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1 Ava., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 285 
Orchard Notes for August. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON. 
The planting of deciduous trees should be completed by the end of this 
‘month in all parts of the State, but evergreen trees can be transplanted during 
-seasonable moist weather at any time of the year if the operation is carefully 
-carried out. When set out, the young trees must be cut hard back to a height 
+hat in no case should exceed 2 feet from the ground, and in warm dry districts 
half of this height is to be preferred. Cutting back at planting insures a 
-strong and vigorous young growth, whereas by neglecting to cut hard back at 
planting the future growth, vigour, and symmetry of the tree are greatly 
impaired if not completely spoilt. The pruning of all deciduous trees must 
also have been completed ; and all citrus fruit trees from which the fruits have 
or should have been gathered should be gone over carefully, all dead and 
‘badly diseased wood should be removed, and any crossing or superfluous 
‘branches, or water sprouts, should be cut away. When the trees are badly 
attacked by scales, this pruning should be severe, in order that the remedies 
used for dealing with these pests may have a fair chance, as when the top of a 
citrus tree is allowed to grow like a mat it is impossible to get the spraying 
material on to the parts where it is most wanted. Spraying should be 
systematically carried out in every orchard in the State during this and the 
preceding month, and in the case of fungus diseases on deciduous trees during 
the following month as well. Spraying is just as essential an operation as the 
gathering of the fruit; and no fruitgrower who wishes to make fruitgrowing 
‘a success can afford to neglect it, as it is impossible to breed disease in fruit 
trees and to grow fruit profitably at one and the same time. A tull description 
of the operation of spraying and of the most approved remedies was published 
some time ago in pamphlet form by the Department of Agriculture, so that 
any grower who has not received a copy and who desires to obtain the 
necessary information may obtain it by writing to the Department. After 
pruning and spraying, the orchard should be ploughed; so that all weeds and 
trash can ‘be buried, and also that the land that has been trodden down firm 
shall be broken up. Use a short American plough that will take a wide furrow 
and turn it right over. The depth at which to plough will depend on the 
treatment the orchard has previously received and on the nature of the soil. 
Tf the soil is shallow, or if the land has never been worked, then the ploughing 
must be shallow or the roots will be badly injured ; but where there is plenty 
of soil and a perfect sub-drainage, then the ploughing can be from 4 to 6 inches 
in depth (provided the land has been previously cultivated) without any injury 
to the trees. In fact, in such soil surface roots are not required, and the trees 
stand dry weather best when deeply rooted. 
Quick-acting artificial manures, such as sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of 
otash, or superphosphate, can be applied during the month, but care should 
be taken not to apply too large a quantity at once, as, owing to their extreme 
solubility, a considerable portion of them is apt to be washed out and lost by 
heavy rains. In conclusion, one more word about spraying, and that is: Do 
your utmost to stamp out diseases in new districts as soon as ever they make 
their appearance. Do not consider any disease too trivial, and that it can be 
well let alone to a more convenient time, as the more convenient time will not 
come ; but the disease will flourish and spread rapidly, so that what might have 
been checked, if not eradicated, by half-an-hour’s work, will now take the 
grower all he knows to get the better of it. In spraying, whether for insects 
or fungi, a knowledge of the pest to be treated, combined with carefulness 
and promptitude, are the essentials of success. 
In notes of this kind it is impossible that they can apply equally to every 
part of the State, but they will be found to be about an average. Very early 
districts will sometimes require the notes of a month later, and very late 
districts those of a month earlier; but this will right itself when a year’s 
notes have been written. 
