The FRUIT GARDEN

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 16

The FRUIT GARDEN

At the risk of being charged with undue repetition, may I say again that the importance of the fruit crop justifies pointing out some of the steps necessary to secure good, clean fruit, and this is especially so with the larger pip and stone fruits. At the present time there may be nothing to indicate trouble ahead, and that is just the reason why methods of control are so vital.

The grub of the codlin is not visible on the apple, nor the spore of brown rot on peach or nectarine. They are probably there all the same, to reveal their dread effects at picking time. Leaf curl is self evident, and so is mildew on young apple twigs.

I find the best control is to go carefully over the trees, picking off any visible infections, then spraying with lime sulphur for further control. The raspberry canes and loganberries should be sprayed with arsenate of lead to control the grub enemy. Watch for bladder plum infection. This will show itself by grey, distorted fruits. Branches bearing these should be cut off and burned. It is a joy to examine peach or nectarine trees and find them clean and vigorous without warped or blistered leaves. By this test you can discover the effectiveness or otherwise of your spraying programme. It is likely that there will be quite a lot of small dead laterals on these trees, killed by winter fungoids. These should be cut off and burned.

Here And There . . • Finish planting dahlias and chrysanthemums. Give them good composted soil, anywhere except under trees. With old clumps now shooting up fast put stakes in position for tying them up as they reach full height. Both dahlias and chrysanthemums make more growth than is necessary for good blooms, and at least one-third should be removed at ground level. In the same way carnations, now budding freely, should have all side buds removed to obtain a first-class bloom on a strong stem of good length. To keep these stems erect, put two dr three sticks round each plant and encircle them with loops of twine upon which the flower stems can rest.

There is no need to have bare spaces on the borders. They can quickly be made neat and satisfying by sowing some show annuals—nigella, mignonette, visearia, godetia. candytuft, eschscholtzla, linum, calliopals or cornflower. All these can be depended upon to fill a gap quickly. At this time of the year shrubs and trees are apt to produce spreading branches which spoil their shape, or interfere with the growth end development df other neighbouring plant*. These should be removed. .