especially if it should be a dry season, it is a great assistance 
to give the trees a good mulching. Blade grass or fern litter will answer the purpose, 
or, in fact, anything which will form a mulch. This will keep the ground moist, and 
prevent them from withering when the heat is excessive, and it has been proved to be 
very beneficial. On the first approach of any insect pest no time should be lost in 
endeavouring to effectually stop it from spreading to other trees, for it is astonishing 
with what rapidity such pests as scale or white mite will travel from one tree to 
another, until, if not eventually stopped, there will not be a tree in the orangery, 
however large, which will remain free; and it behoves all growers to be perpetually on 
the lookout for any signs of the various pests to which the Citrus family are subject, 
for the size of the crops or the fruit themselves can never be a source of satisfaction 
or profit to the grower if the trees are continually in an infested state. Without 
doubt the cyanide treatment is the most effectual in the long run, especially if the 
orangery is a large one and the trees are a good size, but the first outlay for tents and 
other apparatus is so considerable that the small grower is not often prepared to 
obtain them, but I think this could easily be remedied if a number of small growers 
were to combine and purchase the necessary outfit between them; the outlay would not 
be felt nearly so keenly, and in such an event neighbours could help one another in 
operating. ‘This is also a matter for local fruitgrowers’ associations to consider, whose 
weight in procuring the necessary requisites would undoubtedly facilitate matters of 
of this description, and would thus render more pecuniary aid to its members. 
In the event of neither of these schemes answering, the system of painting the 
trunks and branches and spraying should be given a trial; this by many growers is 
highly recommended, and in many instances has proved to be most effectual. 
____ A good paint for the trunks can be made with 24 lb. of sulphur and 2 Ib. of slack 
lime being boiled in 2 gallons of water for one hour, or until sulphur is dissolved ; 
then add 4 more Ib. of lime and more water to make the whole up to 4 gallons. 
A very simple wash for syringing the trees, and which is found most effectual, is 
prepared ie dissolving 13 1b. of common soda in 4 gallons of boiling water; then 
remove from fire, and add } pint of Stockholm tar, and apply while hot. This mixture 
has been found a sure remedy for the destruction of all insect pests, and a test trial 
on the tenderest shoots resulted in no injury. The trunks should be painted at any 
time that the trees may happen to be infested, and spraying with the above solution 
may also be accomplished with safety at any period of the year except when in flower, 
but undoubtedly the best time for cleansing the trees is shortly after the crops have 
béen removed, when they should be resting before they commence to make new wood. 
If the above remedies are systematically practised, there is no visible reason why 
the trees should not always be in a clean and healthy condition. 
