ORCHARD WORK FOR OCTOBER

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 234, 3 October 1913, Page 6

ORCHARD WORK FOR OCTOBER

{W. A. Boucher;," in the Journal of

Agriculture.)

CULTIVATION

The ; cultivation of orchards that have been plaaited in heavy lands requires careful attention, especially during the early part eof the season. If the^-ploughing be left, too late; —in fact, until the .soil has become dry— this may be found to be almost impossible to pulverise thoroughly. In any such instance the result would perhaps be wome than if no ploughing had been done, for jif a dry season -be experienced the loss of moisture "would possibly be greater fronj ploughed land'that.'will not pulverise than from, the same land left un* ploughed.

FUNGUS DISEASES

Apple scab (Fusicladium dendriticum), pear scab pyrinum), and apple mildew (Podosphaera le-ueotricha). —Spring weather sueli as is frequently experienced in October proves favorable to the- development and rapid spread of most of the fungus diseases that attack fruit and

fruit trees. Measures taken to prevent attack as far as possible are the only ones that are" really satisfactory. It has been poirvted out previously that the same climatic influences that induce the swelling of the buds on orchard trees' also induce the development of the dormant germs of the various fungus diseases that cause much trouble- and sometimes considerable loss to the grower. It is, there .forte', essential that such treatment should be applied. as will severely check the above-mentioned-diseases in an .early stage of development. For this purpose nothing has yet been found that has proved to be quite equal to the Bordeaux mixture—

10-10-40 forimiia; Many other corns potinds have boon tried and discarded, because, being very soluble, ihey were readUy washed from the trees by the -first shower, of rain that fell after the trees'had been sprayed. . With sue!i climatic • conditions a.s are usual in most parts of New Zealand only a compound that will adhere in spite of rainfall can be regarded being Sin jury way satisfactory for the prevention, of attack .by fungus diseases. . • Canker (Nectria ditissima). — A nximber of specimens have been received and inquiries made regarding this disease. In any orchard where it has been found, a careful examina- . tion of the trees should be made from

time to time during the spring, and all affected twigs or limbs removed, care being, taken t i cut back to clean •healthy wood and burji < all diseased cuttings. This method-of treatment, combined with th» systematic use of the Bordeaux .mixture, will prove effective in speedily eradicating this disease from aii orchard.

INSECT PESTS., Mussel Scale and lied Spider,— Reference to these pests is made in order, to point out that effective measures for their control should have been taken earlier, and also to warn growers against using the homeprepared red-oil emulsion or the ready-prepared miscible oils at the winter strength when the buds have commenced to swell. Unfortunately, letters are received from time to time indicating that injury has been caused to trees that have been sprayed either too early in the autumn or too late in the spring. However—but -this will apply more to the domestic than to the commercial grower—if ,hy any mischance spraying Las not yet been carried out for" the control of these pests, the kerosene emulsion applied" when the young insects arc- on the move will* be, found to be an effective remedy. Kerosene Emulsion.—A. spring and early summer remedy for scale insects when on the move, and thrip on citrus and deciduous fruits.—Proportions : Kerosene,' 2 gallons; common soap, Hb.; boiling water, 1 gallon. Preparation: Place the soap in the waiter, which should by-preference-be., rain-water. Hard , water is unsujt-'= able, but if only such is"-to be had, make it soft by adding some soda/ Boil till the soap is thoroughly dissolved ;. then take it off the fire and pour tne solution into 'the kerosene; thoroughly cliurnup by placing both suction and delivery ends .of the spriay pump hose, in the liquid and pumping steacUly for a few minutes. The emulsion should then, if perfect, form a cream which thickens on cooling, without any appearance of free keroeene. For most plant-lice (aphides) and other soft-bodied insects, such as scale insects, when' on' the move, from 12 to 20 parts of water are added to .-one of the omiflsion. I

. Goblin-moth. —.In many districts of this Dominion, the codlin-motlis will lie on the wing before the end of this month, although not in large numbers: Of late years, a vast amount of good work has been done and considerable sums of money spent in reducing the ravages of this • pest. Growers should therefore avoid the "possibility of any increased pei" centage of fruit, being attacked, by the moth. It has come under observation that in some instances, owing to the use of brands of arsenate of lead deficient in insect-killing power, \not only the lame of the codlin-motli but those of other troublesome eatinginsects have escaped destruction in spite of careful spraying. It cannot pay any grower to .purchase an inferior brand of arsenate of load, thus saving a trifle in the cost per lb., only to find later, after the necessary sprayings have been effected at considerable expense for labor, that the lereentage of unmarketable" fruit is unduly high. Spraying for eodlinnioth slioiild commence a>s soon as passible after the petals have fallen. To delay this first spraying is to invite results mo ft: or less unsatisfactory. <»s]K'ci:i-W>s in the ea.si> of many varieties of pears, for, should- the calyx have closed before the first application of the arsenate of lead has fcean made, a considerable loss -of crop will almost certainly ensue. Instead •of using the combined spray for eatijig insects and fungus diseases attacking the apple arid pear, some growers now prefer to apply the arsenate of lead and the Bordeaux ir.'ixture separately. li. is considered that under certain conditions of season a,nd climate the combination of these spraying compounds may result in burning to a greater or lesser degree. .Although the increased cost for the labor required to spray an orchard twice instead of once is considerable, some growers prefer to incur this rather than risk possible Lnrvung to 'fruit and foliage. . Woolly Aphis.—lt is now very agreed tfhat winter spraying ivith the red oil emulsion has a decidedly beneficial effect in decreas- ■ ing the . virulence of the attacks by ] this pest.. Fui'ther, if the winter j spraying be followed by the painting ] of any colonies of aphis that may be j noticed with the reel oil jpirnilsionun- j diluted, young trees especially will"

remain for some considerable time free, or comparatively tree, from the ravages of this most objectionable pest. • • ■

CITRUS FRUITS

Scale insects on: citrus fruits usually hatch out quite irregularly duriug the months of spring . and ■ e&rly summer, so .^that" scale on the move, as well as scale of greater age, will be found often in profusion. In the case of the. black scale; which is common on citrus trees in New Zealand, the protective covering remains soft for some time after the insect is hatched, from the egg, so that the kerosene enjMsion is effective at that stage of existence' as well as against the younger insects. " •

TOMATOES

/This popular article of diet in most localities is subject to attack by both insect' pests and fungus diseases. Spraying with the summer formula of the Bordeaux mixture and arsenate of lead as for codlin-moth will be found effective against these troubles. In spraying with the Bordeaux mixture special care should be taken to coat the under-side of the leaves well. .