WORK FOR THE COMING MONTH.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 20 July 1916, Page 65

WORK FOR THE COMING MONTH.

THE ORCHARD.

J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Director, Horticulture Division

Practically the earliest signs of life in the fruit-tree after its winter rest appear with the month of August. 1 The swelling of the buds heralds the approach of spring, and before the month expires the profusion of pink and white blossom of the peach, nectarine, and plum will have changed the orchard from its barren winter state to a thing of beauty. But the beauty of the scene is apt to appeal more strongly to the orchardist who has his work well in hand than it will to the man who has more or less back work to make up. To . the orchardist in this position the blossoming season is more a source of worry than admiration, as he well knows that in a comparatively short time the full burst of spring will be at hand. This stage not only means that important work must be immediately ' attended to, but it precludes all possibility of satisfactorily carrying out incompleted work of the dormant season.

Apart from work unduly carried over, that normally required in an established orchard for the • month is not heavy. It is too early, and the soil is too wet in most instances for spring ploughing. Pruning and winter spraying has already been completed, with the exception possibly of finishing’ off the pruning of pip-fruits. This and the application of the late winter fungoid sprays in respect to stone-fruits, and the second oil application for the control of woolly aphis in cases where this plan is being adopted, should comprise the main work for ' the month. At the same time there will be many instances where much additional work is required to be done. Where necessary, all forms of dormant - season work can still be carried on. These include pruning generally, spraying for the control of the various suckinginsects and fungoid. diseases, the selection and preservation of scions for grafting, &c. With regard to the planting of fruittrees, shelter-belts, &c., August is, of course, in respect to many districts, about the best time the work can be undertaken.

PRUNING

With regard to pruning, I wish to again point out the great importance of this work in relation to the future welfare of the tree and the fruit crop, more particularly in respect to. young trees and those which have reached maturity and are languishing through overbearing or other causes. Other conditions, such as shelter, cultivation, moisture, &c., being satisfactory, many of the disabilities of the growth of a tree can be overcome by judicious pruning. Hard winter pruning encourages strong wood growth. This state is . required in the formation of a young tree ; therefore do not be afraid of . cutting a young tree back hard or of removing wrongly placed branches, as the vigour of the tree will very soon replace those removed by others, which, if the work is properly done, will be more' satisfactorily placed. Shape and vigour is required in a young tree. When this is secured the possibilities of building up a tree worth having ’ are greatly increased, while the subsequent pruning problems are considerably lessened.

With the mature tree stunted through overbearing, underpruning, &c., the same principle of hard pruning applies. The leaders should be cut back, if necessary into the older wood. In the latter case select, where possible, a vertical lateral of the previous season's growth to form the leader; reduce the number of fruit-spurs in order to lighten the crop, and thereby provide additional sap for the formation of wood. By this means the vigour of the tree will be renewed and an all-round improvement in the crop will be effected.

SPRAYING.

Sucking-insects.

Mussel scale: Pip-fruitsemulsified oil, 1 in 12 ; stone-fruits —emulsified oil, 1 in 15.•

San Jose and other scales: Pip and stone fruits —emulsified oil, 1 in 15 ; citrus fruits —emulsified oil, 1 in 20 to 1 in 25.

Red mite and mealy bug -Pip-fruits, 1 in 12 to 1 in 15.; stone-fruits, 1 in. 15 to 1 in 17.

Woolly aphis : Emulsified oil, 1 in 12, if for one application only, or 1 in 15 in the event of a previous oil - spraying having been given.

Peach-aphis : Emulsified oil, i in 15 to 1 in 17.

Fungoid Diseases.

Black-spot, apple and pear: This is not considered to be the most suitable month for undertaking preventive measures in regard to black-spot other than the application of bluestone solution, which may be applied either in July or early in August. For this purpose the strength of the solution ; used should be in the

ratio of I lb. bluestone to 12 or 15 gallons water. Bluestone solution is rather soluble, and is easily - washed off by rain. To guard against this the oil spray, if oil is being used, should be applied within a day or two of the bluestone application. While on the subject of black-spot it may be as well to mention that this disease is more particularly destructive during damp, misty weather, which often prevails in the spring and early summer. Where such conditions obtain extreme care is necessary in spraying operations. to prevent an outbreak of the disease without at the same time damaging the fruit or foliage of the. tree. Whether such conditions are to be experienced, however, cannot be judged until after the fruit and. foliage have developed to that stage when the application of a strong spray would be dangerous. Therefore preventive measures in the . form of a stronger spray applied earlier in the . season . are' necessary. Undoubtedly the most favourable time for this work to be done is just after the buds burst and show colour, or as the most advanced come into full bloom. This state can', be looked for during the months of September and October. The mixtures recommended for this spraying are Bordeaux mixture or lime-sulphur at the following strengths: Pear: Bordeaux, 6-4-40 ; lime-sulphur, 1 in 15. Apple Bordeaux, 6-4-50; lime-sulphur, 1 in 25 to , 1 in 30.