Journal of Agriculture. Victoria, [lo April, 191 i. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Fescott, Principal. School of If orticnlturc , Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



Gathering and Storing Apples and Pears. 



The principal work this month will be the gathering and storing of 

 apples and pears. Stored fruit needs more attention and care than that 

 gathered for immediate sale. The fruits should be carefully handled, 

 and not thrown about in any way, nor should it be bruised. No cracked 

 or injured fruit should be allowed in the storage room. Owing to the 

 excessively wet season, a greater percentage than usual of cracked and 

 split fruit is present, and this will very speedily rot. It should be dis- 

 posed of at once. 



Such varieties as Rokewood, Schroeder's Apfel, Shockley, Yates, 

 Rome Beauty, Stone Pippin, and Mellon's Seedling are all good keepers, 

 and useful for storage purposes. The latter apple is winning its way 

 among orchardists, and it is a desirable apple for the late local markets. 

 In its natural home, at Dunolly, where it was raised some years ago, it 

 keeps very late; and, in many instances, is Cjuite sound early in November. 

 In other districts, and grown on richer soils, it does not seem to retain 

 its keeping characteristics. Another point in its favour is that at present 

 it has shown no signs of Bitter Pit. 



Spraying. 



Owing to the excessive rains developing and encouraging the Plum 

 Rust, many stone fruit trees, particularly plums, have lost a very large 

 percentage of their foliage. Such trees mav now be s])rayed with an oil 

 emulsion wherever Scale or Bryobia Mite is at all jDrevalent. Apple 

 and pear trees whose crops have been gathered may also be sprayed with 

 the emulsion, wherever Scale, Bryobia Mite. Woolly Aphis, or Pear 

 Phytoptus has previously shown itself. 



Green Manuring. 



If not already done, and tlie orchard conditions demand it, there is 

 still time to put in a leguminous crop for green manuring purposes. But 

 this should be done as early as possible, so as to give the crop a chance 

 to make some good early growth. 



Soils deficient in humus, or in organic matter, are always benefited 

 by a crop of green manures. Where stable manure is unprocurable, 

 the green manure crop is the only means of adding any organic matter to 

 the soil. 



Drainage. 



The present season has shown the great necessity for drainage. It is 

 true that the rainfall has been phenomenal, and unprecedented ; but it is 

 just as likely to occur in future years, and undrained areas will suffer 

 considerably from such unusual soakings, especially at a time of the year 

 when rain is not usually experienced. It has been laid down definitely 

 that the greatest success in orchard work is not attainable unless the land 

 has a thorough system of under-drainage. This is proved by experience; 

 and now is the time to carry out this work. If done now, the drains will 

 be in a position to carry away any surplus rain that may come in the 

 ensuing winter. 



Drains should be set well into the clay, and l)elow all possible culti- 

 vation depth. The opening or first inlet to the drain should be well pro- 

 tected, preferably by wire netting or a flower pot. both if they are avail- 



