366 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo June, 1911, 



Many private growers are under the impression that once a variety is 

 worked upon a blight-proof stock it becomes immune against all disease. 

 The following will explain the term " worked upon blight-proof stocks " :— 

 In past years, the apple was propagated chiefly upon seedling stocks raised 

 from selected varieties. Being non-blight-proof, they were in due course 

 attacked by Woolly Aphis. This insect, working below as well as above 

 ground, gave growers a busy time. Finally, they found it impossible to 

 ward off an attack from the roots for any lengthy period. The roots 

 being the vital_ part and suffering mostly, the trees soon became debilitated, 

 and in many instances died out. 



The introduction of two blight-proof varieties (Winter Majetin from 

 England, and Northern Spy from America), by Messrs. Lang and Co.. 

 nurserymen, proved a boon to apple-growers ' As the roots were free 

 from attack, the growers were able to combat it above ground. The reader 

 will recognise from this that, by working a ^'ariety upon a blight-proof 

 stock, it means " not subject to blight below the bud or graft," and not 

 immunity for the whole tree. 



Layering. — Undoubtedly the best method 

 for raising Spy stocks is from layers or stools. 

 Once they are established and properly 

 managed, they will produce well-roofed stocks 

 with straight stems for many years. 



Mark off the prepared soil with the number 

 of rows to be planted 4 feet or 5 feet apart. 

 Place the garden line in position and work the 

 soil back to the centre of the rows from bnth 

 sides of the line, forming a slight depression. 

 Lift the line, draw taut, replace, and open 

 out a grip down the middle of the depression. 

 Then plant the spy stocks selected from layers 

 or stools ; failing these, from root-grafts. 



Plant 2 feet apart in the rows early in 

 June, and mix a little bonedust with the soil 

 before filling in. In August, cut back to 

 within an inch of the ground-level, so as to get 

 a supply of buds near or below the soil to 

 push out. The following August cut back to two buds any weak or 

 light growth, pegging down the stronger parallel with the row or other 

 planted stocks. The buds upon the pegged-down growths, being now 

 brought into a vertical position, will send up a sufficient supply of shoots 

 for working upon sound lines. About November, mould them up lightly 

 by removing some of the higher soil from the middle of the rows. During 

 the following winter remo\^e soil about the layers and cut away any light 

 shoots that may have rooted, hardening back others close to the main 

 layer. 



The propagator should not be too eager in removing rooted shoots from 

 the main layers until after the fourth season, but will be repaid by cutting 

 hard back, forming good well-rooted crowns for future use. From now 

 out the operator wfll require to use his own judgment regarding the growths 

 he cuts hard back, and those he leaves for pegging down after removing 

 any that may be rooted. In the winter mould up after cutting away any 

 rooted stocks and the pegging-dowm is finished, and again in November or 

 December. Deep or over-moulding should be avoided. 



12. CUT SCION SHOWING 

 DIFFERENT PARTS OF TREE. 



