NORTIOULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 10

NORTIOULTURAL NOTES.

Py J. Gebbie.

In a late number of tho Garden I noticed an account of a number of experiments carried out at ihe Duke of Bedford's experimental fruit farm, Woburn. A few particulars, concerning the most important of them jnsy interest readers of this column. Every possible precaution was taken to cara-v* out the experiments on strictly scientific and practical lines, and with a due regard to the reliability c-f the results obtained. It is well known grass growing over the root*, of fruit trees is detrimental to their wellbeing, and elaborate experiments at Woburn fully confirm this. Even where trees were well established before- the grass was allowed to grow, the ill effects were plainly visible, and records kept show that the fruit crop was considerably reduced. Where the root** of the treos were grassed over immediately after planting, or before the trees had become established, the ill effects were even more pronounced. It is not known exactly how the gra«i harms the rrec*. but it has been conclusively proved that it is not by the exclusion of air nor the extraction of food or moisture. Manming experiments carried en during the pa-»t 14 year* ha\e been rewarded with remarkable result?. Apples, for instance, of similar \arietie*, of the same age. and gi\en similar treatment, except as regards, manuring, proved that the manure applied -during the past 14- years has done no appreciable good. _ In each instance a normal plot i^ retained, and this has artificial manure equivalent to 12 tons of animal manure to the acre annually. Other plots are gi\on auificial manures equivalent to an amount of nianuie under or ovei thin quantity, an<l others again are given natural manure over or under 12 tons per acre. Other plot* had no manure at all. The records kept for 14 year* past show that none of the plots during that time have varied more than 2 per cent, or 3 per cent, in their crops. On a light sandy soil elsewhere similar experiments have proved that a normal dressing of manure was beneficial. 'Joo-seberries gave quite different results. Some bu&bes planted 14- years ago have been the subjects of experiments, in manuring; ever fince. Some have had no manure, and they have practically died out: others have had 12 ton* of manure to the acie each year, and other 30 ton-, to the acre. The amount of fruit in the last two instances lias not varied much, but where the 30 tons per acre were used the bur-h^s have made much more wocd. Artificial manures used at. rates equivalent to those of the natural manures have given \err little better results than no manure at all, the bushes having almost died cut. In the cas3 of strawberries, artificial antl animal manures have gnen equally good results. Pruning experiments have proved that in the ca.?e of newly-planted trees it was be^t to cut them back before the bud? bur-it. Those that wore not pruned until a jear after planting had only produced half the crop o\er a certain number of ■vcare, as compared with these pruned the first winter alter planting. Some tiee^ planted 10 years ago ha\o ne\er been pruned since. Others weie pruned af planting time, and ha\e not been touched agairij some have been lightly pruned an-

nua!l3% and some cut severely every year. The trees that have had the least cutting have given the best and heaviest crops. The growth of those not pruned is too dense, and, in the case of some varieties, rather straggling. Planting has long been regarded as an operation that needs a considerable amount of care if good results are expected, yet the experiments at Woburn are in opposition to this. All sorts of planting have been tried, and the best results have attended what is considered a bad method. Small holes just large enough to hold the roots were made, and, after inserting the roots, the soil wa» rammed hard around and over them. Trees planted thus have given better results than those planted in orthodox fashion, although for the- fir3t six months after planting growth was not so rapid. The growth of these trees has averaged nearly 50 per cent, more than those planted in the usual way. Those responsible for the carrying out of these experiments do not advocate the general adoption of all the methods that have given good results, because on ■different soils and in different localities the results might not be nearly so satisfactory.

GIANT FUNGUS.

In last week's issue of the Witness mention is made of a gigantic fungus_ measuring over 6ft in diameter, and its other dimensions in proportion. This giant puffball (Lycoperdon giganteum, or, as it <s now usually referred to, L. Bovista), belongs to a large and widely -diffused genus. This giant 'species found In New Zealand is also to be found in Europe, and giant specimens are sometimes met with. An example is on record of a diameter of sft 4in one way and 4ft 6in the other, with a height of 9£in. Individual examples often attain a very large 'size. A common diameter is I2in to 18in, with a weight up to 201b. These giant fungi belong to the edible class, and in a young state are sliced and cooked, and fungus enthusiasts eat and approve of them.

IRISES LOSING THEIR FOLIAGE

A grower wishes to know the cause of his irises losing foliage. Both Spanish and English iris are bulbous-rooted, and quickly lose their leaves after flowering. Tho Spanish are not such robust growers as the English, and it is not unusual to see the foliage turn yellow and dry up before the blooms fade, especially in a dry situation. It ie possible your bulbs have ripened earlier on account of being planted late. Irises should only be transplanted when dormant. No 'hardy border flowers are more showy or have a more pleasing appearance than the iris family. The Spanish and English are the most popular, and during November and December are among the most ornamental occupants of the herbaceous border. The English iris is of strong growth, and will thrive in any situation. The Spanish is earlier in blooming, but smaller than the English iris, and requiring the same treatment. The nulbs may be planted from February till June.