THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 20 February 1925, Page 128

THE ORCHARD.

MARKETING OPERATIONS.

During the next two months the harvesting of all mid-season varieties of apples and pears will engage the attention of growers. This usually means a very busy time in picking, grading, and packing. It is to be hoped that every endeavour will be made by those exporting to do all in their power to comply with the regulations, and pack only such fruit as will bring credit upon the fruit in overseas markets. With reference' to fruit intended for the local markets, growers will be well advised when packing not to include anything that is visibly codlin-mothed, and to guard against any stray infested fruits getting in. Every endeavour should be made to eliminate this pest altogether ; if instructions have been carried out codlin-moth should be conspicuous by its absence. Blemishes caused by branch rubs or slight infection of black-spot, when weather conditions have been such as to make spraying at the correct time a difficult matter, ■ sometimes escape the vigilance of packers, but the inclusion of such fruits should be avoided as much as possible. Fruit intended for cool-storage purposes should be allowed to reach that stage of maturity when it will keep best. That period can best be judged from past experience. - It is quite obvious that the fruit should not be fully ripe but yet fully mature. This period varies with different varieties in different localities. SPRAYING. It will ■ still be necessary to continue spraying late varieties of apples and pears with arsenate of lead for codlin-moth and leaf-roller caterpillar. If red spider is in evidence lime-sulphur should be added, - although very little good will result if the measures previously recommended for controlling this pest have not been put into practice. This insect does most of its damage to foliage during December, January, and February, and then deposits its eggs in every sheltered portion of tree buds and the under-sides of branches —in readiness for the following season. Woolly aphis should be kept in check by spraying the trees with Black Leaf 40, 1-800 ; or, where fruit has been gathered, red oil, 1-60, can be used. Spraying for this pest does not consist in merely wetting the trees. It is necessary to use a high-pressure pump in making the application, so as to remove the covering protecting the insects, thus enabling the fluid to make direct contact with their bodies, otherwise spraying is of very little value.

•L. Paynter,

Orchard Instructor, Christchurch.

CITRUS-CULTURE. Where necessary a further application of fungicidal spray bordeaux, 4-4-40 — be applied to all citrus-trees during the coming month. Other work will include the maintenance of thorough cultivation and the harvesting of any remaining fruit. FIREBLIGHT. . There is yet time this season for further infection from fireblight to occur in the form of tip-infection, and strict watch must be kept

in order to identify the same immediately upon appearance. In case of infection, treatment should be carried out as outlined previously in these notes.

J. W. Collard,

Orchard Instructor, Auckland.