900 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. 



likelihood of the major portion being destroyed by codlin moth, as it is 

 next to impossible to spray thoroughly all the fruit when apples and pears 

 are growing in clusters. It is essential from every point of view, therefore, 

 that the fruit should be thinned out. If a very heavy crop of fruit is left on 

 a tree there is a tendency to exhaust the tree, and, not only will the result 

 be inferior fruit, but probably a failure on the part of the tree to produce 

 next season. 



Do not neglect spraying with arsenate of lead. Many of our late varieties 

 of apples are destroj^ed by the codlin moth through failure to give late applica- 

 tions of arsenate ; this has been very noticeable in such late varieties as 

 Granny Smith. 



If fruit-fly should make its appearance, all infested fruit should be 

 destroyed, so as to assist, as far as possible, in keeping this pest in check. 



Vines. 



As the past season has been wet, followed by showers during the spring, 

 it is very pi'obable that such fungus diseases as black spot and downy 

 mildew will be prevalent. Downy mildew, unfortunately, only makes its 

 presence known about the time when the vines are blossoming or the fruit is 

 just set. When this disease is detected immediate steps should be taken to 

 spray, using Bordeaux mixture at summer strength. It may be necessary, 

 if weather conditions are favourable for the production of these fungus 

 spores, to continue spraying until the crops are ready for harvesting. 



Tropical Fruit. 



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 piomote rapid growth and fine fruit. While the plants are young, 

 cultivation must be thorough, but not deep enough to cut the feeding roots 

 which are near the surface. 



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

 season. 



Seed Maize and Birds 



A FARMER who suffers a good deal by the depredations of crows and 

 parrots among young maize, informed the Department lately that he always 

 coated his seed maize with a mixture consisting of 1 pint coal tar and 1 pint 

 hot water to 1 bushel of seed, He wished to know if his method were sound. 



He w^as informed, in reply, that the method was quite effective. After 

 treatment, the seed can be dusted with lime or dust to dry it for sowing by 

 machine. 



Another method of protecting a field of young maize is thoroughly to soak 

 or boil a quantity of maize grain, and to add about | oz strychnine or 1 lb. 

 arsenic to a kerosene tin of swollen maize. Scatter the grain thinly over 

 the field. — H. Wenholz, Inspector of Agriculture. 



