MANURIAL TRIALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

MANURIAL TRIALS

WORK OF CAWTHRON INSTITUTE Information bearing on fruit investigations conducted by the Cawthron Institute was given during the course of an orchard demonstration at Annesbrook by members of the staff, reports our Nelson correspondent. Mr. T. Rigg, director of the Institute, referring to mycological investigations, said that Dr. Curtis was preparing for publication a full report of her lecture on fireblight. Her manuscript dealing with fireblight summarised the results of all recent investigations in both the United States and Europe, dealing with this disease. In addition, mycological work on both " black spot and eyerot," in apples was being continued, and fresh information was being gamed. Tests had been made this season in order to ascertain the infective power or black spot strains on different varieties of trees. The results indicated that black spot obtained from one variety of apples had a wide range of infective power over other varieties. Experiments had shown that live fungi could be isolated from apples showing typical eye-rot infection. Ihe percentage of these fungi which included Botyrtis varied m apples obtained from different orchards m the district. In certain cases Botyrtis fungus did not appear to be the major cause of decay in apples affected with eye-rot. DEFINITE INFORMATION Air. Rigg remarked that experiments at Waimea West and Upper Moutere, on a poor phase of the Moutere Hills soil, had in both cases resulted in a finite improvement in tree-growth • and fruit yield. At Waimea West the experiment had been designed to show the effect of a somewhat heavy application of nitrogenous manure, such as ammonium sulphate, compared with a light application, using in both cases, an addition of 41b. superphosphate and lib. of sulphate of potash per tree. On this poor phase of the Moutere Hills soil, the use of 31b. of ammonium sulphate per tree oil the Cox's orange variety bad resulted in i greatly increased growth of tre« and yield of fruit compared with an adjoining block treated with only lib. of ammonium sulphate per tree. Last year the average yield per tree with the 310. application of ammonium sulphate was 172}1b. against 1021b. per tree with the lib. application. On the other hand i cool storage tests made by Mr. Tiller, of the research orchard, Bhowed that the keeping quality of the apjjles manured with the larger quantity of ammonium sulphate, was inferior to that of the apples which received the light application. Manurial experiments on Jonathans at Upper Moutere, which have been in j progress for 12 years, had shown that, in so far as growth of tree and yield of fruit are concerned, a complete manure supplying superphosphate (41b.) sulphate of potash (lib.) and ammonium sulphate (31b.) per tree, had given the best result. ENTOMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS Dr. D. Miller said that in addition to investigations into the use of insecticides as a check upon pests, the establishment of parasites was being carried out at the institute. Against the codlinmoth, two species or parasites were being utilised—one from England, and the other from the United States. Both laid their eggs among those of the codlin-moth. Leaf-rollers were already attacked by a number of parasites and an attempt was being; made to secure for establishment in New Zealand other and more effective natural enemies. An important issue had developed from the researches on:the apple leafliopper. It had been found that 80 per cent of the over-wintering eggs of this pest were at present being destroyed by a minute parasite. Arrangements had been made for another parasite to be imported for the purpose of attacking the hopper, and winged stages that constitute the 20 per cent which escape destruction in the egg stage. From California, a very effective parasite of mealy-bugs has been secured, and is being reared. No effective natural enemy of the bronze-beetle." added Mr. Miller, had yet been located. USEFUL HINTS "DON'TS" FOR THE AMATEUR Don't plant seeds too deeply. Seedsmen often get the blame for selling poor seeds, whereas deep planting very often is the cause. A good rule to follow is to plant at the seed's own depth. In sowing fine seeds, mix with sand before spreading. Don't plant trees or shrubs in positions where room is not available for their proper development, or kinds which, by their root nystem, will be a menace to small-plantis being grown for bloom. Don't prune shrubs at the wrong time. .In pruning branches don't leave pieces sticking out from the stem; cut them flush, thus assisting the bark to grow over the wound. Don't have anything to do with plants that, have been confined in pots •until the root system has become cramped and deformed. Don't overcrowd plants; give each subject room for development and furnishing. • i . Don't burn fallen leaves; if pitted they will furnish leaf mould—one of the gardener's valuable materials. Don't use wire netting for training permanent creepers, as the stems get cut as the growth expands. Beside retarding the .poorer flow of sap, it makes pruning difficult. Don't use dry soil during potting operations, for in that condition it is difficult for moisture to penetrate more than a little below the surface. Don't over-pot or over-water plants. Palms for hou'se decoration should be grown in small pots. Don't negTect plants, for then pests, in the shape of fungus and insects, attack them. TO CORRESPONDENTS K.S. (Opotiki).—The variety of plum is Abundance. "Inquirer'' (Dominion Road).—The peach specimen is Mamie Ross. P.C. (Whangarei).—The fruit is the Japanese wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius). H.H. (Hikurangi).—-The native shrub is kumarahau (Pomaderris elliptica). It has some vnlue medicinally among Maoris. The other plant is Verbena crinoides. It becomes a weed in places, but not to any exeat extent. " Disappointed.' Both Phlox Drummondii and sinnias revel in bright sunshine, and_ the cause ot failure is no doubt due to the dull, cold conditions experienced this summer. Your trouble is not an isolated one. and with the advent of summer conditions better results will be obtained. " Aster" (Claudelonds).—The aster is affected with collar-rot, to which asters unfortunately ars very subject. Watering the plants with a solution of Cheshunt compound will check the disease, and it is advisable to pour a littls in each hole when planting asters, as the spores rtmain in the soil. E.M.B. (Tauranga).—The oxalis weed is almost impossible to eradicate once it has taken possession of a garden. If the land doeß not contain any other plants, sodium chlorate will check it. The difficulty is to kill the weed without destroying all other plants as well. Trenching the ground 2ft. deep and burying every particle of the top soil will reduce the quantity of the weed. C.A.M. (New Lynn).—The bulbs are infected with the fungi Fusarium bulbegenutn. If the bulbs become heated while damn, fungal decay sets in very quickly. The Spanish iris should be taken up each year, thoroughly dried and stored in a cool, dry place until needed for planting. The Spanish iris likes a light sandy soil, and watering with liquid cow manure when the flower buds are showinsr will satisfy requirement*. Kjbpoii.