IN THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

IN THE ORCHARD.

COMBATING FRUIT PESTS. Tho timo has again arrived when every means will havo to be taken to keep the various orchard pests under control. To grow and maturo sound fruit, whether in large or small quantities, judicious spraying, almost throughout the whole growing season, has become a necessity. Many varieties of apples and other pip fruits aro already sufficiently advanced

to allow of the first dressing being applied, for, although tho season so far may not have been too congenial for tho activity of the codlin moth, it is safer to tako timely measures to destroy as many as possible of the first brood.

Growers of commercial fruits need littlo advice upon these matters, as they are fully alive to the advantages of spraying. It is the small orchardists and amateur growers, whoso trees are subject to inspection at any time, who may be held responsible for any neglect to spray or take reasonable measures to keep orchard pests under control. .Where only a limited number of trees are grown, it is by no means a difficult task to spray, as tho material necessary with full directions how to apply it is obtainable from any seedsman. To be effective, however, spraying requires to be done at reasonable intervals from the time of tho setting of the fruits until they are fully developed, tho spraying being regulated by tho conditions prevailing. In showery weather, for instance, more frequent applications are necessary than in fine, dry weather. At this time, too, the brown beetle is active. This is the fully-developed insect, of what is commonly known as the grass grub, that in the flying stage attacks the young, tender foliage of plums and other trees. Arsenate of lead solution, which is effective, for tho destruction of codlin moth, is equally effective for this and other loaf and fruit-eating pests.

Of leaf-eating insects, however, the leech, sometimes called pear slug, is undoubtedly one of tho most destructive, and is responsible for many of tho failures of plum and other fruits. These usually commence their ravages as soon as dry weather sets in. Tho eggs are deposited by the fly upon tho leaves of plums, pears, quince, cherries, and similar trees, a number of eggs being often laid on one leaf. These hatch out in a few days, and at once commence to feed upon the foliage. It takes about three weeks for thoso to attain their full growth, and by that time, if not destroyed', they have bo eaten the slcin of the "leaves as to leave thom practically skeletons, and all growth severely checked. Tho effect of this often causes tho trees to break into late autumn growth, developing flowers that should remain latent until the spring. _ Fortunately, tho arsenate of lead solution is effective for the destruction of this, as well as most other leaf-eating pests, there is littlo risk in its application if the directions supplied wth the materal are followed.