192 Journal of Agriculture. [9 March, 1908. 



THE ORCHARD. 



James Lang. Harcourt. 



The weather still continues very dry, and if rain dees not soon fall, 

 the late apples will not be as satisfactory in regard to size as they gave 

 promise of some time ago ; a break of the dry weather may, however, 

 occur at any time. On account of the excessive heat the present summer 

 has been a peculiarlv trying one; a good deal of the fruit has been 

 scorched on the trees, and the growth has not been as satisfactory as 

 it might have Ijeen. Another spraying for Codlin Moth should be given 

 at once, as a late brood of the moths is now hatching out ; this spraying 

 will also help to keep the late apples clean. Many growers complain that 

 spraying has not been so effective this yeaj- as last. This may be accounted 

 for by the very light crop of apples in most orchards. With a light crop, 

 spraving is much more difficult than when the trees are bearing good crops, 

 because the foliage covers most of the young fruit, especially when it is 

 very small, so that in many cases the spray does not reach it. Another 

 cause of the apparent increase of grubs is that a light crop shows a much 

 larger percentage of infected fruit than a heavv crop does, although the 

 total quantity of grubs may be considerably less. 



Bitter pit is not so much in evidence this season as usual. This may 

 perhaps be owing to the very dry spring and summer. Last year we had 

 an excessively wet spring and summer, and the season was one of the 

 worst for bitter pit the writer has known. This may point to the fact 

 that climatic influence has a good deal to do with the appearance of 

 bitter pit. It will take a few years' observation to say whether the theory 

 is correct or not. Mr. McAlpine, vegetable pathologist, recommends half 

 a bushel of air-slacked lime to trees that are effected with bitter pit. the 

 lime to be spread evenly over the surface of the ground as far as the 

 branches extend. 



The export of apples will not be so large this year as it w-as last ; 

 still there is likely to te a fairly large quantity of all the leading kinds 

 shipped. A fair quantity of pears should also be tried ; last year the 

 pears turned out uncommonly well. The shipping companies are now 

 making better provision for carrying this class of fruit in cool chambers, 

 separate from the apples, and at a much lower temperature. Mr. J. B. 

 Thomas, fruit broker, of Covent Garden, London, who has just paid a 

 visit to Victoria, says that pears will always command high prices in 

 London, provided that they are landed in good condition. He hopes to 

 see the time when the earlier pears, such as William's Bon Chretien, will 

 be shipped in large quantities, and he feels sure that the prices thev will 

 realize will be very remunerative to the growers. 



Budding may still be done, provided the bark of the stocks runs easily. 

 A good soaking of water, two days before budding is done, will put the 

 stock in good condition for the operation. 



