2o6 Joiirjial of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Mar., 191 i^ 



drainage may be delayed for a few years, if the other initial expenses are- 

 extensive, it must again be emphasized that proper subsoiling cannot be- 

 carried out after the trees are planted. 



Green Manures. 

 If a cover crop of leguminous plants is required for green manuring, a 

 staft at planting may now be made. This can only be done when all of 

 the fruit has been gathered from the trees. An early crop is a distinct 

 advantage. The co\-er crop should make good growth before winter .sets 

 in, as the plants make very little headway in the cold weather, and they 

 require to be ploughed in as soon as the ground is dry enough in early 

 spring. It will thus be .seen that it is necessary to get a good autumn 

 growth, as dense as possible, and one which will well cover the surface 

 before winter. 



Ctjltivation. 



Should the Vv-eather become hot and dry, it will be \exy necessary to give- 

 the land surface a good stirring, so as to conserve the great amount of 

 water supplies that the ground received in January and February. Where 

 fruit crops ha\e been gathered, a start may be made, late in the month, 

 with the autumn ploughin^^ : \\ hate\'er ploughing is done should be left as- 

 rough as possible. 



CoDLiN Moth. 



Where late fruits are grown, or where there is a possibility of late- 

 attacks of this pest, a final spraving with arsenate of lead may be given. 

 Reports of the use of chromate of lead in India, in place of arsenate of 

 lead, have been recently published. It is stated that where the Codliii' 

 Moth has obtained a foothold in India, it is impossible, owing to climatic 

 influences, to use arsenate of lead, as it burns the trees severely. So 

 chromare of lead is used in its place, reputedly with good results. 



On the suggestion of the Chemist for Agriculture, a block was set apart 

 in the Burnley Orchards to test its value and efficiency. The only point 

 in favour of the chromate of lead is tiie ease with which its presence is 

 noticeable on the foliage and fruit. Wherever sprayed, it leaves bright 

 yellow blotches and spots. Otherwise, its success as an insecticide is 

 absent. In the block sprayed, about an eighth of one orchard, there were 

 more Codlin larvae infested apples than in the whole of the remaining 

 portions. 



Peach Aphis. 



It may appear somewhat early to think of dealing with this pest. But 

 our knowledge of its habits and the necessary sprays to combat it is in- 

 creasing every year ; and it is nvjst apparent that, if the pest is to be 

 attacked with a red oil emulsion, the mixture must be used earlier than 

 hitherto. 



It is recognised that one of the easiest and most useful methods of 

 dealing with this pest is to spray the trees in their dormant stage with red 

 oil emulsion. In orchards where, some years ago, half-a-dozen sprayings 

 with a nicotine spray were given, often with very little visible effect, a 

 mar\ellous change has been effected bv the use of red oil in winter. One 

 spraying has been effecti\"e in almost clearing out this pest ; and where the 

 aphides ha-\"e reappeared in the spring time, their numbers have been so 

 small, that a light spraying with nicotine solution has been all that is 

 necessary. This applies to both green and black aphis. 



