The Orchard.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2647, 10 November 1919, Page 5

The Orchard.

Work for the present month is referred to as follows in the current issue of the Journal of Agriculture :

Bummer work in the orchard may now bo said to have commenced. vVhilc the foliage is on Ihe trees one of the most important things to guard against is spray burn. Good healthy foliage is necessary for the development and maturing of the crop, and every precaution should bo taken to prevent Ib.ss of leaf-surface. Line-sulphur and arsenate of load are the two principal sprays used in summer. Growers should realise the importance of procuring a good and reliable brand of lime-sulphur as much depends on the purity of the solution. Some of the best results that have come under my notice, and certainly the safest as far as foliage is concerned, were from the use of home-made limesulphur. With the home-made article one has certainly the knowledge that it is pure and contains no extraneous matter likely to act detrimentally on foliage. Though it is safer to use lime-sul-phur and arsenate of lead separately, when the two are combined it is advisable to add lime to the arsenate of lead before mixing with the lime-sul-phur, in order to minimise the hsk of burning. Use a little more lime than arsenate in weight ; slake the lime and dilute it well ; then make an equal dilution of arsenate and limesulphur, and [tour the two together into a third vessel, stirring well. Many troubles from spray burning can be directly traced to the spraytank. It is imperative that it should bo thoroughly well washed out alien changing from one compound to another. Lime-sulphur following bordeaux in tho tank often turns brown. Very little re -idno of bor doaux will do this. Even when limesulphur or bordeaux is used continuously all day, it is advisable to wash the pump out several times during tinday, as the residue in the tank alters the strength of the incoming mixture. Good agitation during the whole time the spraying is going on is also necessary to success.

GTAGU NUTUS

(J. 11. Thorp.) Cultivation must ho well attended to, and the spray-pumps also kept at work, Stone-fruits will require to bo thinned where very heavy crops have sot. Apple-trees just coming into bearing have .a habit sometimes of fruiting on the leading shoots, especially with Jonathans. if the- fruit is allowed to remain the leaders become weak and misshapen. Remove all fruit from them as soon as possible. Newly planted trees will need surplus shoots removing from the stems, also those not required for the building of the tree. Leave all those shoots that have a tendency to grow outwards, and remove those growing towards the centres ; the building of good uniform trees commences with the first growths. All regrafted trees need attention in tiro same way.

The appearance and further spread of black spot and mildew on apples and peats should be watched for, anil treated according to the varieties affected (see last month’s notes). Take precaution when using lime-sulphur to see that the pump is clean ; also dilute to exact proportions and avoid splaying in excessive temperatures. Should very hot weather bo experienced uso atomic sulphur, lib. to 10 gallons water, if necessary to spray for mildew under these conditions, in orchards where mildew has been pro. valent the effects will be seen on the tips of the laterals and shoots. The disease is very persistent on these, apd it will be found most advantageous to remove and burn them, thus eliminating risk of further infection fi om t his source.

Do not foiget that eodlin moth will be at work during the month. U.e arsenate of lead with Ihe fungicidal sprays, diluting each mixture separately and then adding together. Though Hlacklear 40 can also be added f;,r woolly aphis it is not desirable. Better results can be achieved tor woolly aphis separately by using B'acl;leaf 40 combined with Jilb. to -fib. of soap to each dO gallons of this spiny. Htrawbony plots should be put into good tilth, and (lie mulch applied bcfuic the it nil begins Loiijan.