PRUNING FRUIT TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 27 (Supplement)

PRUNING FRUIT TREES.

THE PIP VARIETIES. Following the pruning of pouches, nectarines nml most other stono fruits, the next in order to require attention as iliey mafuro and ripen their wood aro apples, pears and other varieties. Tlio ehiel ol>ject in pruning is to endeavour to furnish the tree throughout with fruiting material. With apples, pears, European plums and a few others, their fruiting buds mo invariably formed upon spurs 011 the older branches; so that the pruning

should bo dono with a view to furnishing tiio branches with as many spurs as possible. 'lhis, however, is. best attained when the trees havo been properly treated in their younger stages uf growth, and then not *t>o much by winter pruning as by pinching out, or otherwise, stopping the voting growths during the summer. It is when tho trees are young that a good foundation can bo laid, and by judicious summer stopping fruiting spurs aro induced to form well down on the main branches. Pruning must naturally bo regulated in a great measuro by the variety, ago and concUlion of tho trees to bo* treated. SUCCESSFUL PRUNING. To prim© successfully tho operator should bo able to discern tho dili'erenco between the, fruiting and wood-prodac-ing buds. The fruiting buds aro invariably more round and plump than woodproducing buds. Trees, even of the tamo species, often differ so widely in growl h and fruitfulness that no hard ami fast rule can bo laid down. For instance, those that aro growing in deep, rich alluvial soil, will sometimes contimio to make luxuriant growth, but fail to set satisfactory crops. With such trees root pruning as well as judicious thinning of, and shortening back the leading shoots may bo necessary to bring tho trees into a fruitful condition. In root pruning a trench should be dug out to tho full depth of tho roots nnd at a distance of from two to three feet from the stem, according to the age. and size of tho tree, it is advisable to open out only one half of tho treo tho first season, completing tho other half tho following season. All roots showing on (ho insido of the trench should be cleanly cut back while any tap roots at the bottom of tho trench should be severed the trench then being refilled. TREES IN HEAVY SOIL. Trees, on tho other hand, that arc growing in heavy, retentive soil, usually make stu*'cly, short-jointed growth, so that tho pruning consists in cutting back all weak shoots and shortening back tho leading shoots in proportion to tho. growth made. The samo applies to heavy-cropping kinds. Such, trees raiely mako tho samo amount of growth as do thoso that carry lighter crops. When shortening back the shoots always cut to a bud pointing in the direction in which tho new shoot is required' to grow. Trees sometimes mako very irregular growth so that some strong shoots may need a fair amount cut away, while with others, oven the leading shoots, may need but little pruning. As soon as tho pruning is completed and tho state of the weather will permit, tho cleaning and spraying of the trees should bo proceeded with. All fruit trees that aro infested'with insects, during tho growing season arc sure to

retain numbers in a dormant condition during tlio winter months. Diseases, too, (hough latent, may be kept in check, if not altogether eradicated by persistent and careful dressing. DEALING WITH PARASITES. Whoro spraying and cultivation have been neglected moss and other parasitical growths soon form upon the trunks and branches, providing harbours for destructive insects and diseases, and although numbers fall during tho autumn with tlio Icavos, thoso upon tho trees aro not so easily detached and protect themselves (if left unmolested) until spring,, when tlioy comineneo their ravages afresh. Trees in such condition, or, iri fact, any that have arrived at tho fruiting stage, require to bo thoroughly sprayed with a solution that will effectually destroy all parasitical growth ami leave tlio bark clean and smooth and, at the samo time, be effective in destroying numbers of tho pests The caustic soda alkali solution in most effective. To prepare' 10 gallons of tho above niixtuio dissolvo lib. caustic soda and j;lb. 11 f carbonate of potash in one gallon of water am! stir until dissolved, and add nine gallons of water. Next dissolvo lOoz. of soft soap in a littlo boiling water and add to tho mixture and stir well. Ibis solution requires care in its application, and it is advisable to always protect tho hands and faco when ,sprying. Other excellent emulsions for winter dressing aro limo sulphur solution, red oil and Bordeaux mixture. TO CORRESPONDENTS. C„ Henderson.—Ariurn italicum is tlio niuii'o of tho pin lit that comes up plentifully every year, although you tlit? them up by tho hundred every summer and burn tbem. When they nro in full growth apply a liberal dressing of garden s.tH. It will penetrato to tlio routs and kill them. " Beetle." Takapunn.—Tlio insect found at tho root of your anemones is a species o f wire worm, the larvno of one of tho beetlr... of which there are several species. Ull ground allowed to lio fallow for 11 time a heavy dressing of garden snlt or fresh gas lime will clear tliem cut. but. where crops or plants nro growing soot nun guano scattered freely over the surface before or during lieavv rain is effective. One pail of nitrate of soda to two of common salt urts well Traps for wirewornis, consisting of pieces of carrot, lettuce or other favourite food, nutv be used. These should be buried in it below tho surface and examined daily and tlio wirewornis destroped. Stirring the soil frequently is unfavourable to them.

14 Anxious To Know," Heme Bny.—The climber with numerous bunches of orange flowers now iu full bloom is l>ignoum venuata, a nutivo of Brazil.

G.I' 1 .. HuriUy.—The Now Guinea beans should be sown lulo in the spring, after frosts aro over, in warm sheltered position. It grows from 6ft. to Oft. high.. Plant about fift. apart, training horizontally from main stem against a fenco. Seeds aro saved from tho perfectly-ripo fruits. It is nioro of tho gourd than uean, being lonsc and round and eaten lilto a vege table-mar row. It needs a warmer climato than ours to grow successfully.

A.(x., Kohukohu.—Strange you should havo 110 success in the cultivation of English walnuts, as they delight in a deep, alluvial soil, provided water drains quickly away from tho loots. To combat the fungus that attacks tho fruits, causing the kernels to turn black and useless, spray during the winter with the caustic soda-alkali mixture, full strength. This will thoroughly cleanse tho bark of moss and other parasitic growths and tho eggs and pupao of latent insects. When tho loaves appear ill tho spring, spruy witli solublo sulphur at a strength of 101b. *to 100 gallons of water and at intervals of from tljreo to four weeks after tho fruits have set. This will also apply to fruit trees for brown rot. For peaches and nectarines spray in winter with Bordeaux mixture, 0-4-10 formula, instead of tho caustic preparation.

" Tynesider," Martiiiborough.— Ro codlin moth: Strips of brown paper spread with greaso and wrapped around llio steins and placed in tlio forks of pear nnd apple trees, holding in place with a covering of good scrim. A better system of bandaging, id strips of old soft sacking about 15in. wide, tied tightly around the stein with a stout string in such a manner as to allow tlio upper half of tlio band to bo turned over. The full-grown grubs crawl up the stem and find a suitable place to spin their cocoons. Examine the bandages every week nnd kill tlio grubs and pupuo and replace tlio bandages. Tic the bandages on during tlio iirsfc week in November. Spray with arsenate of lead paste, {oz. to the gallon of water, as soon us tlio potals fall from tlio calyx of tlio young fruit. Deposit the poi?on on tlio fruit, particularly in the calyx, so that the youiiK grubs eat it and dio before they enter the fruit. Adding tienclo or a. little soft coup to tho arsenate makes it more adhesive. Apply with a fmo nozzle a second and third application at different intervals to kill any grubs that aro deposited on tlio growing fruit. Spraying at tho proper time is the. most effective means of controlling tlio codlin moth.

C.8.. Oisborne.—Specimens No. 1 ntlfj 1 arc different forms of the samo species, namely Bnnksin ericifolia, a well-known native of Now Soulll Wales, belonging to tho order protrnccac. It is ft very distinctive shrub not only for tho beauty of its foliuire, but also for tho conspicuous spikes ol yellow (lowers.

N.C.. Kliir Country.-Tho ericn or heath Hint you havo noticcrl growing on each sido of the road on tlie way to Arapuni, at present about completing its season of flowering, is tho variety nanied nrborca, an introduced plant, that increases rapidly. It is very showy when in full flower Rnd has beconio naturalised. Tho seeds are very small and are carried by tho winds or small birds. Lilto tho Scottish heo,tlior. it soon takes possession of largo areas. Tho hyperieum. or St. John' 9 wort, that you have noticed growing wild at the Hutt, Wellington, and also in the Kaipara, is another naturalised shrub that soon becomes a nuisance. It spreads rapidly from tbo numerous berries each plant produces. KEPoa.