ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13926, 7 December 1908, Page 8

ON THE LAND.

THE CODLIN MOTH '"Penako," writing on the codlin moth in the Australasian says:—During the, winter the pest passes its existence in the cocoon, in a larvae state, and as the spring approaches it changes into tho pupal form, from which tho moth ultimately emerges. The moths then mate, and shortly afterwards the females lay their eggs. For this purpose the calyx of the fruit is generally chosen, and in a few days tho, eggs hatch out, and tho young worms commence,their attack upon the fruit. The moth makes its appearance about the time the trees are in blossom, and if the spraying conducted just after the petals have fallen is done effectively, very few. grubs will live to produco further broods. The number of broods produced each season has not been definitely ascertained. This, of course, depends largely upon tho effectiveness of tho spraying and tho suitability of the season. In favourable seasons three and four broods have frequently been roported to have occurred. Young grubs or larvae that aro successful in gaining admission into the applo rapidly grow, and assume a pinkish colour. It-is while in this state that overyono is familiar with tho pest. When the grub has almost finished its feeding, and become fully developed, it prepares to leave tho fruit, and tunnels its way to tho surface, lowering, or in eomo other manner making its way to the ground, or some suitable hiding-place in which to pupate. It is at this time that the bandaging of the trees, provided the bandages aro regularly and systematically inspected, proves of so great value. These should now all be placed in readiness on tho trees, for if left until spraying commences tho stress of work may lead to their being neglected. Many orchardists prefer to uso paper in place of sacking for this purpose. Paper wrappers haw this advantage, they enable birds or fowls to help in the work of destruction. If the grubs are not trapped at this stage more moths will hatch out to continue tho succession of broods. These generally enter the apple either from the calyx or from the sides, clusters of fruit forming a secluded place from which to commence operations. The destruction caused during tho period—about three weeks— when the grubs aro in the fruit, is largely responsible for the number of windfalls. Orchardists who adopt the course of regularly gathering the fallen fruit, and boiiing it for' pig food, thus prevent many grubs from escaping. From the foregoing remarks it will be .evident that the first spraying is of paramount importance. This should be applied immediately after the blossoms fall. At this time the cavity of the calyx ; should be well saturated. Many favour a light, misty application, but as in this operation it is essential that the calyx should be well coated with the poison, a high pressure and thorough soaking is necessary. In later applications the spray may be applied in the form of a light mist, well broken up by the force of the pump, with advantage. This should be followed by another dressing so soon after the calyx lobes close as possible. The following application for the codlin should' be made from two weeks to three weeks from the time that the petals have fallen from the flowers. It is at this time that the eggs first commence to hatch, and by thoroughly spraying all portions of the trees the majority of the grubs will be destroyed. - A similar period should elapse before tho next application is made, after which growers must use their own judgment. If an orchard was planted in an isolated position, three sprayings would probably be sufficient to keep the moth under control. The majority of orchards are not, however, so favourably situated, and while a grower must spray to keep his own broods in check, he is also forced to spray to prevent moths from neighbouring places from pausing damage. Another consideration that must receive attention is the variety of apple to be sprayed. A dessert • apple does not grow' and mature so quickly as does a culinary variety. If the weather is warm, & cooking apple pushes ahead very rapidly under these congenial conditions. Spraying cannot, therefore, after the growth of the fruit has begun in earnest, bo considered as a fortnightly operation. It is here that the orchardist must use discretion. Fruit that has been well covered with spray may have grown # so much in ten days as to render former applications comparatively valueless, while other varieties planted in the same orchard may not require attention until a week later. After the first three applications spraying, to be effective, must not be done at fixed intervals, but at such time as the condition of the fruit and the prevalence of the moth necessitates.

There are many sprays which have proved of great, value, in keening the codlin moth in subjection. Of these the following is well worthy of consideration. It is made as follow? : Boil together. slowly for half an hour, keeping the mixture well stirred, one gallon of water, lib of white arsenic, and 21b of washing soda. This solution should be kept separate. Then dissolve 71b of acetate of load in 2 gallons of warm water. 'When cool, mix the two solutions, and stir well. Bottlo and label. Two quarts of the mixture will suffice for n pump holding from 45 to 50 gallons. The component parts of the first portion of this mixture are identical with the Kedzie formula, which is used extensively in South Australia. If this latter mixture* is preferred, in order to make the second part of the solution; take 81b of fresh, unslaked lime, and after slacking to a powder add eight gallons of water, and thoroughly incorporate the lime . to form milk of lime. When ready to spray take a pint of tho first solution and mix with the milk of lime. , After standing for half an hour, strain the mixture, and make up to 40 gallons. ,

NEW SOUTH WALES TIMBERS. Tho report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquiro into the timber resources of New South Wales has just boon made public. According to its finding, ironbark, tallow wood, red gum, and other useful hard and soft woods are threatened with extinction. Tho total quantity of commercial timber estimated to be at present standing in New South Wales, excluding timber growing on private lands, amounts to 23,116,000,000 superficial feet, consisting of: —Hard woods Ironbark, 1,355,000,000 super, feet j other hardwoods for milling, 8,663,000,000 super, feet; for other purposes, 11,788,000,000 super, feet; a total of 21,811,000000 super, feet. Soft woods: Cedar, 5,000,000 'super, feet; hoop pine, 230,000,000 super, feet; other brushwoods, 150,000,000 super, feet; cypress pine, 920,000.000 super, feet; a total of 1,305,000,000 super, feet. The Commissioners state that at the present rate of consump-. lion tho quantity of hardwood timber suitable for commercial purposes that is estimated to bo at present standing on tho forest reserves and other Crown lands of the State will not last more than about 36 years, and that tho supply of soft woods will bo consumed in a little inoro than 20 years. Amongst other things, the Commissioners recommond that tho present royalties on certain timber should be increased, and that the export of ironbark and tallow wood beyond the Commonwealth should bo prohibited for a period of 10 years. Strong recommendations are also made for the replanting of tho most valuable timbers, and for the protection of timbers at present standing. . " ,

POULTRY BREVITIES. During a spelt of hot days the hens go off, but they ' start again as soon as the cool change comes. A moderate estimate would place the value of eggs annually produced in Ireland at approximately £4,000,000. , •Ducks do not, as a rule, make good sitters or mothers, so that it is generally advisable to employ hens or to use an incubator. Improvement in iho egg-laying strains is to bo got .by careful selection of good laying strains, and byfweeding out unprofitable birds. In small enclosures the drawback is fouled ground, and to obviate this as much as possible the run should be dug over once every two or three weeks.