Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28801, 23 January 1959, Page 3

Among The FRUIT TREES With fruit rapidly maturing, there is much need of moisture at present, hence the advice, so often given, for syringing or applying surface mulches to keep the roots cool. For this purpose, a two-inch layer of sawdust or lawn clippings serves a useful purpose. Where early maturing fruits fall rather prematurely, the trouble can usually be ascribed to lack of moisture at the roots. It may not be generally known that until, the moisture content available below the ground exceeds 13 per cent., the roots are absolutely without any moisture, and as we know that nutriment can be absorbed only in liquid form, the need for ample water becomes very apparent. Now that the K blackcurrant and gooseberry crops are about over, some timely assistance can x be given by pruning the bushes. As both these fruits bear on the older wood, a good deal of the present season’s growth can be pruned off to let air and sunlight in, so as to ripen up any fruits that may Still remain. Pruning, however, should Tiot.be too drastic as. the correct shaping is done toe jvinten; and at this stagey the taking Outof the crowding shoots down to the older wood should be sufficient. Some spraying may yet be advised especially peache, nectarines and apple, with lime sulphur or Bordeaux for brown rot and mildew.