Oct. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 749 



Spraying. 



Though some of the early blossoming varieties of apples and pears — especi- 

 ally on the coast — may have required attention before this, the bulk of the 

 apples and pears will only be ready for their first or calyx application of lead 

 arsenate early this month. The idea of this application is to lodge some 

 of this poison in the calyx, and the nozzle-man should remember this, moving 

 his nuzzle systematically along each branch of the tree, and also turning it so 

 that the spray hits the open calyx direct. 



If this season is wet, lime-svilphur at summer strength for apples and pears 

 should be combined with the first lead arsenate spray, in districts where 

 black spot of apple and pear are prevalent. It should also be noted that 

 lime-sulphur should not be used as a summer spray on Trevitt apples nor ou 

 Williams pears on the coast. Bordeaux mixture may be used instead of lime- 

 sulphur in conjunction with lead arsenate, though it will cause more or less 

 russetting of the fruit. Williams pears grown on the tablelands stand, 

 summer applications of lime-sulphur. 



In making the later applications of lead arsenate, following the first or 

 calyx application, it is often found that the spray dries in beads instead of 

 forming a protective film over the surface of the apple. The experiment of 

 soap as a spreader was again tested on an extensive scale by theorchardist at 

 Bathurst Experiment Farm, and again showed superior protection from codlin 

 moth, and caused no injury eitlier to fruit or foliage. The mixture used at 

 Bathurst Experiment Farm was as follows : — 4 lb. lead arsenate, 8 lb. soft 

 soap, ^ pint concentrated nicotine extract, 80 gallons of water. 



Equally good results were obtained when 6 lb. of hard soap were used in 

 place of 8 lb. of soft soap. As it has been proved in the laboratory that soap 

 added to a lead arsenate mixture causes a reaction, setting arsenic free, the 

 soap should for safety be dissolved in a portion of the 80 gallons of water 

 and added while the agitator is working and just before the spray is to- 

 be used. The mixture should be used at once, and not held for any length 

 of time. 



Where peach aphis is showing, spray with tobacco wash (home-made) or 

 one of the commercial extracts. The spray should be applied at high pres- 

 sui'e, and lavishly, holding the nozzle close up to the parts affected, and if 

 within two or three days after first application any aphis remain alive, repeat 

 the operation. This is most important, as the a])his breeds very quickly, and 

 if the second spray is not repeated within two or three days they will bi'eed 

 up as quickly as they are killed and never be got under. 



Where black-spot of the vine is prevalent, and if the weather is favourable, 

 spraying should be candied out as directed in these notes last month. Sul- 

 phuring should also be carried out for oidium. 



Watch for early signs of the pear and cherry tree slug. If detected early, 

 the cherry trees can be sprayed with lead arsenate before the fruit is too 

 forward, but if the attack, as often occurs, starts when the fruit is colouring,^ 

 spraying has to be delayed till the crop is harvested. 

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