Departmental Activities, 



117 



POTCHEFSTROOM, TRANSVAAL. 



Horticulture in August. — The pruning of stone fruits and grape 

 vines should be finished as quickly as possible, having regard to 

 efficiency. Where trees are to be planted for orchard extension, no 

 time should be lost in completing this work, as nothing except dis- 

 appointment can be gained by delaying any longer. This month, 

 too, will offer the last chance of applying any winter spraying 

 solutions as many trees will be in blossom or leaf ere the month ends. 

 Where any doubt exists as to the correct mixture to use as a " clean 

 up " spray, the best results are to be obtained from " Capex " 

 Lime Sulphur Solution, 1 part to 10 or 15 of water. After 

 the blossoms open and green fly appears on the peaches and 

 nectarines, the only safe remedj^ is tobacco wash applied regularly. 

 August will be found the most suitable month for grafting over 

 any unsatisfactory trees to more desirable varieties. Where it is 

 intended to apply fertilizers around orchard trees, an early applica- 

 tion of finely ground bonemeal or superphosphate at the rate of 400 

 to 600 lb. per acre should be made, and harrowed or forked in. 



Students Loading Oats, Putchefstroom School of Agriculture. 



Export Oranges and Quinces. 



Commenting on a recent shipment of fruit from the Union, the 

 Trade Commissioner, London, referred to a number of cnses of oranges 

 with counts of 288. These oranges were far too small, and it is 

 strongly recommended that fruit of this kind, especially navels, 

 should not be shipped as they are most difficult to dispose of. 



A small parcel of quinces that had been received were stijl on 

 hand and were practically unsaleable, a few trays only having been 

 sold at 5s., notwithstanding that the condition of the fruit was 

 excellent. 



