THE FARM.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13734, 28 May 1913, Page 8

THE FARM.

ORCHARD WORK FOR JUNE.

■■ Mr W. A. Boucher writes in tho "Journal of Agriculture".

Juno may bo regarded as a month during which much important work in tho orchard may be accomplished. Planting. In eomo of the warmer districts of tho. Dominion the- planting of young trees may be carried cut during tho early part of the month, provided tho soil has boen well prepared and is otherwise- in a suitably condition. For tho ixHioiit of those who have not had a great deal of experience in the treatment of moisture-retentive clay lands it may bo as well to to again remind intending planters that if the soil is wot and sold the setting-out of orchardtrees may with advantage bo deferred until spring weather ha fl brought about a. satisfactory condition. In the moan-1 time, trees purchased to order will probably have arrived. These- should be hooled in and allowed to remain until suitable- soil-conditions admit of plant-

Treatment of Nursery Stock for Insoct Pests and Fungus Diseases. Most nurserymen nowadays adopt satisfactory methods of treatment for tho control of insoct pcatg and fungus diseases before the despatch of fruittrees from their nurseries. In such instances purchasers aro saved any further trouble in this respect. But if such treatment has not boon carried out before the trees come to hand, then it will be advisable before heeling in or planting out to take such precautions as may be- required against infection by insect posts or fungus diseases. The simplert and least expensive method of accomplishing tin's is to prepare a cask of the Bordeaux mixture, 10-10-40 formula, and, bundle by bundle, holding tlie roots upwards, dip the branches and stems into the mixture as far as the soil-marks. Later on the trees should also be dipped in the red-oil emulsion, winter strength, in order to destroy the eggs of the red spider, mussel scale etc. If theso necessary precautions are effectively carried out the trees will require littlo or no further attention for the control of ' most orchard pests and diseases during 1 their first season. I Spraying Poaches and Nrrviarinc-s. Many growcrr. aro still content to ; spray their ppncli.es r.v.d nectarine trees. ! once only during tho- dormant seasoi? , with the Bordeaux mixture, 10-10-40 formula. Tlie best iesulis in ecntroll- . ing the fungus dis?nsps that attack , those fruits can only lift attained by ) spraying twice, tho first time in the ~ autumn as soon as possiVe after the loaves have fallen, and tlio sr-cond in the spring when the buds have com- , inenced to swell, r Mealy Br."?;. i Of late years tliir. ';f i:-t has boon i spreading considerably in apple orf chards in several localities. Consequently it becomes necessary to draw the attention of growers to the necessity for adopting such measures as mn.> be required to keep it we 1 under control. No doubt in many instances the fact of its existence in the orchard is unknown to the owner, and for this reason it seems desirable tlu;t all appleorchards should be thoroughly sprayed during tho dormant season with the red-oil emulsion diluted to tho winter strength. Mussel Scalo and Red Spider. Both these pests are 'much more in evidence than they should bo even in districts where spraying' has been regularly carried out each season. It would almost appear as though either an inferior' grade of oil has been used, tho emulsion not prop-Tly made, or has i been diluted to too great a degree. On account of the necessity for keeping mealy bug, mussel scale, and red spidei will under control so that fruit arriving at tho markets may pass unchallenged it would be as well for growers to carefully investigate the reasons for the more or less indifferent results that in many instances 'have followed the applications of spraying-compounds. Cherry-leaf Scorch. As a precaution against attack by this destructive fun.:r««. cherry-trees should be sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture, 10-10-40 formula, as soon as tho leaves have fallen. Strawberry-leaf Spot. Plants that have remained comparatively frce> from the "spot" during warm, dry weather wil! frequently show considerable infection when cold, wet weather has set in. Strawberries should be thoroughly sprayed with tho Bordeaux mixture, 4-^5-50 formula. Pruning. In order to avoid a rush of work lator in tho season, the pruning of tho orchard may be commenced as soon as tho leaves have fallen from the trees, and continued, as tho weather permits, during the months of winter. As disease may be carried from one season to another on the wood that has been removed when 'cutting back/ all prunings as far as possible should be gathered up [ and burned.