THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 1, 20 July 1923, Page 55

THE ORCHARD.

EARLY SPRING WORK.

The stone-fruit trees will commence to make new growth early in August, and the pip-fruits at the beginning of September ; the respective prunings, generally, should be completed before those dates. This operation affords an excellent opportunity for the close inspection of individual trees. Full advantage should be taken of this opportunity to mark trees specially infected with disease, to carefully pull any suckers growing from the roots, to treat any large branches that are broken or sprung, and to trim wounds made by implements and give them a dressing of tar. . Just before the buds of the stone-fruit trees start to swell an application of bordeaux, 8-6-40, should be made for the prevention of leaf-curl, brown-rot, and shot-hole fungus—all serious diseases to which these trees are prone. Trees of this kind suffering from scale or aphis parasites should be further sprayed with red oil, 1-20, before bud-movement. Further spraying of orchard-trees can then be deferred until September. There is only one way of mixing bordeaux spray effectively, and that is to dissolve and fully dilute each ingredient before mixing. It is a little troublesome to place diluting-tubs on hand in a suitable position, but once this is done the correct method is as quick as any other way. Considering the amount of spraying to be done, growers accustomed to fill their spray-tanks through small taps or by bucketing water out of creeks or dams are strongly recommended, on the score of economy, to adopt better methods as soon as possible. Elevated water-tanks with a 2 in. faucet form the best method of supply, but where water has to be picked up from dams or creeks a good horizontal hand-pump should be used. The orchard should be ploughed now as soon as it is sufficiently dry ; make a clean neat job, turning the land over close up to .the trees and carrying the ploughing as near the fences as it is possible to get. . ■ i • . An important factor in successful modern .horticulture is the proper use of manures. Varieties of orchard-trees such as are grown in this country, selected for early maturing and heavy cropping, cannot maintain these characteristics without generous manuring. Neglect in .this respect means a debilitated tree, susceptible to disease and easily burnt by sprays. A very satisfactory treatment has been to harrow in a dressing of superphosphate and sulphate of potash after the first ploughing, followed by a dressing of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia as the trees come into blossom ; but, of course, each orchard must be studied separately if successful' manuring is to be accomplished. Locality, pervious treatment, and kinds and varieties of trees are some of the points which have to be taken into consideration. Strong-growing Winter Cole pear-trees obviously do not want the forcing of nitrates as do rather stunted Sturmer appletrees. If in doubt the local Orchard Instructor may be consulted in this matter. Trees that are well conditioned by proper, feeding with manures are more resistant to disease, and will stand stronger sprays and bear fruit of superior quality. Any planting contemplated is best finished during this month. Hares and rabbits are usually troublesome at this season of the year, especially among young trees they do not confine themselves to these, however, in a hard, season. Almost any spray applied to the butts and lower branches renders these. distasteful, and is an effective deterrent. ' . . . ■ U Keep a close watch on fruit in store, and note developments. The last of the earlier varieties should be cleared during this month. . . . ■ . :'.c ’

—W. C. Hyde,

Orchard, Instructor, ’-Nelson.

FIREBLIGHT.

Now that the, pruning season is at hand all growers of pip-fruit trees in any part of the Dominion, whether they are resident in an area in which fireblight is known to exist or not, are warned to keep a sharp lookout while engaged in pruning operations for any suspicious cankers on apple, pear, or quince trees. Past experience- of the hold-over canker of this disease goes to show that delay in removing any parts which may appear suspicious is extremely dangerous. Even if a canker attacking a pip-fruit tree should be proved not to be a fireblight holdover canker it would undoubtedly be better removed and immediately burnt.

When the canker has been removed, cut well below the bark or cambium discoloration and thoroughly sterilize the wound by swabbing with the formalin solution mentioned below, or a mixture consisting of i part corrosive sublimate to 1,000 parts of water—that is, one tabloid to i pint of. water. Apply with a small brush. The latter, is a deadly poisonous compound, and every care should be taken in its use. After sterilizing the wound should be painted with a mixture of creosote and tar. ■

When engaged in the work of removing suspicious cankers from' fruit-trees all knives, secateurs, &c., used in the operation should be sterilized after each cut by immersion in a solution of i part formalin diluted with 20 parts of water. Growers in any part of the Dominion are reminded that it is as well to keep a sharp lookout for fireblight-infected hawthorn in any hedges adjacent to their property, and if any doubt exists as to. the actual infection of any part or parts of a hedge the advice of the local Orchard Instructor should be sought.

— J. W. Collard,

Orchard Instructor, Auckland.