512 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 August, 1907. 



THE ORCHARD. 



James Laug, Harcourt. 



Planting operations should be completed as early as possible this 

 month, especially as the weather is unusually dry for the time of the year. 

 If delayed too long the voung trees will not get fairly established before 

 the dry weather sets in, when they will make but weakly growth. Pruning 

 also should be finished as soon as possible this month, otherwise if delayed 

 until the sap begins to rise and the buds to swell the trees are weakened. 



It will be necessary to use the spray pump in order to deal with mussel 

 scale and red spider. The latter insect does far more injury to the tree 

 than many orchardists suspect, and is far more prevalent than usual this 

 season owing to the dry autumn and winter. It can be observed on the 

 underside of the small branches and fruit spurs, appearing red like brick 

 dust. Kerosene emulsion and red oil are about the best remedies to 

 destroy it. The red oil should be made into an emulsion as follows: — 

 Take an empty kerosene tin ; put in a gallon of soft w' ater and bring it to 

 boil, dissolve i lb. soft soap in it, take the can off the fire and add i gallon 

 red oil, place on the fire again, and stir continually until it just com- 

 mences to boil. Then lift off the fire and work it through a small spray 

 pump for a period of not less than three minutes and make up with cold 

 water to 15 gallons. This sprav can only be used in winter and should 

 not on any account be used in spring or summer. It is also necessary that 

 a complete emulsion should be formed, otherwise the free oil floats on top 

 and comes through the spray pump at the last, wdth the result that it 

 will most certainly kill tree and branch where it comes in contact. 



Peach trees will require spraying for Ijlack aphis. The old remedy, 

 tobacco and soft soap, is about the best to use. Put i lb. tobacco i.n a 

 tub and pour four gallons of boiling water over it, cover it over and allow 

 it to infuse for an hour or two. Then dissolve 2 lb. soft soap in 2 gallons 

 of water, add this to the tobacco water, and make up the whole to 

 20 gallons of spray. Kerosene emulsion is also good for the peach aphis. 

 Where the trees are badly affected wdth the aphis they should be sprayed 

 every week to keep it well under. 



Strawberry plantations may still be renewed ; clear off all the runners in 

 the old beds, and dig or plough between the rows. Raspberries and 

 gooseberries may still be planted, but it is not advisable to plant too late. 

 Old and worn out trees, provided the roots are healthy, can be renewed 

 by cutting them well back ; they will soon shoot again with renewed 

 vigour. If the present varieties are not suitable for market requirements, the 

 trees can be regrafted early next month with varieties better adapted to 

 locality or market purposes. 



