May 3, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. 373 



Orchard Notes* 



May. 



W. J. ALLEN and S. A. HOGG. 



Tf the land intended for planting this season is not already ploughed and 

 siibsoiled, the work should be done at once, so that the planting of deciduous 

 trees may be completed during the month of June. The roots of young 

 deciduous trees, if examined; will be found to be making growth during June 

 and July, and if planting is carried out early in the winter tins root growth 

 enables the trees to obtain a good hold of the soil, and they make a strong 

 top growth right from the time they commence to grow in the spring. 



The selection of varieties to be planted should be made at once, and the 

 order placed with the nui'sery without delay, if that has not already been 

 done. In selecting, ascertain which varieties sell most readily on the 

 markets, and then select those most suitable for the soil and climate. 



Fencing. 

 The orchard should be securely fenced in order to protect it fi'om damage 

 by stock. Where rabbits and hares are prevalent, wire netting will be 

 necessary. This should be sunk in the ground to a depth of 6 inches, it 

 should not be less than three feet high, and the mesh should not be larger 

 than li inch. All gates should shut closely. Even with these precautions 

 a constant watch should be kept for any rabbits or hares that may get inside 

 the fences, so that they can be destroyed before they damage the trees. 



Pruning. 



If this work is pushed through early, the winter ploughing can be pro- 

 ceeded with in good time, and it will be possible to pay full attention to the 

 early spring spraying. 



When pruning the peach it should be remembered that it chiefly crops on 

 the previous year's laterals, and not on old spurs ; thus it is necessary to keep 

 up a yearly supply of young laterals. This can be done if the old laterals 

 are taken out regularly each winter pruning ; young laterals will then start 

 from the dormant buds at their bases. Care should be taken when cutting 

 out the old laterals not to cut close enough to damage the dormant buds. In 

 a season when there is a bad showing of fruit buds, it will be necessary to 

 leave some of the two-year-old laterals that are carrying sub-latei-als, or tem- 

 porary spurs showing such buds, but this is to be avoided as much as possible, 

 for the longer the laterals are allowed to remain after the second year the 

 harder it is for the dormant buds at the base to start into growth. If the 

 trees have been topped the previous pruning, it will probably be necessary for 

 a number of leader's to be thinned out this season, for if the top is allowed to 

 become too thick the trees will not readily furnish fresh laterals along the 



