THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ORCHARD.

ESSENTIAL WORK EXPLAINED Every advantage should be taken of the favourable change in the weather to hasten forward with "the work of this department. The soil is now sufficiently dry to work and no time should bo lost in having it thoroughly broken up, so that a nice loose surface is obtained. This is especially necessary after a long rainy season, when the surface has become hard and baked.

With young, newly-planted trees particularly, tho breaking up of tho soil is most essential. In many cases the trees aro planted when tho soil is filled with moisture and the trees made firm by treading so that tho loosening up of tho soil is the more necessary before dry weather sets in. , Mulching is, of course, the most effective means of retaining moisture during tho dry spring and summer months. This, however, is not always practicable, especially whero a largo number of trees have been planted, so that the next best thing is in keeping the surface well worked and loose; With fruit-bearing trees, too, the ground should bo well broken up, and should receivo an application of some good stimulating manure as far as tho roots extend. FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS. Present conditions aro favourable for the setting of the fruit of trees that aro at present in' flower. Even many of tho earliest-flowering peaches that were in blossom when the recent heavy rales were experienced, have developed another supply of (lowers, so that reasonably good crops may yet bo produced. Ibis is especially rioticcablo with Burbank Satsuma and other Japanese plums. Trees that wore in full (lower when tho fierce gales and hailstorms raged and had almost every flower destroyed, are again furnished with the utmost profusion of blossoms. This is a peculiarity of many of the Japanese plums. They appear to have in reserve an abundance of latont buds that at onco develop if tho first flowers aro destroyed. Apples and pears, though later than stono fruits in developing their flovvers, certainly show an abundance of fruiting buds. Pip fruits, in any caso, are moro hardy and aro not so easily affected by advorso weather conditions. Tho trees should bo given every assistance to enable them to carry and maturo tlieir crops. As soon as tho fruit is set, measures will havo to bo taken to combat the codhn moth and other destructive pests. I'ho materials, at any rate, should be obtained, so that everything will bo in readiness for spraying when this opera tion becomes necessary. For codlin moth and other leaf and fruit-eating insects, arsenate of lead, applied according to the direction supplied with tho material, is an effective remedy. ATTENTION TO PIP FRUITS. With such fruits as apples, pears, and other pip fruits, the first dressing should bo applied as soon "as the fruit is well set; that is, almost immediately after the blossoms have fallen. At this timo the fruit is generally in an upright position, and, if carefully sprayed, is almost certain to catch a portion of tho liquid in tho eyo, where the eggs of tho moth are invariably deposited.

Small fruits, such as gooseberries, currants, or, in fact, any surface-rooting plants, aro especially benefited by being mulched at this time. It is, in fact, tho surest moans of obtaining a good crop, as it not only assists tho plants to develop their flowers and fruits, but obviates the necessity of hoeing and digging, and thus disturbing the roots during tho flowering and fruiting season. Poor stablo manure, if obtained, is naturally tho best as it contains many manural properties that the plants require. Failing this, grass or other vegetable refuse may bo applied.