Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W.^ 611 



Orchard Notes, 



September. 



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



Spraying of Stone Fruits. 



As the last few montns have been rather wet, there is a chance of an out- 

 break of curl leaf among peaches. A warning was given last month to spray 

 with lime-sulphur in the dormant stage. Except in very moist climates the 

 same treatment will delay the development of rust and shot-hole fungus to a 

 sufficient extent to render these diseases practically harmless. In localities 

 very near the sea, shot-hole and rust are more difficult to control, and an 

 application of Bordeaux mixture (6-4-50") can be given at the pinking stage. 



Apples and Pears. 



As sap is rising early this season in many districts, September will be too 

 late for further plantings. 



It will be necessary about the end of this month to spray some of the 

 early blossoming varieties of apples and pears ; as a preventive to black-spot, 

 either lime-sulphur or Bordeaux mixture should be used. Good results have 

 been obtained by using these sprays when the buds are first opening, before the 

 pinking stage is actually reached. We again recommend using departmental 

 formula for lime-sulphur at the pinking stage — 1 in 28, and 1 in 34 in the 

 later sprayings. Bordeaux mixture should be used at 6-4-50 strength for 

 the pinking and later stages. 



The first spraying for codlin moth must be given about the same time as 

 the second application for black spot — when the petals fall and before the 

 calyx closes. 



Recent experiments in the departmental orchards have shown that, though 

 iron sulphide will control mildew of apple, in some seasons it seriously 

 checks the growth of both tree and fruit, and for this reason its use is no 

 longer recommended. Atomic sulphur, on the other hand, has given control, 

 and has not shown any checking influence on trees or fruit. The same 

 experiments have shown that the first application should be made from spur- 

 bursting to pinking period, followed by applications combined with each 

 arsenate of lead spray. 



Owing to the absence of outbreaks of black spot of apple, the Department 

 has not been able in these experiments to determine whether atomic sulphur 

 gives any control or not over the latter disease ; experiments are being 

 continued in order to determine this, or whether a combined fungicide can be 

 used to control both these apple diseases. Experiments are also being 

 continued with another precipitated sulphur, which gives promise of being 

 very similar in its action to atomic sulphur, and cheaper to use. 



