354 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



SPRAYING FOR BLACK SPOT OF THE APPLE. 



By D. 2IcAlpine. 



Ill the anuual report given in tlie September Journal the general 

 scope of these experiments was noted, and such results recorded as 

 were likely to be of service at the spi-aying season. The earliest 

 opportunity is taken to render a detailed account of the experimental 

 work carried out during the season 1902-03^ in the endeavour to 

 improve our methods, and to test some of the particular mixtures on 

 a large scale. 



There were two special sets of experiments conducted — the one 

 principally to see how far certain additions to the Bordeaux mixture 

 rendered it more effective, and the other to test certain mixtures on a 

 commercial scale, as well as arranging a plant for conveniently 

 spraying a large orchard. The one set of experiments was cai-ried 

 out at Mr. A. F. Thielc's orchard, Doncaster, and the other, together 

 with corroborative experiments to those at Dcnicaster, at Mr. D. 

 8yme's Killara. 



I.— Doncaster Experiments. 



Spr.iying for black spot and other fungus diseases has now 

 become such a recognised practice in the best orchards, that it is no 

 longer a question of spraying, but rather of the best form in which to 

 use the Bordeaux mixture, and the best means of applying it. 

 Orchardists are constantly asking me if the addition of this or that 

 ingredient will improve the mixture, and the only definite way in 

 which to obtain an answer to the question is to try the various 

 modified mixtures experimentally in the orchard f(»r several seasons. 



Mr. Thiele, who deservedly obtained' the Lpader prize for the best 

 kept orchard of the Doncaster district, again kindly placed both his 

 orchard and his services at my disposal. 



The variety of apple chosen for experiment was Yates, on account 

 of its well-known susceptibility to black spot, and there were nine 

 sprayed plots, and one check of two trees each. A reproduction of 

 this apple by the three color process accompanies this article. On 

 account of the labour and time involved in checking results, only a 

 limited number of trees can be used. Only one spraying ^was given 

 on 1st October, just as the blossom-buds had spread out and were 

 showing colour at the tips. The nature and results of the experiments 

 are shown in the following table : — 



