In the Orchard and Vineyard

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 2, 15 August 1941, Page 147

In the Orchard and Vineyard

Orchard ’Notes

Spring Work in the Orchard

PRUNING operations in the orchard, 1 if not completed, should be pushed ahead as speedily as possible in order that attention can be given to seasonal spraying operations. The gathering up and burning of all prunings not only clears the' land ready for spring operations, but is a factor in the control of diseases. Success in fruit-growing is obtainable only by strict, attention to all details which will result in an increase in the production of best quality fruit on an economic basis and a reduction in production costs consistent with the production of that quality fruit. Proper pruning plays an important part, for not only will better crops of high quality fruit be produced, but the cost of maintenance of the orchard during the balance of the year will be considerably reduced. Although the. orchardist may feel that he cannot afford, in these times, to carry out all the known necessary operations, it will be found that the little extra expenditure involved is actually an asset rather than a liability. He should carefully consider such questions as the production of high quality fruit, an adequate spray schedule, proper methods of . cultivation, suitable fertilisers, and adequate drainage.

Production Per Tree

Production per tree is important, and anything the orchardist can do to increase production is one step towards success, but the fruit produced must be of high quality. Generally speaking, the cost of production decreases as the production per tree increases. Therefore, any extra attention will result in added return to the producer.

Spray Schedules

The eradication of the numerous pests and diseases in the orchard demands constant attention throughout the season. Any relaxation may prove costly not only in the production of high quality fruit, but in the extra cost in the grading and packing of such fruit. Spraying equipment should be in good order when starting operations, and attention should be paid to machinery, hose, nozzles, and all accessor-

ies. Because spraying is not the most pleasant of occupations, thoroughness is often sacrificed for speed, but it is a waste of time, material, and money to spray a tree and leave parts untouched, as they then act as breeding places for pests and diseases. Disease control depends not only on the strength of spray applied, but also on the complete coverage of all parts of the tree. Consequently, thoroughness of application cannot be stressed too strongly. The times of application for the different sprays are obtainable from the Orchard Instructor for the district, and should be adhered to as closely as possible. One spray missed during the spring, or not applied at the proper time, cannot be remedied throughout the season.

Pests Encountered

The pests and diseases mostly concerned at this time are scale insects, principally San Jose, red mite, blackspot, and leaf-curl. For San Jose, a thorough application of red oil at the strength of 1 in 20 is recommended.

Care should be taken to see that there is no movement in the buds, otherwise damage might occur. Every effort should be made to control this pest, and complete coverage is essential. Eggs of red mite, usually found in clusters round the bases of fruit spurs and joints of branches, will be destroyed by the application of a strong solution of red oil during the dormant period, thus reducing the chances of infection during the early part of the growing season, when all the energy of the young foliage is required in the production of high quality fruit. The question of the use of Bordeaux mixture or lime sulphur as a base or foundation spray for the control of fungus diseases exercises the mind of growers, but much depends on the particular disease they wish to control. Although lime sulphur has been claimed to be the best spray for powdery mildew, there appears to be no great evidence to support that view, for good results have been obtained by the use of Bordeaux mixture, and, as it is recognised as the better fungicide, due consideration should be given to it as a

base or foundation spray. Slight exceptions ’ might be made in the 1 case of varieties known to be susceptible to spray injury, but, if applied at the . correct time and possibly a little nearer' the delayed dormant stage than the green tip stage, no damage should result. As Bordeaux mixture is known to cause russet if applied later than the green tip stage, . subsequent applications should be of lime-sulphur. For the control of peach leaf-curl, Bordeaux mixture at strength 5/4/50 should be applied just as the buds begin to swell and before any leaves are exposed; otherwise damage might occur. If . done thoroughly at this stage, no trouble should be experienced for the balance of the season.

Cultivation and Manuring

Cultivation should begin as soon as weather' conditions are favourable and the soil is reasonably dry, the object being to reduce the soil to the tilth necessary for the conservation of moisture throughout, the growing season.

Any attempt ' to cultivate" when the soil is too wet will defeat this object and the trees will suffer. • Green crops should be ploughed in as soon as possible so that the trees may obtain any benefits from these crops as soon as they start growth in the spring. By good cultivation the land will be thoroughly aerated, soil fertility improved, moisture conserved, and favourable conditions created which will assist the trees in the production of high quality fruit. ' : ■ |t/ Quantities of plant, feed are withdrawn from the soil every year .by fruit trees, and unless this depletion is replaced by the application of manures and . fertilisers the trees must eventually; suffer in both growth, and bearing capacity. No set manurial programme can be recommended for the whole of . the Dominion, as much depends on the different class and nature of soils in the different districts, but generally speaking, a complete - fertiliser containing . the . three three elements most necessary—nitrogen,' phosphoric acid, and potash—will be found the most beneficial for

both growth and production. The absence of any one of the essential plant foods is usually noticeable in the tree itself; As an example, fruit trees lacking in growth, with small foliage and premature dropping of foliage, points to a deficiency in nitrogen, while lack of colour, scorching of foliage, and weakened but production is usually associated with an insufficient supply of potash. , ; - With the shortage of inorganic fertilisers, attention should be given to the organic fertilisers available. Blood and bone is : a safe and reliable fertiliser, containing both nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and the addition of any potash available will provide a complete manure of much value. The addition of any green crops or decaying vegetable matter .. will provide humus and assist the micro-organisms in their work, as well as improving the texture of the soil and ; increasing its capacity for heat and the conservation of moisture.

-G. STRATFORD,

District

Supervisor, Dunedin.