1 Juny, 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 67 
suitable to the soil and climate, that will produce superior fruit, and for which 
there is always a ready sale. Therefore, I again repeat that no grower who is 
dependent on fruit culture for his livmg can afford to spend time or money in 
the growing and looking after unsuitable varieties of fruit trees. 
Farm and Garden Notes for August. 
This and the following two months are about the busiest periods of the 
ear so far as work in the field is concerned ; and the more activity now displayed 
in getting in the summer crops, the richer will be the reward at harvest time. 
Potatoes should be planted, taking care to select only good sound seed that has 
sprouted. This will ensure an even crop. Yams, arrowroot, ginger, and 
sugar-cane may now be planted. Sow maize for an early crop, choosing the 
largest and flattest grains. If the seed of prolific varieties is regularly saved, 
in the end it will not be surprising to find from four to six cobs oneach stalk. This 
hasbeen the experiencein America, where the selecting of seeds has been reduced to 
a fineart. Swede turnips, clover, and lucerne may be sown, but as the weeds will 
soon dispute the ground with the crops keep the hoe and cultivator constantly going. 
Sow tobacco. Rice and coffee (except Liberian) should be by this time harvested. 
August is usually a dry month, especially in the North, but the probabilities are 
that the drought will have broken up by that time, and heavy rains may be 
looked for. As was the case after the great drought of 1864, the ants are now 
everywhere taking to the trees, and the aboriginals are making their camps on 
high ground in anticipation of floods. Plough out the old canes, and get the 
land in order for replanting. 
Kitchen Garden.—Nearly all spring and summer crops can now be planted. 
Here is a list of seeds and roots to be sown which will keep the market 
gardencrs busy for some time: Carrots, parsnip, turnip, beet, lettuce, endive, 
salsify, radish, rhubarb, asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, French beans, runner 
beans of all kinds, peas, parsley, tomato, egg-plant, sea-kale, cucumber, 
melon, pumpkin, globe artichokes. Set out any cabbage plants and kohl- 
rabi that are ready. Towards the end of the month plant out tomatoes, 
melons, cucumbers, &c., which have been raised under cover. Support 
peas by sticks or wire-netting. Pinch off the tops of broad beans as they 
come into flower to make the beans set. Plough or dig up old cauliflower 
and cabbage beds, and let them lie in the rough for a month before replanting, 
so that the soil may get the benefit of the sun and air. Top dressing, 
where vegetables have been planted out, with fine stable manure has a most 
beneficial effect on their growth, as it furnishes a mulch as well as supplies of 
plant food. 
Flower Garden.—All the roses should haye been pruned some time ago, 
but do not forget to look over them occasionally, and encourage them in the 
way they should go by rubbing off any shoots which tend to grow towards the 
centre. Where there is a fine young shoot growing in the right direction, cut 
off the old parent branch which it will replace. If this work is done gradually 
it will save a great deal of hacking and sawing when next pruning season 
arrives. ‘Trim and repair the lawns. Plant out antirrhinums (snapdragon), 
pansies, hollyhocks, verbenas, petunias, &c. Sow zinnias, amaranthus, balsam, 
chrysanthemum, marigolds, cosmos, coxcombs, phloxes, sweet peas, lupins ; and 
lant gladiolus, tuberoses, amaryllis, pancratium, ismene, crinums, belladonna, 
fly, and other bulbs. In the case of dahlias, however, it will be better to 
place them in some warm moist spot, where they will start gently and be read 
to plant out in a month or two. Although we anticipate that the drought will 
be over in August, it must be remembered that this is the driest of our months. 
During thirty-eight years the average number of rainy days in August was seven, 
and the mean average rainfall 2°63 inches, and for September 2:07 inches, 
increasing gradually to a rainfall of 7°69 inches in February. 
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