Dec. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 1041 



sprayings are both beneficial and necessary. The grower should not neglect 

 to either fumigate or spray all citrus trees so as to ensure clean fiuit an<l 

 healthy trees, but do not treat trees that are weak and out of condition, else 

 they may be damaged. 



Complaints have been made by a few orchardists, of tin; burning of tlie 

 foliage, after spraying with arsenate of lead. As there are several brands on 

 the market, it would be well for orchardists to apply the spray to a section 

 of a tree of the different varieties in the orchard, as Viy making such tests 

 one is enabled to ascertain if the mixture is too strong ; and, if so, the 

 quantity of arsenate of lead may be reduced, so that no scorching or damage 

 to either leaves or fruit will occur. Some varieties are more tender than 

 others, and by carrying out experiments as described above, the grower will 

 know to reduce the strength of the arsenate of lead when spraying such 

 varieties. The first spraying to be given just as the petals are falling, should 

 be the strongest application, while for subsequent sprayings, the (juantity of 

 arsenate of lead may be reduced to H lb. to 50 gallons of water, and it may 

 be found that for some brands of arsenate of lead, 2 lb. to 50 gallons will be 

 quite strong enough for the first application. 



By testing the spray on a few trees before proceeding to treat the orchard, 

 the possibility of damaging foliage or fruit may be avoided. 



Codling Moth. — Keep a strict watch over bandages on the apple, pear 

 and quince trees, and see that all fruit is picked up and destroyed either by 

 feeding it to stock inunediately, or boiling or burning it : but not by burying 

 it, as a few of our careless growers have tried to do. It is to the interest of 

 every grower to see that every grub is destroyed before it can fly. The man 

 who buries his fruit is only breeding moths for himself and his neighbours, 

 and therefore it is hoped that in the interests of the fruit industry, any 

 growers found resorting to this means of disposing of their fruit, will be 

 reported to the Inspectors and made an example of. We hope that growers 

 will assist the Inspectors in every way possible, and where they know of those 

 who are trying to evade the Act, they will report them. 



Fruit Fly. — As soon as this pest makes its appearance set kerosene traps 

 around the trees or hang them in the trees. These traps are tins about 

 5 or 6 inches square, 2 inches deep, with a half inch of kerosene in the bottom. 

 Pick up and boil or burn all fallen and infested fruit every day. 



Pineapples. — In tropical districts pineapples may be planted if moist weather 

 prevails. Suckers are the best to plant, being much the strongest and earliest 

 to arrive at maturity. Being great feeders, a dressing of strong nitrogenous 

 fertiliser will promote rapid growth and fine fruit. While the plants are 

 young, cultivation must be thorough but not deep enough to cut th^ feeding 

 roots, which are near the surface. 



Bananas and other tropical fruits may also be planted during the rainy 

 season. 



The dry weather on the coast is still the cause of great anxiety to most of 

 oui" growers, and in many cases the prospects for the comiiig season's citi'us 

 crops are anything but promising. 



