334 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [jo May, 1911. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pescott, Principal, School oj Horticulture, Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



Cultivation. 

 Cultivation work should be well on the way by this time. The plough- 

 ing should be advanced, so as to leave plenty of time for other orchard 

 work. The autumn ploughing may be as rough as possible, taking care 

 to plough to the trees, so that the drainage furrow is left between the 

 rows. 



Manuring. 

 It is just probable, where heavy crops have been carried, that a top 

 dressing of stable manure wall be required to add humus to the soil. A 

 remarkably heavy crop of pears has been produced this year, and the trees 

 will likely require a stimulant for next season. The fertility of the soil 

 must be maintained ; and, although stable and chemical manures as a 

 general rule are of undoubted value as tree stimulants, well cultivated and 

 thoroughly tilled land will always carry fair crops, and with far less 

 manure than otherwise. Also, if the orchard land is well and thoroughly 

 drained, cultivated, and subsoiled, any manures that are used will be far 

 more beneficial to the trees. The more suitable conditions that are given 

 to the trees, the better they can appreciate and assimilate their food. 



Perhaps the most useful and valuable of manures is stable manure. 

 It is of great use, not only as a manure and as an introducer of necessary 

 bacteria into the soil, but its value in adding humus to the soil is incalcul- 

 able. Organic matter, such as stable manure, introduced into the soil, 

 quickly becomes humus ; this greatly ameliorates and improves soil con- 

 ditions. It is impossible to say what quantity of stable manure is neces- 

 sary per acre ; that alone can be determined by each circumstance. Orchards 

 ir different climates, and on various soils, will require differing quantities. 

 A too liberal use of stable manure will be over-stimulating in most cases ; 

 while an excess beyond what is necessary for present use, will only be 

 waste, as humus is readily lost from the soil, once it is in an available 

 food form. 



It has been pointed out in these notes previously, in September, 1910, 

 that an improved physical soil condition is far more profitable to the fruit 

 grower, than the continued use of manures. A tree will be far more pro- 

 ductive if it is happy in its soil conditions ; uncomfortable conditions will 

 always result in unprosperous trees. 



A dressing of lime, using about 4 or 5 cwt. per acre, is of great value 

 in stiff or heavy orchard lands ; and it may be given at this season. The 

 lime, which must be fresh, should be distributed in small heaps between 

 the trees, covered with a layer of soil, and allowed to remain for a few 

 days before ploughing or harrowing in. 



Pests. 



The advice given last month for spraying should be followed, par- 

 ticularly where any oil emulsions or washes are to be used. 



Orchards will benefit if an attack is now made upon the Codlin Moth. 

 All hiding places, nooks and crannies, wherever the larvae have hidden, 

 should be thoroughly searched and cleaned out. The orchardist has far 

 more time now to do this work, than he will have in the springtime. 



