Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. 599 



Orchard Notes* 



August. 



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



" Spraying. 



From observations made in many districts, it is only too apparent that this 

 year growers will be confronted with a considerable amount of San Jose 

 scale, accompanied, probably, by such diseases as curl leaf of peach and 

 shot-hole fungus of apricot. This being so, it will be necessary to pay 

 constant attention to spraying. 



It has been found that the use of lime-sulphur is most effective in checking 

 the pest and diseases mentioned, but care should be taken to see that it is 

 applied at the proper time. Spraying for San Jose scale should be carried 

 out immediately the pruning has been completed, and it is advisable to give 

 a, second application before the buds burst. The same advice applies to 

 peach trees, which are liable to be attacked by curl leaf, and to apricot trees, 

 which may be subject to shot-hole fungus. A third spraying, with Boi'deaux 

 mixture for shot-hole fungus may be given after the fruit has set. 



Miscible spraying oils have been used for combating San Jose scale with 

 some success, but under some conditions they have completely failed. This 

 is very hard to account for, but the fact remains that even after a lapse of 

 fourteen days after spraying, the scale was still alive. In cases where it is 

 found that the miscible oil has failed, the trees should be given a spraying 

 with lime-sulphur, which, taking everything into consideration, lime-sulphur 

 has generally proved more effective for this particular pest than has 

 miscible oil. 



It has been the custom to use miscible oil for the control of woolly aphis> 

 but care should be taken to ascertain that the sap is moving before the oil is 

 applied, otherwise it has a tendency to cauterise the bark. Concentrated 

 nicotine solution is held in high esteem by many growers. It is a most 

 ' effective spray and in no way injurious, but it is expensive. An advantage 

 possessed by this spray is that it may be applied during the growing season 

 and may be used in conjunction with other sprays such as lime-sulphur, 

 Bordeaux mixture, or arsenate of lead. 



Citrus Trees. 



If miscible oils are used for the purpose of destroying scale on citrus trees, 

 they should not be applied in very cold weather. The branches of the trees 

 should be trimmed so as to allow the penetration of the spray, and also to 

 admit sufficient light to mature and develop the wood. 



