648 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Sept., 1911- 



Cherries. — February and March. 



Loquats (on Quince stocks). — Middle of February to the middle of April. 



Medlars (on Quince stocks). — February to the middle of April. 



Nectarines and Peaches. — Middle of February to the middle of April. 



Pears. — Middle of January to the middle of March. (On Quince stocks), — 

 February to the middle of April. 



Plums. — February to the middle of April. 



Quinces — February to the middle of April. 



Walnuts. — ^January, February, March. With early budding, this will vary some- 

 what, according to the seasons and the ripening of the buds. 



{To be continued). 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pescott. Principal. Horticultural School, Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



There are iiidication.s that the present .sea.son will be an early one ; for, 

 at the time of Avriting (loth August) early flowering peaches, plums, and" 

 pears were opening their blossom. That the season has been an abnormal 

 one is shown by the fact that, at the same time, some apple and apricot 

 trees are still carrying their last .sea.son's foliage. There is ample evidence, 

 from the abundance of the buds, that the coming season will be a pro- 

 ductive one. 



The advent of September always brings abundant work in the orchard; 

 ploughing, manuring, grafting, spraying for black spot, peach aphis, and 

 leaf curl, and planting of citrus trees, all need attention. 



Spring Ploughing. 



The orchard should receive its spring ploughing at once; and it is 

 important that this should not be delayed. Early ploughing is always much 

 more easily done, and it is no trouble afterwards to work up a good loose 

 surface. The longer the ploughing and cultivation are delayed, the harder 

 the work becomes, and the greater the loss of water from the soil. A 

 level, well tilled, and loose surface, free from clods, and free from irre- 

 gularities is what is needed in summer. 



Where leguminous cover crops are in full flower, these should be 

 ploughed in at once. If the crop be a heavy one, it may be rolled or 

 mowed, before it is ploughed in. 



Spraying. 



Peach aphis will be making its appearance, if it has not already done 

 SG. As .soon as it appears, frequent .sprayings with a nicotine solution will 

 be required to keep it in check. It is advisable to spray early, and to- 

 spray a second time a few hours after the first spraying has been com- 

 pleted. After the first spraying, the aphides that remain alive generally 

 endeavour to find a more congenial position. These moving ones, as well 

 as the weakened ones, are then readily dealt with by the .second application. 

 Red oil emulsion should not be used, as this is only a winter spray. 



As soon as the flower buds of the apple and pear are opening, these 

 trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture for black «pot. Peach and 

 nectarine trees will need a Bordeaux spraying for leaf curl ; and plum trees 

 also, for plum or prune rust. -v. .. 



There are a number of Bordeaux pastes on the market, and there is 

 ]io doubt that the use of these ready made sprays will become very popular, 



