THE ORCHARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

THE ORCHARD

In the orchard we have now reached a period in the growing of apples when it is essential to spray them to protect them from the codlin moth. This pest is on the wing at present and it is at this stage that it deposits its eggs on the apple and pear trees, especially the apples. As soon as the egg hatches the grub begins to cat the foliage and before long locates the fruit and eats itself into one. The result is that the fruit is spoiled and often drops eff the tree before it is developed fully. Once the moth is in the fruit there are very few uses for which it.is any good. The object of spraying is to cover the fruit and foliage, especially the fruit with a coating of arsenate of lead. This is poison and will kill any insect that eats any of it on the fruit or fobage. Hence the effort, in spraying is to cover all fruit and foliage well with this spray.

As continuous rains will to some extent wash it off it is usually applied when the fruit is about as large as a pea and again ten days later and then again 12 or J 4 days later. Three times each spring is enough where spraying is done regularly year after year; but where spraying has not been done before an extra spraying or two would be all to the good. There is another foe that attacks apples and pears, especially pears, and that is the “Black Spot.” This may be kept in check by mixing some lime sulphur with the arsenate of lead when spraying for the moth. It is no extra trouble as the one spraying does for the two purposes. Both these mixtures may be bought from all- seedsmen with full directions for use.

Plums and pears, more especially the latter, are sometimes attacked by the leach at this time of the year. A spraying of arsenate of lead will soon right this trouble. Cherry foliage also is also attacked by this troublesome slug and should be treated in the same way.

The usual routine work should continue in the orchard. Soil should be kept worked, especially in heavy land and all weeds should be kept down by the most efficient means available.