WORK IN THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 7 (Supplement)

WORK IN THE ORCHARD.

APPROACH OF BUSY PERIOD.

The season is again at hand when tho most important work in tho orchard consists of strenuously fighting tho various insects and diseases. With tho setting of tho fruits the labours of the orchardist nro at onco increased as tho many pests they havo to combat bofore they can placo sound fruit upon tho table, render it necessary that nothing should bo loft to chauco,

but that every means should bo taken I to prevent damage to either fruit or foliage. Even when winter dressing has been strictly carried out, numbers of injurious insects, ns woll as various forms of fungoid diseases cscapo from the material applied, and in spring emerge again to renew their depredations. Tho season so far has proved anything but favourable for early-flowering stono fruit. Peaches, nectarines, and many "of the Japanese plums, that could scarcely have flowered moro profusely, suffered severely from the fierce winds experienced. Ono peculiarity is that in some instances tho Japanese plums, such as Burbank and Satsuma, suffered moro than peaches. Iho first batch of (towers was battered and blackened by the wind, with but a few fruit setting, and although they developed a good second crop of flowers, theso were similarly damaged by another fierce gale. Later-flowering varieties of trees that are protected from tho full force of the gales may have fared better. l'ip fruits are naturally of n more hardy nalurc and not likely to suffer to tho samo extent as few would bo in flower when tho worst gales wero experienced.

COMBATING THE CODLIN MOTH. In combating the codlin moth spraying 'should bo commenced immediately the fruit is set alid continued at regular intervals until tho fruit has matured. Arsenate of lead,'whon judiciously applied, is a safo and effective remedy, not only for the codlin moth, but for most other insects that prey upon tho fruit and foliago. "lhero is no better romedy for tho destruction of tho leech which plays such havoc with tho foliago of plums, pears, quincos, qherries, and other fruits, while tho beetle, tho developed insect of what is commonly known as tho grass grub, nnd which eats the foliago of fruit and other trees, can also bo destroyed bv tho arsenate of lead solution. The beetle, however, has such a wide rango when on tho wing that it is impossible to attack it in all its haunts. Tt flies at night in thousands, attacking the foliago of tho largest trees as well a? that of shrubs. Tho chief concern of the fruitgrower is to protect bis trees and fruits, and the judicious use of tho arsenate of lead solution ,is the most effee-. tivo means , to this end.

Tho black aphis, which sometimes ntr tacks the young foliages of peaches, plums, and other trees, spraying with a solution of black leaf 40 is an cffectivo remedy. The soil should bo well broken up around all newly-planted trees. Tho ground naturally becomes beaten hard and caked by the heavy rains, and unless broken up cracks open so that tho roots become dry and growth is cheeked. Mulching newly-planted trees where possible is always an advantage. Citrus trees are esneciallv benefited as they soon feel tho effects of dry weather, Small fruits, too, such as gooseberries, currants, etc., ore benefited by mulching at this time, good stable manure being used if practicable.