256 Journal of Agriculture. [8 April, 1908. 



THE ORCHARD. 



James Lang, Harcourt. 



The weather still continues dry, and a good downfall of rain is very 

 much required to enable orchardists and farmers to get on with necessary 

 work. 



The export of apples will cease early in the month, so that orchardists 

 will be enabled to start gathering the crop of apples and pears for storing. 

 Apples and pears seem to be maturing earlier this vear ; growers will need to 

 be on the lookout, and pick each variety as it is ready, and so avoid un- 

 due waste through the fruit falling off. Great care should be exercised 

 in gathering the fruit ; handle carefully, and put all that are bruised and 

 blemished in cases by themselves to be sold at once. It will pay to do 

 this, as the .sound fruit will keep much better, and for a longer time, and 

 can then be sent to market as required. 



Where it is intended to sow ipeas in the orchard for green manuring, 

 the ground should be ploughed as soon as practicable. It is essential for 

 the success of the crop that the peas should be sown as early as possible, 

 while the ground is warm. They will then get a good start before the 

 cold weather sets in and a good growth to plough in during the spring 

 will be assured. The sowing of the peas should not be delayed after the 

 middle of May, as that is the latest that peas can be sown with any prospect 

 of success. If sown later, thev fail to make a good start and do not 

 make sufficient headway to do anv good by the time they should be 

 ploughed in. 



Red spider has been very much in evidence on the fruit trees during 

 the summer. Its presence can be noticed by the leaves of the trees be- 

 coming pale green and yellow in colour, with a very glazy appearance; in 

 bad cases the leaves burn off altogether. This pest is best dealt with dur- 

 ing the winter months when the trees are bare of leaves ; emulsions made 

 Avith kerosene, red oil, or crude petroleum, are all very effective remedies. 

 As the spider harbors on the underside of the branches and .small fruit 

 spurs, it will be necessary to spray so that the underside of the branches 

 gets the full benefit of the emulsion. 



Towards the end of the month is a good time to plant citrus fruits of 

 all kinds. If the ground is dry, give a good .soaking with water. 



Strawberries should be planted as soon as the weaTher is fa\orable. 

 Plantations are better if renewed exerv three years. 



Preparing ground for extending the orchard, or for the planting of a 

 new orchard, should be taken in hand as soon as possible. This work is 

 liest done before the ground gets too wet. Draining, where necessary, 

 should also receive attention. 



