LIME IN THE ORCHARD.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 130, 1 December 1908, Page 6

LIME IN THE ORCHARD.

♦ . j The vahie of lime in the orchaud,, and its effect on fungicide, .was ■ Recently referred to hy Mr S. Kinnor, a Now South "Wales orchardist. He observed : "Some years ,ago I took over a property in which, were planted .some y«ung trees; Somo of thorn nearly .dead with scale, aphis, Mack fungus, or smut. Some I cut down close to tho ground, and the others I sprinkled with" dry lime (quicklime or slaked lime.) during a slight' shower, and in two weeks the trees had put out young shoots, and are to-day fine, healthy trees. I have thrown lime- over thorn three.- times altogether in nino years. I could estimate that treating each, trco cost 6d. Evevyoue is surprised at tlie healthy, clean appearance of my orauge trees. ]\fy opinion always has been that one of the principal

cuiuscs« of disease, in fruit trees is want of lime in the soil. If orch.ardists would only give their • orchards a good dressing of lime- they would snrpriso themselves as woll as .the inspectors. Tho waste lime from acetylone gas is quit© as good, or even hotter, and should bo used in a liquid state, and applied 'with a spray pump .«• There is no danger of it hurting tho foliage or fruit. I havo also found it a remedy for tho small ladybird or beetle, which sometimes attacks orange trees in myriads, and clears off' both-' -leaves and fruit when it is setting. My trees were attached two years ago. 1 threw lime over thorn, and the little pests were soon or awling •under tho trees and -dying, and" in a few days tho trees were quit* , free ; *md I have not been troubled with them since. I used to use I'esi'B and soda' mixture beforo I found 'otxb the lime remedy; but you don't 'catch. nie 'at that game now."