LEAFLETS FOR GARDENERS AND FRUITGROWERS, NO. 11.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 6

LEAFLETS FOR GARDENERS AND FRUITGROWERS, NO. 11.

New Zealand Department of Agricult URE. John I). Ritchie, Secretary. SIIOT-lIOLB FUNGUS (]‘h ijllostrida ciicu mcissa) . By T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Ac., London, Government Biologist. The appearance of trees attacked by this disease is, unfortunately, but too well known in this Colony. Apricots and stone fruits are generally liable to suffer from it, and when badly affected the foliage looks as though pierced and torn by innumerable charges of shot from a fowling-piece. Fruit and leaves are both affected, the fruit appearing as though marked with numerous scabs. A full description is not necessary here, tho illustration will answer all practical purposes. Directions for fighting this disease arc given in Leaflet No. 10, of the Fruitgrowers Series. Prune soon after the foliage falls, and spray with Bordeaux mixture before the buds begin to swell, again before the buds begin to break, and, if necessary, a third timo just after the petals fall, but this timo with carbonate of copper solution, but diluted with GO gallons of water instead of 45; then spraying with the armnoniacal carbonate of copper mixture just before the blossom appears, or when the fruit is well set, the spraying to be continued at intervals of twelve or eighteen days, or as long as necessary, using the armnoniacal carbonate of copper mixture, which will not stain tho fruit or injure tho foliage. Tho trees do not require to be drenched with the mixture ; a very fine spray is sufficient. carbonate of copper solution. Procure a tub or barrel, and in this dissolve Gib of copper sulphate or blue-

stone, in four or five gallons of water. In another vessel dissolve 71b of washing or sal-soda, using hot water for the purpose. When the solution is cool, pour it slowly into the vessel containing the coppersulphaco liquid, stir the mixture thoroughly, then allow it to stand for twenty-four hours. Now siphon off the clear liquid, and allow the sediment, which is carbonate of copper, to stand for a day or two, until it becomes pasty. For every 7oz of this paste add three pints of strong ammonia water, or enough to dissolve tho sediment. The liquid thus obtained is concentrated atnmoniacal solution. To prepaie it for spraying it is only necessary to dilute each three pints with 45 gallons of water. BORDEAUX MIXTURE. Take sulphate of copper, 21b ; lime (fresh) 21b ; treacle, 21b ; water, 30 gallons. Dissolve the sulphato of copper in 4 gallons of hot water in a wooden tub ; slack the lime in a gallon of water, and allow it to stand for half an hour or more; I then pour slowly through a strainer into | the copper solution, keeping it well stirred. The solution, after settling a little, should appear blue when looked at through a

depth of 2in or Bin. If it does not liavo lhis appearance add a little more lime. Finally, dissolve tho, treacle in 2 gallons of water, add tho remaining 23 gallons of water, and stir thoroughly. The mixture is now fit for use, The above mixture ecu be made with or without the addition of treacle, tho object of which is to cause it to adhere to the wood and foliage.