lo July, 191 i. Orchard and Garden Notes. 487 



WRere suitable drainage is not provided, the tree roots are compelled to 

 remain in the few inches of surface soil. Their feeding area is thus ex- 

 tremely limited ; and when, at any time, rain-water does filter and pene- 

 trate through the soil, it carries with it the soluble nitrates and other plant 

 foods, below the reach of the tree roots. 



Soil ventilation is only possible with a system of drainage, and air is as 

 necessary to the roots of a tree as it is to the foliage. By the removal of 

 the surplus water and the consequent admission of air into the soil, the soil 

 temperature is rendered far more equable — warmer in winter and spring, 

 and cooler in summer; and such a change must be beneficial to the trees. 



Drainage is thus an essential for all orchard lands. Where natural 

 drainage occurs, the orchardist is fortunate; but, whether natural or arti- 

 ficial, a system of drainage will always materially increase the crop of 

 fruit, strengthen the trees, and considerablv add to their term of life. 



Drainage schemes should be carried out at the present season of the 

 year. In closed drains, such drainage media as cinders, charcoal, stones, 

 brushwood, timber, logs, or tile pipes mav be used, but the latter generally 

 give more satisfactory and permanent results ; they are also less liable to 

 silting up than any of the other materials. 



Drains should be placed into the clav. if this be not too deep ; in any 

 case, they should alwavs be below anv possible interference from cuUi- 

 A-ating implements. 



Pruning, Spraying, Planting. 



Pruning should now be well advanced, on the lines laid down in last 

 month's orchard notes. All prunings should be burned as soon as possible. 



Spraying for scales, mites, and aphis should not be neglected, one of 

 the usual oil emulsions being used for the purpose. 



Deciduous fruit trees may now be planted, following the instructions 

 given last month. Preparation may now be made for planting citrus trees 

 in the spring. 



Vegetable Garden. 



Seedlings from the boxes or seed plots may be now planted out. Care 

 should be taken that all vegetable beds are well raised and thrown up. By 

 throwing up the soil, and thus deepening the paths and the spaces between 

 the plots, the latter are well drained, and the soil is made considerablv 

 warmer. This will greatly facilitate the growth of the young plants. 



Asparagus mav be planted ; sow .seeds of carrots, parsnips, cauliflowers, 

 onions, peas, broad beans, and tomatoes, the latter l>eing forced on in a 

 frame, .so as to obtain good plants quickly. 



Flower Garden. 



Deciduous shrubs and ro.ses may l)e now planted out ; their situations 

 should f)e well firaiiied, and all maiun-c should be well incorporated with 

 the soil. 



All shrui).s that i)niduce flowers on their new young growths, including 

 roses, should now be pruned, ('are should be taken U) distinguish l)etween 

 tho.se .shrubs that flower on the new wood, and tho.se that flower on the wood 

 of past season's growth. 'I'ho.se that flower on the new w<iod, and may be 

 pruned now, are Lasiandra, Lantana, Cestrum, Hydraiigi-a. Tecoma, 

 PUmibago, Krythrina (sonn^ species), i'^t. ; while those that should not Ix' 

 touched at pn-sent are SpnaM. l-.rythrina (some sjjecies). /'\rt/s Jdponica, 

 Weigelia. PrioiHS />issardi. /'. iinnii, Deut/ia. ( Vanothus. Polygala. &c. 

 It is a safe rule, in pruning shrubs, to w.iit until thev h.we flow<'red Ix^fore 



