THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 339 



NOTES FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 



By Geo. P. Weldon, Chief Deputy State Commissioner of Horticulture. 



County Horticultural Couiinissioner Kerchival of Sacramento 

 County and his assistants recently conducted a spraying demonstration 

 with atomic sulphur, for the control of the almond mite {Bryohia pra- 

 tensis), and red spider {Teiranychus himaculafus). The orchard 

 selected was in the Orangevale section, where the presence of these mites 

 has resulted in considerable danuige to the crop. A goodly number of 

 orchardists was present to witness the demonstration. An examination 

 of the sprayed trees by Mr. Kerchival and the writer, ten days after 

 spraying, showed that the treatment had been very effective. No living 

 brown mites were seen on sprayed trees, and only a very few immature 

 forms of the red spider, but dead ones were abundant. Unsprayed trees 

 in the same orchard have a severe infection of the latter pest, as well 

 as much of the brown mite. 



Farm Adviser and County Horticultural Commissioner Hecke, of 

 Yolo County, assisted by his deputy. ^Ir. Searls, is carrying on a prun- 

 ing experiment with apricots at Winters. In this famous apricot section 

 there has been developed a low, wine glass sliaped type of tree, which 

 possesses several advantages. The fi-uit is easily picked from such trees, 

 it ripens early because the sun has a chance to reach it, and spraying is 

 greatly facilitated. There has, however, been some complaint of serious 

 sun scald, too much water sprout growth, and a low tonnage because of 

 the practice. .Mr. Hecke desire.s to find out for ccn'tain in regard to 

 some of the points of contention. Some trees will be summer pruned 

 only, others will be pruned in the dormant season. Very heavy pruning 

 will be compared with lighter pruning, and the best type of tree possible 

 will be developed. This work is certainly commendable and results 

 should be of interest to apricot growers everywhere. 



County Horticultural Commissioner Rutherford, of ^Modesto, reports 

 ii, melon Ijlight to be very connnon on vines of his county. The trouble 

 occurs principally on fields that have been cropped to melons for several 

 consecutive seasons. 



A recent visit to Fresno County convinced the writer that the new 

 commissioner, Fred P. Roullard, is awake to the great opportunities for 

 service in his county. His office has been equipped in splendid shape, 

 reorganization of the work has begun and is being aided greatly by the 

 supervisor. 



